We at The Allen Firm are all about giving you information that you can use during this journey called life. But, we are also aware that we do not know everything and sometimes need to get information directly from the experts. The people in our community that know the area and are better equipped to guide you on certain questions. This is why we have created the “Knowledge Series”. A way for us to get the information to you, not from the lawyer point of view, but directly from the industry itself. If you have a question that you would like to see on this series, please email us at info@allenlawfirm and we will try our best to get that questioned answered for you.
We would like to welcome Heidi Olsen from Brooks Real Estate as our guest blogger for this week.
– Heidi Olsen –
Let’s face it.
Not everyone has the ability, the talent, or even the desire to design a beautiful house.
TRUE.
Not every house has the basic core structure that could support a beautiful design.
FALSE.
We’ve all, at some point in our lives, walked into what looked like an average home from the outside, only to be surprised by a breath-taking glance at gorgeous oversized furniture, long and flowing drapery, simple yet exquisite artwork placed upon ideally colored walls, and all complemented by perfectly-placed accessories. We’ve all had the similar thought that either the homeowner was incredibly wealthy, or that the house itself, was flawless.
The truth is, that house may have been beautiful, that homeowner/ designer may have been talented, but the house itself- it was, very likely, flawed.
As the daughter of a very talented Interior Designer, I’ve entered into as many of the above house scenarios as I can possibly remember. As a child, I can recall being drug around from house to house as my mother traded furniture, swapped accessories, added throw blanket’s and coordinating pillows, ironed bedding & window coverings, and stacked kitchen components. And now, as an adult and a Licensed Realtor, I walk into a house and find myself visualizing how a particular room could best be served by complementing color choice with appealing furniture and design functionality.
The art in staging a home can be of critical importance in the home selling process. Functional Interior Design can minimize unavoidable builders’ design issues by redirecting the eye in other appealing directions. For example, let’s use a 1970’s brick home that has been on the market for over a year, with no offers to speak of. The homes previous owner converted the one-car garage into the now used living room, which unfortunately contains the A/C closet, centered on the only long wall in the entire room. This added square footage created extra living space, but in doing so, it also created a chopped up wall that prevents the proper function of the homeowner’s furniture. An Interior Designer is brought in to “stage” the space in an effort to increase the odds of selling the home. With her experience in tow, the designer draws the focus away from the awkward wall by focusing attention on the connecting wall instead, and adds a faux fireplace, complete with mantle and flat screen TV capability. Throw in an oversized chair & ottoman, and a captain’s chair on the awkward wall., a loveseat, a throw rug, various end tables, accessories and other uniquely designed elements that all work together to display the full capability of the room. This is a true depiction of “staging” a home in an effort to best serve its current structural components.
If you or someone you know happens to be in the market for the Staging of a home, here are just a few tips from a gal that’s been in and out of countless houses…
*DO seek the advice of a professional. You’ll be surprised at the varied price options that are available.
*DO keep an open mind. Designers tend to think outside the box.
*DO communicate your needs to the Designer. Discuss time frame for completion, contractual terms, your responsibilities vs. theirs, and IF the Designer is willing to sell the staged furniture. Trust me… this question will be asked at some point during the listing.
*DO keep your knowledgeable Real Estate Agent updated during the Staging process. Even a change to a listed house as simple as drapery panels, if not disclosed that they do NOT convey with the sale of the house, can lead to complications between a potential Buyer, Seller and Designer.
*Do NOT run out and buy 5 gallons of red paint and repaint your walls to look like a picture you saw on Pinterest or in a home magazine. Color choice can be very personal. And yes… that IS coming from the girl with a red kitchen. 😉
*Do NOT attempt to stage your own house. Chances are, you’ve already tried your same furniture fourteen different ways in your living room alone, and you still weren’t happy with the results. You’ll want a fresh perspective on a stale situation.
*Do NOT get discouraged with the home selling/ home staging process. You fell in love with your house once upon a time for its unique charm, and someone else will too!
Heidi Olsen | Residential, Commercial and Ranch
Brooks Real Estate
254-592-2562 Direct
254-965-5051 Office
Heidi@brooks-realty.com