Avondale Porch
Curb Appeal analysis has become a major part of our staging
evaluations. We pay more attention to things like house color and condition,
not to mention the need to fill in missing or dead shrubs. Balance, color,
symmetry all get a grade. Exterior color selections can be tricky with roof
style and paver colors complicating things.
Raise the canopy and lower the shrub line. Leave a visual
opening to the front doorway area.
I always enjoy styling and staging houses in the historic
neighborhoods. One of the problems I run into frequently is overgrown shrubs
and outdated plant selections. Newer varieties perform better and don't take
over the visual space that we call Curb Appeal.
When these homes were planned many years ago, a certain budget
was spent on landscaping. The builders had to supply an abundant selection of
prime plant material. Now, many years later, those plants have taken over the
lawn.
One of my clients who could not sell her house asked my
opinion. The interior of the home was absolutely gorgeous. That was not the
problem. I asked her to walk outside and look at the house from across the
street.
"Now describe what do you see?" I asked as she
turned around. "I see what you mean. The curb appeal and front of the
house doesn't begin to tell the story of the beautiful space beyond the front
door. In fact, there were times people made an appointment and didn't get out
of the car."
Riverside Historic District
The old overgrown azaleas and junipers dominated most of the
front yard and covered the quaint front porch. I recommended that she pull
them out completely and plant low-growing plants next to the foundation. Then
sod the space where the large plants had been. This added some extra real
estate. After the changes were made, the home sold overnight.
Curb Appeal isn't just an afterthought. It's the pretty face
that gets the date to the prom! Who cares that you spent a fortune for the
dress and shoes.
Since 95% of home buyers look online before deciding which
homes to tour, the first picture, the front of the house, may be the most
important one.
I bumped into one of my resort gated neighborhood staging
clients awhile back and she said the house had not sold after a long time on
the market. I was shocked since our average DOM - Days on the Market - is
about 2 to 3 weeks.
She remarked that the online stats revealed that 1500 people
were looking at the first picture, the front of the house, but only 500 opted
to look inside. The interior was beautiful and updated.
After reviewing the online link, I realized what caused the
problem. The hedge around the house had obscured the photographer's view so
he walked up the driveway to get the whole house into the picture.
It appeared like the property was tiny when in fact, it was
huge. An aerial photo fixed the problem and the house sold right away. Drone
photography is fast becoming a solution for expansive properties.
How can you judge your property for Curb Appeal? Look at it
through the lens of a camera from across the street. This is a powerful tip
to objectively view your most important picture.
HGTV Smart House in Jacksonville Beach
Obviously, a manicured lawn, fresh mulch and annuals go a long
way to freshen things up. One of our "tricks of the trade" is to
use Design Master acrylic floral spray in green to camouflage a brown spot on
the lawn. Sometimes the shutters or front door need a coat of fresh paint or
a color change. And obviously, everything must be immaculate.
Several owners of red brick homes in my intracoastal
neighborhood have painted their homes white for a more coastal look.
Beautiful! Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper would approve.
The decorators of the HGTV Smart House added 2 comfy chairs
and a tray table with iced tea glasses and a pitcher. We call that Life Style
staging.
So, put on a pretty face to get that date to the prom. All of
your efforts will pay off in getting that property sold in record time for
more money. Yay!!!
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Picture of students in the lobby of the Yacht Club where Jacksonville, Fl.classes are held.
"It's never too late to be what you might have
been." George Elliot
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Testimonials about the new updated online certification
class:
Becky,
I just completed the home staging courses last
night. Thank you for offering the class online. My heart's desire
was to come to the classes in person and I thought surely they were not going
to be nearly as good online. I am happy to report the online courses
were really great! I especially liked the videos. It was just better when I
could see you when you were speaking. I am certain I will be referring
back to my manual again and again.
Thank you for your entrepreneurial spirit and heart for
wanting to share your talents to help other people grow!
Here is to happy home staging for years to come!
Sincerely,
Tawnya Langston
Columbia, South Carolina
Special for Summer Only: Online Class is $250 off.
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Meet
my sisters, Kathy, Mary Ann & Janice (Yes, I'm the bossy one.)
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