Staging Tips: Part III

The "Model Home Concept":

A shopper is more willing to buy a home that’s tastefully decorated, even if the buyer has no intention of furnishing it that way. That’s the Model-home concept.



Builders are the masters of this concept. They study their target audience to determine what type of décor to use. These days, the audience is very sophisticated and has high expectations. Builders use surveys and focus groups to create the profile for their potential buyers. The builders hand their research to designers who choose furnishings that will appeal to a type of buyer. The home has to be something the buyer will identify with. If you have very affluent interiors, you will most likely turn off a young first time buyer as they will feel it’s beyond their reach.

A contemporary style with a Crate & Barrel look would be more appealing to the first time buyer of a townhome.

Builders also go thru great lengths to provide a local feel. In Annapolis, Nautical art may be used in the home, in Leesburg, the home office may have an equestrian theme.



The WHOLE point is – be memorable (in a good way)! Keep in mind who your audience may be whether you’re selling a condo, townhome or estate home!
Visit area model homes – you’ll want to give potential buyers that same WOW factor.

Sharon Goetz
703-679-1712, Sharon.G@KW.com
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Please visit my website to see photos of Staged homes
& to request my FREE report on “Preparing Your Home for Sale”.

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

The Staging Tips Series: Part II

Staging Tip:

Whether your Staging for selling or Staging for living ~ this one is helpful!



Don't place all your furniture around the perimeter of the room. It's NOT the best way to show off your square footage. It visually makes the room seem smaller and hides architectural details like interesting moldings (you want these to stand out).

Angling furniture or creating intimate conversation areas is much more effective. If your upholstered pieces are shabby - then add some chic! Big box discount stores sell attractive slipcovers (choose a neutral SOLID color) that won't break the bank.

Lastly, when setting up your "new" room, avoid the Titanic-effect = meaning all the heavy pieces are on one side of the room. Distribute the weight so your space won't look like a sinking ship!!



(photos from HGTV).

Sharon Goetz 703-679-1712
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty
www.kw.com

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Staging Tips for Home Sellers

The next couple of posts will be dedicated to Staging Tips!

I have gotten some calls from forward-thinking clients who are preparing to sell their homes this Fall. So, I am sharing some of the tips I have given to them.

Stand in the doorway in each room of your home and look through the eyes of a buyer. What do you really see - here it may help to take a photo so you can experience what the a potential buyer sees.
Before:


Pack everything you can live without while your home is on the market. This includes any family photos, collections of any kind, guns, swords, hunting trophies, all religious and political items. The buyer needs to “picture” himself living there, with his things.

After:


Your closets and cupboards should be pared down to half of their current contents. I suggest that all the hangers in the closet be the same. This is your chance to return those horrid metal hangers to you dry cleaner!

Stay tuned for MORE Staging Tips and Tricks!

Have a great week.

Sharon Goetz 703-679-1712
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Preparing YOUR Home for Sale

I hosted a FREE seminar about Preparing Your Home for Sale in Reston, VA. There are always “First-time Buyer Seminars” being offered but there are very few for Sellers! I wanted to educate Sellers on today’s buyer and emphasize that price and how the home shows are really the only 2 factors they can control!

The seminar featured several topics such as the “New Neutrals” in paint colors, Curb Appeal, Today’s Buyer and Updates that Provide ROI! Some tips and tricks of the pros were offered. Handouts were provided to the attendees as well as coupons and information from local businesses.

I am passionate about and can vouch for the importance of Staging® – especially in the challenging market! My designations as an Accredited Staging Professional™ (ASP™) and Certified Interior Decorator (CID) prove expertise in preparing a home for sale! Homes that are Staged®, or prepared for sale, by an Accredited Staging Professional™ look better than other homes on the market by being clean, clutter-free, and ready to show to prospective buyers. Homes for sale MUST stand out and be MEMORABLE to buyers.

For more information, please contact me at 703-679-1712.

Here are a few before and after photos I've taken. Staging DOES make a difference!

















Sharon Goetz
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty
www.kw.com

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

Reston, VA 20191

Reston, VA 20191
Market Statistics for June

Here is a recap of the detached homes,
townhomes and condos that SOLD in the month of June:



Detached Homes: 16 sold
Average Sales Price was $536,423.
Average Days on Market – 64
The majority of these homes have 4 bedrooms,
3.5 baths, 1 fireplace and a 2 car garage.



Townhomes: 28 sold
Average Sales Price was $378,000.
Average Days on Market – 41
Most of those homes have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a fireplace.



Condos: 18 sold
Average Sales Price was $179,000.
Average Days on Market – 45
The majority of these have 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Residents in 20191 are near great schools, shopping centers, the Reston Community Center,

Vernon J. Walker Nature Center, 2 of Reston lakes, the Toll Road, the proposed Silver Line Metro Station, Fairfax County Parkway and Reston Town Center!

As a 20191 resident since 1990 - I am here to help you or someone you know prepare for a moving experience!

Sharon Goetz: 703-679-1712

Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator

Keller Williams Realty
SELLING HOMES!...by design®



* Staging® services designed for YOUR home
* A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
* A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com

BEACH HOUSE!

Ahhh...a Beach House!

Wouldn't you LOVE to be spending these sunny Summer days at YOUR beach house?

My go-to vacation spot is usually the Outer Banks in NC. These days, its stunning natural beauty is dotted with some beach mansions - particularly on the north end.

Still - it's a place where you can do everything - or simply nothing at all!
I thought about purchasing a tidy little bungalow more than once...one that comes with a quirky house name like: "Fan-ta-sea", "Duck n' Work", or maybe "Conch Out"! -- These are actual names of current rental homes, OK?

The historically LOW interest rates make NOW a great time to think about purchasing a vacation home. Just out of curiosity, I looked up some "Just Solds" in OBX.



This one went for a whole lot of wampum: $1,750,000. Description said it is a "Rental Machine"!!

Then, there was this little cottage:


This one went for $845,000.

And:


SOLD for $580,000.

Hmmmmm - I'm thinking it's much more cost effective to have FRIENDS with a beach house! I'll even pick up the grillin' supplies at the Harris Teeter in Corolla!

The Reston Community of Deepwood

The Deepwood Community is a close-knit one of 343 townhomes and 6 single family homes, one of only a handful of independent communities in Reston, Virginia. Here, you will find a recently renovated pool, tennis courts, several tot lots, and of course the best neighbors in town. It’s a place I called “home” for nearly 17 years. My townhome backed to woods where I enjoyed seeing deer, foxes, raccoons and many types of birds on a regular basis.





Deepwood has Williamsburg charm and a certain village ambience.
There are 4 colonial townhome models – all built in the mid to late 70’s. A few have classic wood burning fire places. The homes are all 3 levels, some with walk-out basements. All have at least 3 bedrooms on the upper level. The number of baths depends on the model and any renovations that have been done.
And…some renovations have been extensive: removing walls, installing gourmet kitchens with all the bells and whistles and adding elaborate closet systems fit for any estate-sized home!

Although there are still some original homeowners in the neighborhood, more young families have moved in. Strollers and tiny bicycles abound on some courts. This has sparked a very active mommy’s network. They often meet at tot lots or the pool and organize fun activities like the “Spring Swing”.





The neighborhood is surrounded by mature trees. Many homes have treed views from all 3 levels. Snake Den Creek (part of the Reston’s Stream Restoration Project) runs through the back of the community.



Deepwood remains a desirable area due to its strategic location. Take a stroll on the path for your morning Starbucks coffee, dinner ingredients at Safeway, some sushi at Ariake or a sweet treat at Dairy Queen. The Reston Community Center and Hunters Woods Elementary, a magnet school for the Arts and Sciences, are also walking distance. For a change of pace, visit nearby Vernon J. Walker Nature Center or take a brisk walk along Lake Audubon which also has a public boat ramp.
Reston Town Center, the proposed Wiehle Ave. Silver Line Metro stop and Toll Road are all close by!

There are currently 3 active listings with an average price $343,000.
6 are under contract with an average price of $369,000.

Interested in knowing more about this community – please contact me:
Sharon Goetz 703-679-1712
Realtor®, Accredited Staging Professional, Certified Interior Decorator
Keller Williams Realty

SELLING HOMES!...by design®
• Staging® services designed for YOUR home
• A choice of 3 commission plans designed to fit YOUR needs
• A satisfaction guarantee designed with YOU in mind

www.SellingHomesByDesign.com