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	<title>Real Estate Magazine &#187; Home Staging</title>
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	<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com</link>
	<description>Guide to Investing or Buying Real Estate and Property</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:49:55 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Why You Should Stage Your Home</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/why-you-should-stage-your-home.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/why-you-should-stage-your-home.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:53:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pvc outdoor furniture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stage Your Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2475</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Home staging is becoming more and more popular. It takes the average house from being okay to being wow. It might be something you want to think about doing if you have a property sitting on the market getting no offers. Staging it will make it stand out from the rest of the competition. A [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Home staging is becoming more and more popular. It takes the average house from being okay to being wow. It might be something you want to think about doing if you have a property sitting on the market getting no offers. Staging it will make it stand out from the rest of the competition. A staged house will sell faster and when the market is hot it will sell for more as well.</p>
<p>Before you put your house up for sale you need to do some changes. You need to remove your memories from the house. If you find that hard to do, as some people are emotionally attached to a house, and if it will make you feel better revisit each room before you move your memories, take a photo of each room and make yourself a scrap book about your house. This will give you something to remember and treasure about the house. Doing this will make it easier for you to remove memories from each room.</p>
<p>Take a good and hard look at your property. Start from the outside and take notes of anything that will put a buyer off from your property. This could be cracked walls, paintwork, worn out carpet. Remember your goal is to make the buyer feel what it would be like for them to live in the house. It would be best to also remove your personal belongings from sight. As this could draw attention to your belongings rather than the property. This could be a piece of art work or designer clothing. House buyers usually talk about falling in love with a house at first sight but what they mean is falling in love with concept of living in it. So you need to stage your house in a way that a buyer will fall in love with the lifestyle your house represents.</p>
<p>Sham.S has been writing articles for nearly two years. Her latest website is about <a href="http://www.pvcoutdoorfurniture.org/" target="_new">pvc outdoor furniture</a> where you can find the best deals on pvc outdoor furniture that you are looking for.</p>
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		<title>How to Win Over Potential Buyers by Showing Your Home at Its Best</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/how-to-win-over-potential-buyers-by-showing-your-home-at-its-best.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/how-to-win-over-potential-buyers-by-showing-your-home-at-its-best.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:52:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[property disclosures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sell your home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Showing Your Home]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2473</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When a potential buyer walks into your house they can be influenced by a number of areas that will make them more &#8211; or less- likely to buy. Most of these are under your control, so you can maximize your chances of receiving an offer by making your home as welcoming and attractive as possible. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When a potential buyer walks into your house they can be influenced by a number of areas that will make them more &#8211; or less- likely to buy. Most of these are under your control, so you can maximize your chances of receiving an offer by making your home as welcoming and attractive as possible. The more your buyers can imagine themselves living there, the better your chances of getting a good offer.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re selling through a Realtor, chances are they too will suggest these few tips:</p>
<p><strong>Repairs and Cleanup:</strong> It is a good idea to make the place look as well cared for as possible. This means doing all those maintenance jobs that we all tend to put off as long as possible. Tidy up the outside of the property so that when buyers arrive they get a good first look at the place. Put away clutter, such as children&#8217;s toys or garden equipment, into a shed or garage. Repaint anything that&#8217;s looking a bit shabby, and do what you can to make sure the garden appears at its most appealing. Although it may seem unnecessary it&#8217;s a good idea to unblock your gutters, as this is something that is often brought up as a problem during the buyers professional inspection.<span id="more-2473"></span></p>
<p><strong>The Basement:</strong> Make sure that your basement is dry and clear of any mold. Dampness here is often assumed to be an indication of a major drainage or ventilation problem; even without calling in a professional to find out for sure. You may need to call a professional to deal with it, particularly if there is mold that has left a noticeable and recognizable smell. It is also important to get rid of any cobwebs and clear out any bugs as these are a sure turn off.</p>
<p><strong>Inside Light and Decor:</strong> Inside the house, make people feel more comfortable by doing a little redecoration. You may like your brightly patterned wallpaper, but replacing it with something plainer can help potential buyers imagine what it&#8217;ll look like when they&#8217;ve added their own furniture and style to the rooms. Dark and dim lightly lit rooms are a major factor in the decision making of buyers. Improve your rooms by showing them with blinds and drapes opened, stronger bulbs and extra lamps if necessary.</p>
<p><strong>Clean Well:</strong> Have a thorough clean of the whole house before you let any potential buyers visit. If you have pets it&#8217;s a good idea to leave them with friends during the visit. Some people may not appreciate your dog&#8217;s barking or having a cat leave hairs all over their clothes. They may even be afraid or allergic to animals, which will not make them want to stay for a good look at the place. The bathroom should be the focus of your cleaning. Make it as attractive as possible, remembering to unclog the drains of any hair, take out the trash and put in fresh towels.</p>
<p><strong>Pet &amp; Smoking Odors:</strong> Pets and other everyday odors can also be a big problem. Make sure you get rid of them by cleaning your carpets and, if necessary, repainting walls. Open the windows to let some fresh air in. Once you have gotten rid of the smell, stop it from coming back before you&#8217;ve reached an agreement with a buyer. You don&#8217;t want to have to clean everything again each time you show the house. If you&#8217;re a smoker, go outside. If you have a litter box for a cat, keep it somewhere that it won&#8217;t affect the rest of the house.</p>
<p><strong>Give Then Space:</strong> Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to give your buyers the space to have a proper look around. Let them have some time alone, or if you&#8217;re using a Realtor, arrange for you and your family to be out of the way when they are showing the house. Buyers generally feel very uncomfortable looking around while the current owner is in the house.</p>
<p>Looking for more advice on how to sell your home? Come visit us for more tips on how to get the best offer possible, as well as the legal requirements for <a href="http://guidestoproperty.com/67/selling-your-own-home-legal-requirements-for-property-disclosures/" target="_new">property disclosures</a>.</p>
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		<title>24 Expert Home Staging Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/24-expert-home-staging-tips.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/24-expert-home-staging-tips.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Apr 2010 10:50:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Expert Home Staging Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Staging Tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2468</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;The first step in maximizing the sale of your home is to properly prepare it to show at its best. These 24 Expert Home Staging Tips can help you in a big way in either a hot or a cold real estate market, increasing your chances of selling, the speed in which it sells, and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;The first step in maximizing the sale of your home is to properly prepare it to show at its best. These 24 Expert Home Staging Tips can help you in a big way in either a hot or a cold real estate market, increasing your chances of selling, the speed in which it sells, and the price you get.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>1.) MAKE ALL NEEDED REPAIRS</strong></p>
<p>Any small deficiency can take away from the appeal of your home to the potential buyer. A leaky bathroom faucet, a broken door bell, or peeling paint in the bathroom may seem minor to you, but these items could be a sign of overall owner neglect to the home buyer. That is why these minor problems should be either repaired, covered over, or replaced. All these signs of owner neglect must be eliminated. These items may be easily overlooked, so make sure you inspect your home thoroughly so that you can find and repair them. The best thing about these minor repairs is that they are relatively inexpensive and most you can do yourself in a short period of time.<span id="more-2468"></span></p>
<p>KEY POINT #1 &#8211; BUYERS BUY ON EMOTION: believe it or not, almost every buyer buys on emotion (you may remember when you bought your current house, it &#8220;felt good&#8221; &#8211; that&#8217;s emotion talking, not logic). The savvy homeseller looks for ways to present the house to make an emotional connection with the buyer. As the basis of the 24 Expert Home Staging Tips in this article, this is probably the most important point.</p>
<p><strong>2.) PAY ABSOLUTE ATTENTION TO THE FIRST 30 SECONDS</strong></p>
<p>There is convincing evidence that buyers make their minds up during the first 1/2 minute or so, when first viewing a property. That&#8217;s why the front walkway, steps, front door, and entrance are so important. Even if your master bedroom on the second floor is gorgeous, if a buyer is turned off by the time they get upstairs, it&#8217;s probably too late. Make sure your front walkway is clear of weeds and debris (and ice in winter!), do your best to make the entrance clean and tidy (put away extra shoes and boots), consider painting the front door (nice and shiny!) &#8211; creates a great first impression; consider replacing a rusted mailbox, and so on. If your front screen door is torn, replace the screen.</p>
<p>KEY POINT #2 &#8211; BUYERS MAKE THEIR MINDS UP QUICKLY, USUALLY IN THE FIRST 30 SECONDS: Professional marketers are paid huge sums to catch people&#8217;s interest in the first 30 seconds; they know that after that time, they either have them, or it&#8217;s too late Another key point in the 24 Expert Home Staging Tips.</p>
<p><strong>3.) CREATE THE ILLUSION OF SPACIOUSNESS</strong></p>
<p>Professional Home Stagers know that most people look for more living space when they are looking for a new home &#8211; and therefore &#8220;de-cluttering&#8221; is the first and foremost technique that they use. There are subtle ways to make your home look bigger than it really is. The first thing that you can do to make rooms appear large is by eliminating bulky, unnecessary furniture. A room having more open space appears larger than a room of the same size crowded with furniture. Also, properly placed mirrors can double the size of a room, and you may want to consider purchasing one or more of these. Take unnecessary clothing out of hall and bedroom closets, and store these elsewhere. Having extra room in your closets gives a more luxurious, prosperous feel to the home.</p>
<p><strong>4.) BRIGHTEN YOUR ROOMS</strong></p>
<p>Most people like houses with large, bright, cheerful rooms. How do you get this appearance? If you have a lot of windows, half your problem is solved. Don&#8217;t keep the blinds closed &#8211; open the drapes and let the sun shine in! If your house doesn&#8217;t receive a lot of sunshine, check outside to see if there is something cutting off your light. The solution can be as simple as clearing overgrown shrubs or just washing the windows.</p>
<p>If you have a bright room, hang new, fully mature plants in the room. This will give the impression that the room is perfect for growing beautiful plants. If you have some rooms which receive little sunlight, brighten them up with a light coloured coat of paint. Finally, one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of any room is to simply increase the wattage of the lightbulbs &#8211; the room will not only show better, it will also look bigger.</p>
<p><strong>5.) DEALING WITH AN EYESORE, WHEN YOU HAVE NO CONTROL</strong></p>
<p>Just as you accentuate the bright, clean rooms in your home, you should also hide any negative selling features. One negative selling feature could be any unsightly debris in your neighbour&#8217;s outside yard (especially something like an old car or trailer). Don&#8217;t try to hide this with heavy drapery, as this is one of the first things that the prospective buyer will look behind. Try to distort the view from the window by hanging a large plant in front of it. If you want to spend more money, you can install shutters. Make sure that the shutter still let the light shine in. Finally, depending with your relationship with your neighbours, you could ask them to clean it up!</p>
<p>KEY POINT #3 &#8211; YOUR JOB AS A SELLER IS TO MAKE THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER &#8216;RELAX&#8217; AND TO FEEL COMFORTABLE &#8216;AT HOME&#8217;: when buyers relax, they imagine themselves in the home, and that is the first step to getting an offer.</p>
<p><strong>6.) COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE</strong></p>
<p>Buyers relax and feel like buying, when they are comfortable. One terrific way to make anyone feel comfortable is to keep your house cozy and warm in winter, and luxuriously cool in summer. During the colder months, even if the house is not normally kept that warm, you don&#8217;t want to turn off the buyers by having the house too cold. People may wonder if there are problems with the insulation. It may cost a little more on your hydro or gas bill, but this is not the time to economize. The same rule applies during summer, If it is very hot outside, a nicely cool house will make potential buyers feel more comfortable. Showing off your central air conditioning is a definite selling advantage.</p>
<p><strong>7.) PLAY BACKGROUND MUSIC</strong></p>
<p>Remember Key Point #1 &#8211; Buyers buy on emotion. Music has subliminal powers. Stores pipe in soft background music to put customers in a comfortable, relaxed mood for (what else?) buying. If you choose to play music, keep the volume turned down low. Avoid playing music that overly agitates the senses, such as hard rock&#8217;n'roll. The music should be just &#8216;there&#8217;, a soothing selling feature that does not intrude upon peoples&#8217; conversation.</p>
<p><strong>8.) ELIMINATE UNPLEASANT ODORS</strong></p>
<p>Each home has its own distinct odors, some of which can negatively impact the buyer. Those to watch out for: pets, heavy smokers, cooking smells, spice. Use the best products available to get rid of these undesirable odors, and remember to &#8216;air out&#8217; the house by opening a window or two, prior to any open house or showing.</p>
<p><strong>9.) DISPLAY PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SHOW THE HOME DURING OTHER SEASONS</strong></p>
<p>If your home looks gorgeous in spring, you will have trouble conveying this to the buyer in the dead of winter. During the time you own the home, you should take pictures of the outside of the house during different seasons. Show these photos to alleviate uncertainty in the buyer&#8217;s mind.</p>
<p><strong>10.) INVEST IN A DOORMAT</strong></p>
<p>There is almost no better or cheaper way to create a good first impression than by buying a new, clean doormat. First impressions are absolutely crucial, and an old worn out doormat is a telltale sign of owner neglect. Also, a good doormat will stop mud from being tracked into your home during the show periods.</p>
<p><strong>11.) MAKE YOUR HOUSE APPEAR WELCOME</strong></p>
<p>As mentioned earlier, first impressions are vital Many people drive up to a house and then drive away immediately if they feel uncomfortable with the property&#8217;s outside appearance. Remember, some home buyers view many homes in one day, and they may feel that they can cut down on their work by not spending time viewing homes they are not comfortable with. For example, if your curtains are drawn and most of the lights are off, your house may appear like an impregnable fortress. Put lots of lights on, including the outside porch light, so that they buyer feels welcome.</p>
<p><strong>12.) HIGHLIGHT YOUR FIREPLACE</strong></p>
<p>Almost everybody loves a fireplace! If you have a fireplace, you should use it for all its worth. Season permitting, light a fire every time the house is being shown, and during open houses. A firelit room looks and smells attractive. You can also prove to people that your fireplace does actually work.</p>
<p><strong>13.) HAVE THE BEST-SMELLING HOME</strong></p>
<p>Smells can bring back many nostalgic feelings for a potential buyer. One way you can elicit this is to put some freshly baked cookies or freshly baked bread in the oven. This is an old real estate technique, but it certainly does work. You can even offer freshly baked goods to people during the open house. Another alternative is to put several drops of vanilla extract onto a piece of aluminum foil; then place this in a 250 degree oven. Turn the heat off after 10 minutes, but the aroma will linger throughout the house for hours. Another point, make sure you don&#8217;t overdo it with air deodorizers. The last thing you want is for your house to smell like Lysol. This gives the impression that you are trying to hide some unpleasant odor. The more natural your home smells, the more comfortable the buyer will feel. Potpourri is probably the best natural scent, and try to place some in a decorative bowl in key areas &#8211; the entrance hallway, the bathroom, the master bedroom.</p>
<p><strong>14.) INVEST IN A SHOWER CURTAIN</strong></p>
<p>You&#8217;d be surprised how many people get used to their old, musty shower curtains, but this is the first thing a buyer will notice upon entering the bathroom. Shower curtains are relatively cheap and they can make the room appear brighter.</p>
<p><strong>15.) PUT OUT FRESH TOWELS AND SOAP</strong></p>
<p>To accentuate the bathroom, you should put out fresh towels and new bars of soap. Most people do these things before they have guests over, so why shouldn&#8217;t you put these things out for potential buyers? To add to the effect, you can use nice, perfumed bars.</p>
<p><strong>16.) PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE BY &#8216;DE-PERSONALIZING&#8217;</strong></p>
<p>This is a tough concept for many homeowners to embrace, but professional Home Stagers know that many times, highly personal touches in any home, while they may have a strong emotional connection with the current owner, will not connect with the potential buyer, and may in fact serve to disconnect with them emotionally. For example, things like a doll collection, or a plate collection taking up an entire wall, large amounts of personal family photos displayed throughout the house, tend to prevent the buyer from identifying with the house. It&#8217;s always a good idea to remove these highly personal items from the home &#8211; the idea is to present the house for sale in a state that everyone can identify with.</p>
<p><strong>17.) USE FLOWERS TO ACCENT YOUR YARD</strong></p>
<p>Even if you do not have a green thumb, you can still dress up your property with flowers. Just go to the nearest nursery and buy fully mature plants that are ready to bloom. A little watering each week can keep these flowers up to par. Be sure to get plants that have already started blooming, and plant them close together for a collective impact. One or two pots of blooming plants on the front step or porch can add immediate charm to the home.</p>
<p>KEY POINT #4: WOMEN ALMOST ALWAYS MAKE THE HOME BUYING DECISION: sorry, men, but with heterosexual couples in North America, and even in our multi-cultural world today, women are almost always the driving force behind home buying, and almost always have the final say on which property is purchased.</p>
<p>Most of the above pointers are designed to appeal especially to women; here are a few which may appeal to both men and women</p>
<p><strong>18.) HIGHLIGHT A WORKBENCH AREA</strong></p>
<p>A properly organized workbench area can be a real selling feature for any home. Don&#8217;t leave the work area cluttered and disorganized. Tools always look great when they are neatly mounted on a wall. Also, be sure that there is adequate light in this room.</p>
<p><strong>19.) FIX UP THE DRIVEWAY</strong></p>
<p>This properly falls into the category of &#8216;first impressions&#8217;. A deteriorated driveway only spells more work for the prospective buyer. Repair cracks and potholes, pull out pesky weeds or get the driveway redone if it needs the work (spraying a new surface can be surprisingly affordable). In the winter, you should make sure the driveway is clear of snow and icy patches. The cleaner the driveway is, the easier it seems to manage to the new home owner. If the house is vacant, have a neighbourhood kid do the shovelling for you. A potential buyer will be impressed that a vacant home is so well kept.</p>
<p><strong>20.) REPLACE OR PAINT THE GARAGE DOOR</strong></p>
<p>One of the most effective things you can do to give your home &#8216;curb appeal&#8217; is to put on a fancy garage door. This is a relatively easy way to add a lot of class to an otherwise dull property. Also, garage doors are prime candidates for a fresh coat of paint. A nice, shiny semi-gloss adds immediate appeal to any home, and can be done in an afternoon.</p>
<p><strong>21.) KEEP THE YARD IN GOOD SHAPE</strong></p>
<p>Keep your trees and hedges trimmed, keep your lawn well manicured, keep the grass well watered, edge the areas between the sidewalk and the grass &#8211; all this work will add to a good first impression of the house. If you have a dog, make absolutely sure that the lawn is clean. Weed the flower garden, and keep your deck or patio clean and clear of debris.</p>
<p><strong>22.) SPEND A LITTLE TIME ON GENERAL MAINTENANCE</strong></p>
<p>Put away all clutter, make sure the beds are made and rooms are tidy during showings. Polish the floors, vacuum the rugs, paint or re-paper the walls where needed. Replace burnt-out bulbs, clean or replace shades, lenses, covers, etc. Check all switches for operation. Check all doors that they open and close easily and freely; oil any hinges that squeak. Clean and polish all appliances &#8211; stove, fridge, washer, dryer, etc. Pay special attention to stovetop burners and the ventilating hood and fan.</p>
<p><strong>23.) GET RID OF ACCUMULATED STUFF IN THE YARD</strong></p>
<p>Trailers, boats, campers, additional automobiles, and so on should be stored elsewhere until after the sale. Any items which must be stored outside should be neatly stored and/or covered.</p>
<p><strong>24.) TRY AND BE OUT DURING SHOWINGS</strong></p>
<p>Buyers are always more relaxed when the vendors are not there; take the dog for a walk, go for a coffee, take the kids to the park, whatever &#8211; but try and be away during showings.</p>
<p>THESE ARE SOME OF THE ADVANCED METHODS THAT WILL HELP YOU TO SELL FASTER &amp; BETTER. THE DEGREE TO WHICH YOU WANT TO FIX UP YOUR HOME IS UP TO YOU, BUT EACH METHOD YOU USE WILL BRING RESULTS.</p>
<p>Randy Selzer is a dedicated Realtor who has been helping people to enhance their lifestyles through the buying and selling of fine real estate in the Greater Toronto Area since 1993. Randy is also a fan and a student of Web 2.0 and social media networking. Get expert real estate tips and advice at http://randyselzer.wordpress.com/ and free E-books and more at <a href="http://www.randyselzer.com/" target="_new">http://www.randyselzer.com/</a>.</p>
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		<title>Built in Closet Organizers For Home Staging</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/built-in-closet-organizers-for-home-staging.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/built-in-closet-organizers-for-home-staging.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Apr 2010 08:48:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Calgary MLS search]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northwest Calgary homes for sale]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2464</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re trying to make your house appeal to buyers, one of the best ways that you can do that is by reducing the clutter and making it look like your home is organized and has ample storage. One of the ways that you can do this is by using inexpensive built in closet organizers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you&#8217;re trying to make your house appeal to buyers, one of the best ways that you can do that is by reducing the clutter and making it look like your home is organized and has ample storage. One of the ways that you can do this is by using inexpensive built in closet organizers to neatly store your items away on.</p>
<p>Closets, in their general configuration, are very poor for storing things in because they have usually one shelf over one clothing rail; this usually results in clothing of different lengths all hung together, many items stored on the floor of the closet, and piles of things stored on the one shelf that are often forgotten about. A closet such as this is unappealing and almost always looks messy and unorganized.<span id="more-2464"></span></p>
<p>A much better alternative is a built in closet organizer that allows you to store items in it more efficiently. If you&#8217;re also looking to sell your house, it&#8217;s a good idea to have a closet organizational system that is flexible enough so that a buyer&#8217;s needs would be met by it as well.</p>
<p>Many closet organizers are based around upright rails that are screwed into the wall studs in the back of the closet; adjustable shelves and railings are then hooked into the slots in the uprights. This system is very adjustable as you can hang shelves and railings at whichever heights best meet your needs and if your needs change, you can change the shelves around. You can also usually add shoe storage, drawers and baskets to these systems as well, taking care of all of your storage needs all in one place.</p>
<p>Other types of closet organizers are more expensive and elaborate affairs, often made of wood. While these types of organizer can add even more appeal to your home for some buyers, they are usually not adjustable which means that if they aren&#8217;t a fairly generic type of organizer with room for some short and long hanging items as well as a few shelves or drawers, some buyers might find the system a hindrance instead of an asset. It may not be in your best interest to invest a large amount of money in a high-end, non-adjustable system for this reason. Instead, maybe invest in a system like that, if it appeals to you, at your new home so that you can enjoy it.</p>
<p>Remember, that a great part of the appeal of closet organizers is that it makes your home look to buyers like it has more than enough storage space in it; take the time to actually organize your closet items so that they look organized and neat. Buyers will look more favorably on your home in general if it&#8217;s neat and tidy.<br />
For a professional Calgary MLS search and services, visit CalgaryRealEstate.pro &#8211; the site is clean and informative, with details about every corner of Calgary including href=&#8221;http://www.calgaryrealestate.pro/nw-calgary-homes-for-sale.php&#8221; target=&#8221;_new&#8221;&gt;Northwest Calgary homes for sale</p>
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		<title>Make the Most of Home Staging For a Quick Sale</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/make-the-most-of-home-staging-for-a-quick-sale.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/make-the-most-of-home-staging-for-a-quick-sale.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 11 Apr 2010 06:48:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sun Lakes Active-Adult Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sun Lakes AZ Affordable Property]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are a number of tasks involved when you decide to sell your home. The first of these is the need to aggressively promote your home via several methods and media. This is so you can guarantee maximum exposure of your property, thus more buyers will be enticed. But you have to use home staging [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are a number of tasks involved when you decide to sell your home. The first of these is the need to aggressively promote your home via several methods and media. This is so you can guarantee maximum exposure of your property, thus more buyers will be enticed. But you have to use home staging techniques to make your home more appealing whether on pictures or when buyers decide to pay a visit. Such step puts particular prominence to presenting your home in a very visually stimulating way.</p>
<p>There are many simple strategies in staging your home. Then again, it is equally important that you distinguish home staging from preparing your home for sale. The pre-sale preparations usually involve the functional repairs needed from maintenance to major renovations. Home staging mainly concentrates on the aesthetics of your home. This includes organization, design and overall visual impact. And most of the things you need to accomplish do not cost a dime.<span id="more-2462"></span></p>
<p>Here are some quick tips you can prioritize throughout the process:</p>
<p>Make your curb appeal very enticing. Firstly, there is one fun activity you can do in evaluating the facade of your property. You will need a camera, a digital one is preferable, pen and paper. Stand a few meters away from your home and take a good look at it. Take some pictures and write down your observations. Focus on the roof, walls, landscaping landscaping, garden, garage and basement (if this part is also shown on the facade). Walk away from your house. Objectively assess whether your home stands out in your neighborhood. Ask yourself if you were impressed with your property. This activity should be done once in the morning and in the evening. Note that lighting affects the look your house creates. After taking in all the details into account, work up a budget and plan for all the areas you think need improvements. However, consider that the enhancements you will get need not be expensive.</p>
<p>You can do some repainting. Prioritize the doors, window frames and shutter, if any. Pick out colors that would make your home vibrant. Other cheap steps are: mowing the lawn and re-organizing your garden by planting or adding new flower beds, adding relaxed-looking furniture pieces on the front porch, cleaning the gutters, cleaning up window panes, hanging decorative pieces on the front door and windows especially if special holidays are approaching. Meanwhile, there are some home sellers concerned whether putting up say, Christmas decor, will put off buyers not believing in such religious celebrations. Do not worry that you might offend some buyers. They are used to seeing these things wherever they go so there is no need to fuss about it.</p>
<p>It is also vital that you make every space look very comfortable and inviting. Give special attention to common areas like the living room, entertainment area or any other family space whether indoors or outdoors. You can repaint the walls with warm neutral colors. Although such colors are usually associated with &#8216;boring&#8217; impressions, there are DIY sites that can help you choose the appropriate color per room.</p>
<p>Arrange the furniture in each space in a conversational way. This means that you have to make your couch, chairs and table look welcoming. Also, if you position your furniture flushed to one side only, you are making the room appear bigger. And speaking of making wider spaces, you have to &#8216;declutter&#8217;. Get rid of any fixture, appliances and other unnecessary things that would make any space seem unkempt. Especially for the kitchen, keep it clean and very simple. The buyers could then envision themselves spending hours and hours of fun cooking and gatherings in this most homey part of the house. In addition, if this area is free from too many contents, they can see it is safe for food preparation.</p>
<p>Adding some plants to each room should be considered too. The plants usually radiate the feeling of being refreshed. There are also some plants that release aromatic smells. For example in the kitchen and dining area, place herbal plants like mint, basil and lavender. These spaces would heighten their inviting appeal.</p>
<p>For the bedrooms, prioritize comfort. Clear out closets to make it seem more spacious. You could also buy new sheets, comforters and plush pillows to achieve a very cozy appearance. Anyway, you might need new things when you move into your new house.</p>
<p>Lastly, remove all your personal belongings and photos in any room. This is so the buyers can easily see themselves living in your property for sale. Otherwise if you leave family portraits hanging on the walls, they would feel like they are just visiting someone else&#8217;s house. The point is making them see that your home is their future home.</p>
<p>These very easy and inexpensive steps can really enable you to wow buyers. You will see that the good impressions you have imparted with them would materialize into closing the purchase deal immediately.<br />
The Real estate market can be an enjoyable, satisfying and lucrative experience for you. Whether you are a homeowner, a buyer, a landlord or simply a real estate enthusiast, get to know more about the latest in the real estate market now. Read more about it here: <a href="http://www.viewsunlakeshomes.com/33598-Sun-Lakes-AZ-Affordable-RESCity.aspx" target="_new">Sun Lakes AZ Affordable Property</a> and Sun Lakes Active-Adult Community.</p>
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		<title>10 Simple Home Staging Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/10-simple-home-staging-tips.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/10-simple-home-staging-tips.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:47:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[10 Simple Home Staging Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Marketing Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Single Property Sites]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2460</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Preparing a home for sale is equivalent to home staging. It is the professional term for arranging a house for new ownership. It is what real estate experts do to sell a home or property fast and easy and at an astounding price.
Home staging is similar to applying makeup. It is all about beautifying the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Preparing a home for sale is equivalent to home staging. It is the professional term for arranging a house for new ownership. It is what real estate experts do to sell a home or property fast and easy and at an astounding price.</p>
<p>Home staging is similar to applying makeup. It is all about beautifying the house, making it appealing for prospective homebuyers to take interest and actually spend some time looking through. Home staging is an art and those who do it are professional artists who have a good knowledge on home design and decoration. Home stagers know exactly how to package a home nicely, making it appealing enough to be noticed among all the other comparable properties available.<span id="more-2460"></span></p>
<p>Here are some professional home staging tips:</p>
<p>Tip #1: Exert enormous effort in beautifying the kitchen. For a lot of homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the household. It should be clean, crisp, and fresh.</p>
<p>Tip #2: The exterior meets the appraiser/homebuyers eyes first. Make it appealing enough to serve as a good appetizer for the tour.</p>
<p>Tip #3: Dress the bathrooms well. Make it appear open and airy. It should not be tight and enclosed. Use a play of scents to accentuate the bathroom space.</p>
<p>Tip #4: Make the backyard look as organized, as clean, and as relaxing as the rest of the house.</p>
<p>Tip #5: Make your living area look spacious, open, and airy. Avoid clutter and a crowded arrangement of furniture pieces.</p>
<p>Tip #6: Pack up personal items such as awards, certificates, plaques, and framed family photos. They do not have a place in your staged home, as they will speak of your personality as well as your attachment to your old abode. No new buyer would be fascinated with a room full of memories of the old owner. They would like to be able to mix in their personality into it and they would not be allowed to do so if yours is still there.</p>
<p>Tip #7: Religious symbols and cultural items might be off putting for some. Make your home&#8217;s personality as universal as possible.</p>
<p>Tip #8: use your fireplace to your advantage. A fireplace is a good selling point but only if it well-maintained and clean and functional.</p>
<p>Tip #9: Use current issues of home -related magazines and reading materials to accessorize your coffee table.</p>
<p>Tip #10: Invest on home repairs. You would not want your prospective buyer to see a hole in your bathroom tiles or a cracked piece of furniture. If it is already beyond fixing, take it out or replace it with a new set.</p>
<p>Home staging is all about arranging your home to look and feel livable for a good number of people. It does not have to look like what is comfortable for you but more of what might be comfortable for your target. It is easier to sell a home that is all prepped up and look ready to be moved into soon after it was paid upon than an empty or cluttered space that needs a lot of pruning and sprucing up.</p>
<p>Beverly Manago is a freelance writer focused on the real estate industry. She is also a consultant for My Single Property Sites, a web 2.0 marketing tool that lets real estate agents create stunning virtual tours and single property sites easily, with a free version available for listing presentations. She also contributes to the <a href="http://mysinglepropertywebsites.com/blog" target="_new">Real Estate Marketing Blog</a> there.</p>
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		<title>Top Home Staging Techniques</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/top-home-staging-techniques.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/top-home-staging-techniques.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:46:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Single Property Websites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Top Home Staging Techniques]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2456</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Home staging is the art of prepping up a home for sale. In the real estate arena, home staging is an important step towards creating a good value for a home and getting it off the market faster than the others. The aim of home staging is to make a home or property appealing to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Home staging is the art of prepping up a home for sale. In the real estate arena, home staging is an important step towards creating a good value for a home and getting it off the market faster than the others. The aim of home staging is to make a home or property appealing to a bigger number of potential buyers, improving its chances of being sold faster at a high rate.</p>
<p>Home staging is different from home improvement in a sense that in the former, there is no other next step than selling the house. Home improvements are done, meanwhile, not just with the intent of increasing the home&#8217;s value as part of a future marketing plan but to increase the efficiency and comfort of the house for its current owners as well.<span id="more-2456"></span></p>
<p>Home staging has been used as an important marketing strategy for real estate professionals since 1970s. It is a practice that encourages homesellers to be competitive in the field. From then on, every real estate expert suggests home staging for every property or home for sale.</p>
<p><strong>Home Staging Techniques</strong></p>
<p>There are various ways to achieve the desired effect of home staging. Basically, home staging involves, de-personalizing, de-cluttering, updating, and accessorizing.</p>
<p>Since you are making your house available for sale, it is highly important that you take your personality off every corner and every place in the house. That&#8217;s de-personalizing for you. It is the art of turning your home into something that anyone, apart from yourself, would like to acquire. Personalized items should be eliminated to keep your prospective homebuyer from thinking that you remain attached to the house.</p>
<p>When you are making your home available for sale, it is also important that you take all the clutter out of sight. Clean away your surroundings from inside and out. A neat and organized home always has an advantage over cluttered ones.</p>
<p>Updating your home, your furniture, and your appliances also have so much to do with home staging and increasing your home&#8217;s selling worth. Never ever take an empty home out in the market. That is not a wise idea as taking out a home full of non-working items available for sale. Prospective homebuyers would like to see how the whole thing looks like when it is filled with items that do not only spell beauty but also efficiency and comfort. If you must, rent furniture, accessories, and appliances that you can use as display.</p>
<p>Lastly, accessorizing could mean big with a home&#8217;s market value so you must pay serious attention to it. As they say, you need to attract your homebuyers with your product and hold them for more than eight seconds staring at what you have on offer. In this case, curb appeal or the charm of your exterior has so much to do with. The exterior is the first thing that meets the eye so it is also the important factor in making a good impression. If you will not be able to get your prospective homebuyer through the entrance door, you will not be able to showcase what you have done inside.</p>
<p>Beverly Manago is a freelance writer focused on the real estate industry. She is also a consultant for My Single Property Websites, a web 2.0 marketing tool that lets real estate agents create stunning virtual tours and single property sites easily, with a free version available for listing presentations. She also contributes to the <a href="http://mysinglepropertywebsites.com/propertysites/web-2-0-listing-presentation" target="_new">Web 2.0 Listing Presentation</a> there.</p>
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		<title>Home Staging is an Illusion</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/home-staging-is-an-illusion.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/home-staging-is-an-illusion.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:45:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flat Fee MLS Listing Charlottesville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Staging is an Illusion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Almost everyone is familiar with the well known word &#8220;staging&#8221; when it is being used in conjunction with an amateur or professional play that is being presented. They completely understand that everything that they are about to witness is strictly an &#8220;illusion&#8221;.
Everybody recognizes the fact that nothing is actually real. However, when this same word [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Almost everyone is familiar with the well known word &#8220;staging&#8221; when it is being used in conjunction with an amateur or professional play that is being presented. They completely understand that everything that they are about to witness is strictly an &#8220;illusion&#8221;.</p>
<p>Everybody recognizes the fact that nothing is actually real. However, when this same word is carelessly thrown around in connection with the selling of a house, it sometimes is entirely possible to forget that nothing has changed; it is still an &#8220;illusion&#8221; that is being professionally staged and presented. Therefore, any prospective buyer should be on their guard when ever they inspect a home that they may be interested in purchasing.<span id="more-2454"></span></p>
<p>Living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens are the main rooms that may be affected by this stimulating process. For example, if your family consists of five people, it is absolutely your responsibility to be sure that there is, without a doubt, ample space to accommodate the whole family in one room; all at the same time. The room as it is &#8220;staged&#8221; may purposely contain only four chairs on which a person could comfortably sit. But, the room appears to be so spacious, and it is so very beautiful, and the wall coverings are exquisite. Be that as it may, all these things do not change the fact that there still is only enough room for four people.</p>
<p>That is because some off the essential items may have been strategically removed. The fifth chair might be now resting in the garage area. The large screen television set may have been replaced with a much smaller version. The stereo equipment, video recorder and other electronic goodies might also be missing. The heavy draperies that are usually essential to keeping out the cold drafts of winter time might have also been carefully replaced with some light, airy curtains. All this is done in the name of &#8220;staging&#8221;; just to give the false impression that the room is adequate for any size family that may want to call it their own. The bedroom is another room that has to be carefully sized up, so to speak. Smaller rooms will probably be shown with a full size bed; instead of a king or queen size bed, End stands, a second dresser or a small make up table may not even be able to fit into that room.</p>
<p>I suppose that all of us would do the same thing if we were ever faced with the fact that we had to sell our home. Actually, there is really nothing illegal or immoral about it. It is just a reality of life that any home buyer should be well aware of.</p>
<p>James is the owner of Flat Fee MLS Listing Charlottesville, a Flat Fee MLS company that specializes in placing For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties on the Realtors® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a low one time flat fee. Please visit <a href="http://www.charlottesvilleflatfeemlslisting.com/" target="_new">Charlottesville Flat Fee MLS Listing</a> to learn more about their services and the Flat Fee MLS packages they offer.</p>
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		<title>The Thin Difference Between Professional and Novice Home Stager All Explained</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/the-thin-difference-between-professional-and-novice-home-stager-all-explained.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/the-thin-difference-between-professional-and-novice-home-stager-all-explained.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:34:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home staging Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[house staging]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2450</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is very important to have an eye for details and designs along with the knowledge of the local real estate market in the region of Kanata. For home sellers in this region, it is advisable that they use the home staging services and try to benefit from their offers.
If you wish to sell your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is very important to have an eye for details and designs along with the knowledge of the local real estate market in the region of Kanata. For home sellers in this region, it is advisable that they use the home staging services and try to benefit from their offers.</p>
<p>If you wish to sell your house quickly, then the home staging services can help you in this matter. These services are beneficial in making your house more attractive to the eye of the buyer. Such services also remove away all the personal items from your home in order to help the buyer visualize himself living in such a neat house that you have to offer. This is just one of the tasks that has to be done if you are staging a home in Kanata.<span id="more-2450"></span></p>
<p>Try to avoid displaying your photographs and personal items in your home if you are staging it. This is a very common mistake that people often make when they put up their house for sale. It does not have a good impact in Kanata so it is better to avoid it. If you are new in Kanata, then you should seek the services of a professional home staging company. They usually charge between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. But they can help sell the house faster and there are a few cases where the house was sold above the expected price of the property.</p>
<p>It is important to realize that there is direct relationship between a house put up for sale and the interest of the buyer to buy the house. If there is an unfinished building available in Kanata for repossession of a new home, then it will not look as appealing to the eye of the buyer as a finished and occupied space will look like to him. The buyer cannot generalize the amount of space available to him in an unfurnished and unfinished house, therefore he has difficulty in determining what to do with the available space. This seems like a big problem for the buyer and he decides to choose from among the neatly staged houses in Kanata rather than an unfinished one.</p>
<p>Also, by staging a house, we are not only making it look more appealing and neat to the buyer, but we are also making it more elegant for the buyer. Staged houses are known to get sold at a faster rate than un-staged and unfinished houses, and more often than not they are sold at a much better price too.</p>
<p>A house should be staged in Kanata such that the preference and taste of the buyers should be kept in mind instead of the home owners who are selling their property. This is done to make the house sell relatively faster at a good price. It is also better not to try to make some changes that are appealing to you and may not be as appealing to the buyer. Hence you should try to avoid mismatching colors and imposing your personal style in the staged house.</p>
<p>If you feel that your house is not furnished properly then you also have an option of renting some furnishings for your staged house. This will help increase the value of your house in the real estate market and it is not so expensive as well.<br />
Frank Sarntarpia<br />
Find additional info regarding house staging and <a href="http://www.staging-a-home.com/01/19/home-staging-canada" target="_new">home staging Canada</a></p>
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		<title>Curb Appeal is Essential to Successful Home Staging</title>
		<link>http://www.crossmagazine.com/curb-appeal-is-essential-to-successful-home-staging.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.crossmagazine.com/curb-appeal-is-essential-to-successful-home-staging.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:34:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Successful Home Staging]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.crossmagazine.com/?p=2448</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home as seen from the curb. Curb appeal is always desirable and is especially critical when selling your home. Even if your home is absolutely beautiful on the inside, potential buyers may drive right by without stopping if your curb appeal is lacking. Therefore, when you are preparing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home as seen from the curb. Curb appeal is always desirable and is especially critical when selling your home. Even if your home is absolutely beautiful on the inside, potential buyers may drive right by without stopping if your curb appeal is lacking. Therefore, when you are preparing your home for sale, be sure to remember to stage the exterior as well as the interior.</p>
<p>The following 10 tips will be sure to boost your home&#8217;s curb appeal:</p>
<p>1.	 Trim back overgrown shrubbery (this also allows more natural light into your home, which is always a plus)</p>
<p>2.	 Mow the lawn and add sod to replace any brown patches</p>
<p>3.	Weed and mulch gardens to give a well-manicured look</p>
<p>4.	Plant seasonal flowers to add color (in winter use ornamental cabbage)</p>
<p>5.	Update outdoor light fixtures and be sure light bulbs are in working order</p>
<p>6.	Replace the mailbox, if needed, to coordinated with paint colors</p>
<p>7.	Repaint the front door; use a color that accents your exterior color palette (keep your overall color palette neutral)</p>
<p>8.	Repaint the front porch if it appears worn</p>
<p>9.	Fill any cracks in the sidewalk with filler (available at most home improvement stores)</p>
<p>10. Be sure your house numbers are prominently displayed. If they appear too small from the street, replace them with larger numbers.</p>
<p>Remember, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression!</p>
<p>For a copy of The Tranquility Bay Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Home Staging visit: <a href="http://tranquilitybaywellness.com/tranquility-bay-real-estate-staging" target="_new">http://tranquilitybaywellness.com/tranquility-bay-real-estate-staging</a>.</p>
<p>Terri Marshall is a Certified Home Staging Consultant, Green Living Consultant, Certified Stress Management Specialist and Certified Wellness Coach and owner of Tranquility Bay Home Therapy in Annapolis, MD. Please visit her website http://tranquilitybaywellness.com (Books Tab) for a copy of The Tranquility Bay Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Home Staging and The Tranquility Bay Green Living Guide.</p>
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