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Spring Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid

Using Dark Hues

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Spring is the season of color and brightness. One sure way to drive buyers away is by using dark colors. Choose nice pastels which are warm and inviting and avoid dark shades which shrink rooms. You’ll be amazed at what a new coat of paint can do to your home.

Using Too Much Furniture

The furniture you put in a room needs to fit the space. Don’t use a lot of furniture in a tiny living room, prospective buyers won’t have space to move around and will think you are limited for space. Keep in mind that the key purpose of furniture is to define rooms. Make sure that the furniture in your rooms does not block the flow of traffic.

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Not Making Use of Natural Light

Buyers love natural light. Don’t block the path of light with heavy draperies or dark window treatments, use sheers or leave windows open if you can. If your home’s exterior is attractive, make the most of it. Open windows during the day and use large mirrors in rooms to accentuate the views.

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Decorating with Unbeleivable Artificial Flowers

Home sellers are divided into two categories: those that love fresh flowers and those that love artificial flowers. While fake flowers offer convenience and undying beauty, they can be a major turnoff for buyers. In spring, many flowers are in full bloom. Visit your local garden center and buy a bunch of flowers or a few plants. Many houseplants don’t require a lot of work.

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In this day and age when homebuyers have many options to choose from, staging a home is of utmost importance. However, be careful not to make these home staging mistakes which drive buyers away. Potential buyers want to picture themselves living in your home and it’s hard to do so when all they can see are glaring mistakes.

Are you trying to sell your home this season? Look to Stagetecture’s and the About.com – Home Staging tips.

Guest Blogger +1K, Entry #2645, July 12, 2013

Wondering how the wealthiest in the world live? Below are five of the most expensive homes of 2013.

1. Antilia

Image via: Houses

This skyscraper home is the most expensive in the world. The house, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, is 27 levels high in the heart of Mumbai, India.  With double- or triple-height levels,  the structure is equivalent to a 40-story building.

The home, which has entire floors dedicated to gardens and pools, offers every amenity today’s modern billionaire could wish for. That includes three helicopter pads, several underground levels of parking, and a staff of more than 500 people to keep everything up, running, and spotless. The building alone itself is worth $1 billion.

2. Heath Hall

With 14 bedrooms, a cinema, gym, and tennis court, Heath Hall is one of the priciest homes in Great Britain. Golden wood floors, rich wood paneling, and relaxing white furnishings complete the luxurious interior. The gated grounds, located in the Hampstead Heath, one of the wealthiest areas of the United Kingdom, offers plenty of stunning views of the surrounding landscape. In early 2013, the house reached a market value of approximately $130 million after the owner put another $60 million into renovations.

3. Copper Beech Farm

Dating back to the 1890s, the Copper Beech Farm, located off Long Island Sound, includes two of its own private islands. Its antique design includes a kitchen with a dumbwaiter in the basement and a sleeping porch for cooler summer sleeping before the days of air conditioning. The mansion hit the market with a price tag of $190 million, not including the cost of renovations.

4. Hearst Castle

Image via: Stuck in Customs

Built for the American newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst, this Californian castle takes the cake for its number of bedrooms: a total of 29 bedrooms, with three swimming pools for guests to enjoy. The indoor pool has the feel of an Arabian palace with its mosaics, while the outdoor Neptune Pool has prominent Greek architecture.

The dining hall, however, looks like it came out of a medieval castle, complete with a stone floor that is strikingly similar to options at Prosource Flooring in Toronto.

The castle also has a claim to fame for its role in the Godfather movies and its use as the late John F. Kennedy’s honeymoon destination. Today, the castle is worth $165 million.

5. Villa Leopolda

Image via: Flickr

Built for the Belgian King Leopold II’s mistress, this villa stands on the French Riviera outside the town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Stone lions guard the oval outdoor pool, while porticos and gardens look out on the Mediterranean Sea from the heights of the hills. The home was recently purchased by a Russian billionaire for $750 million.

Know of another expensive home or know how to copy the luminous look of these homes’ décor or flooring? Let us know! 

For more architecture posts on Stagetecture, click here.

According to real estate experts, July and August are two of the best months of the year to buy a house since prices usually drop after the spring buying season.  If you are looking for a new home, maximize your good timing by following these tips!  Purchasing a home should be an exciting time, but visiting listing after listing gets overwhelming if you aren’t ready for the experience.

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Do your Homework for What Homebuyers are Looking for

Remember the days of research for school projects?  Put those skills back to use and do your homework.  If you are planning for a day of showings, arm yourself with the MLS listing for each one you plan to see, if possible.  In advance, have a list of needs, a list of wants, and a list of disadvantages.  You’ll be able to evaluate homes with a much more objective standard if you can compare each one against values you have already set.

Don’t just look for similar homes in your price range; know what different price points will buy.  That way you can spot a good deal the moment you notice some extra amenities that normally come with a higher price tag.

Think Like a Boy Scout

Be prepared!  This is by far the best way to minimize the stress of buying a home.  Don’t leave home without a camera (one with video capabilities is even better), notepad and pen, comfortable shoes, and snacks.  Yes, snacks.  You’ll be glad for the energy boost halfway through the hunt!

Image via: John Kraemer & Sons

Map the Hunt

You may know where each house is, but do you know how to look at them?  Walk through the house to get an idea of the layout and quickly determine if it’s a contender.  If it is, go through each room methodically, checking the same things in each one: fixtures, wall and flooring quality, amenities, etc.  Take photos, or bring a trusty companion (who won’t try to influence your opinions) to document important features.  As soon as you leave, while the impressions are still fresh, make notes of anything that stood out.  Don’t bother to do this while you are still inside, you’ll be too busy writing to look around.  You will leave all the information you need to feel confident and organized during the peak-buying season!

For more home selling tips on Stagetecture, click here.

A big house on a hill (or at least half an acre of land) with a fence in a nice neighborhood. This is the description of what most of us would call the “American Dream”. However, sometimes that term is used so much as a cliché that we don’t really take the time out to think about why home ownership is such an important goal.

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Have you ever wondered what some of the main benefits to home ownership actually are? If so, check out these top five benefits:

It’s something that you own.

When you’re renting out an apartment, condo or yes, even a house, this means that it belongs to someone else and that you’re paying money in order to use the space. Some people find this to be a pretty close equivalent to throwing money down the drain because at least with a mortgage, you are investing money into something that you actually own. “They” have a pretty valid point.

It boosts your credit.

If you want a way to raise your credit score, purchasing a home is certainly one way to do it. Now, of course, this means that you need to make your monthly mortgage payments on time, but if you do, in time, you could actually cause your credit score to go up by as much as 35 percent.

It’s a great tax write-off.

If you’re in the market for a house, did you know that any house wanted can give you a pretty good tax write-off? Things that you can deduct from your taxes as it relates to your home include property taxes; if you are having your house built, the interest in your construction loan; the monthly interest as it relates to your mortgage payments and the “prepaid interest” that is connected to the closing costs of your house.

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It is an investment that only increases in value.

Unlike a car that actually depreciates in value the moment that you drive it off of the car lot, a house is a purchase that tends to increase in value over time. For the past half century or so, on average, houses have gone up between 5-6 percent. What this means is that if you purchased a home that is $250,000, its value could escalate to somewhere between $75-100,000 over the next decade. Plus, if you make eco-friendly improvements to the home like installing energy-efficient appliances, double-pane windows and insulating your pipes, that could make the value of the house go up even more.

It brings about a great sense of stability.

When you are renting property, this means that each year, you have to sign a lease. This also means that each year, the landlord has the right to either invite you to renew it or not. If you are someone who likes having a sense of stability and doesn’t want the thought of having to move looming over your head every 6-12 months, this is another great reason to become a home owner. It’s not just about having a house, but having a place that you truly can call “home”.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether you’re looking for a vacation home, you’re preparing for retirement, or you simply want to surround yourself with the beauty of nature, away from the madding crowd of urban living, waterfront property can provide the serene setting you’ve been dreaming of. And there are a lot of obvious benefits to choosing such real estate. However, like any major financial transaction, you need to take the time to consider potential drawbacks, as well, before you jump into the deep end. So here are just few aspects of a waterfront property purchase that you should definitely think about.

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1.Cost.

Aside from the upfront cost to buy waterfront property (which is often pretty steep), you need to consider that there may be added costs for insurance and maintenance when you choose to live near water. If you can barely afford the purchase price you may not be prepared to take on the additional costs associated with waterfront living.

2. Market stability.

Yes, the housing market is in a bad way at the moment, with no signs of making a speedy recovery. So purchasing pricy waterfront property can be scary proposition. But as the saying goes, location is everything, and certain beach communities seem to be holding steady while others continue to see decreases in sales (and lowering prices). If you’re looking for a property that is likely to remain stable over the next couple of years, consider communities that have enduring appeal and that don’t see a lot of new construction (like Nantucket Island, for example). It won’t guarantee market stability, but your home is more likely to retain value over time.

3. Type of water.

You might not think that it makes a difference whether you purchase a lakefront property or a house that is mere steps from the ocean, but the type of water you choose to live near should be a consideration, and not just because of the view. You should always stop to think about how the climate you live in is going to affect the longevity of your home, and certain locales may take more of a toll on your structure, leading to additional maintenance (more frequent repairs and replacement of materials). Whereas a coastal home may be buffeted by strong winds and scoured by salt water spray, a lake home could be subjected to constant moisture. And don’t forget about the potential for shoreline erosion, sediment deposits, and seasonal tides that could affect a property placed too close to the water.

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4. Wildlife.

Sources of water are a natural draw for all sorts of wildlife, although you will mainly have to contend with fish and birds. For some people this is a bonus of living near wetlands. But others will find that cohabitating with wild animals comes with odors, racket, and other detriments they cannot abide. Just so you know, the wildlife isn’t likely to move out.

5. Seasonal storms.

Whether you’re living in your Malibu dream home, you’ve procured a lake house in the Adirondacks, or you’re looking at Galt Ocean Mile condos on the Florida coast, you need to consider if seasonal storms are going to pose a threat to your property (and potentially your life). Certain areas are notorious for harsh weather and serious storms (hello, hurricanes); you need to be aware of such dangers before you buy.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

It’s a buyer’s market. This fact alone makes selling your home even more difficult than ever before. Homebuyers have so many options; new construction seems to constantly compete with the sale of older, ‘used’ homes – making the staging of your home a key criterion for a quick sale. After all, what better way to compete with new construction than to make your home look like new?!

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De-clutter:

In order to make your home appealing, you will have to de-clutter.  Grab a few boxes and begin packing up the non-essentials.  Your home may not be sold yet, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a jump on the packing. Clear out and pack up all your closets, cupboards, counter tops, and drawers of everything you don’t plan to use in the next month or so.  Also, be sure to pack up all those decorative items such as picture frames, trophies, candles etc…. These are all personal items that will not help to sell your home. In fact, some studies show that personal photos can deter buyers, making them feel like it is not their home. If you want to sell house fast, then remove all personal items related to yourself and family for a neutral interior.

A good coat of paint:

Once your home is cleaned up and clutter-free, it is time to patch all those holes left from picture hooks, and other dents from wear and tear. Pick a neutral paint color, such as a buttery, toned-down yellow or beige and begin painting – everywhere. Nothing says welcome to your new home more than a clean paint job.

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Keep things neutral:

Your personal decorating style may be the right choice for you, but not every potential buyer may agree. If you have items that may not suit everyone’s tastes then again pack them away. For example, maybe you have an affinity for the French country style so you have long toile drapes all over the house. These drapes may turn some buyers off, and block the view of great windows. It is best to take these down and replace them with plain white wood blinds that can rolled up, opening up the window frame and making the room feel larger.

Having a friend come by to look at your home from a different viewpoint can always help. They may be able to pick out items that are distracting since they don’t live in the home. While they are there maybe you can convince them to stay and help you pack!

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Buying your first holiday home abroad can seem like a daunting prospect, but it is actually simpler than you think, especially if you are buying with the help of a major advisor for buyers of overseas properties. The name of the company should be big enough to have had at least ten years’ experience in the business. They should represent both property developers and agents. They should offer you impartial advice that is backed up by correct information. You might want to look through a portfolio.

Perhaps you wish to buy a resale property, investment property with definite income, or by a buy off plan with maximum capital appreciation. There will always of course be issues concerning tax, accounting, legalities, perhaps mortgages and finance. You should always expect an honest and personal service when you consider buying a property abroad. It might help to do your own research online to find out exactly what your requirements are.

Image via: Sweet Home Style.Tumblr

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The Best Luxury and Exclusive Resorts Abroad

Some of the best resorts abroad include La Manga Club in Spain, Quinta do Lago in Portugal and Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus. There is also some stunning property to be found in St. Kitts and Turkey. Inspection viewing trips are often available for you to see exactly what you are going to be buying in a property abroad. Often the selling agent can organize a trip for you more efficiently. They can tailor a stay for you at very competitive rates, and an associate will often meet you at the airport to show you all you need to see.

Example Holiday Homes in Turkey

Go to an independent agent for properties in Turkey for un-biased opinions on luxury sea-view apartments, building plots, new and resale villas and off-plan sites. Turkey is a new player on the holiday home scene and is now the latest hot destination all investors are talking about. This is because pricing there is currently very competitive. Turkey also has a very fast-growing economy and inflation has lowered significantly in the last 37 years. Turkey also provides a different environment to traditional holiday destinations. Good returns are being seen by those who have recently bought property there and an increase of 10-15% is projected year-on-year.

Example Land Investment in the Cayman Islands

There is plenty of beachfront that is currently available for property development. The area is an up and coming investment area, with major benefits being zero taxation, an interest free payment plan, full and clean due diligence and prices starting from £40,000. Land is one of the most stable investments you can make right now. The Cayman Government guarantees a Land Title. Land is of course always in demand.

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What Makes a Good Agent?

A good agent should have a successful and helpful sales team, who is dedicated to giving you expert advice to help you make a final decision. They should be able to answer your queries within the same day and you should be available to contact them by email, fax or by telephone. If your agent is UK based then this may make things easier for you. They should have great contacts for mortgages and speak English. They should supply up to date news about the overseas property market. Perhaps they will have a wide portfolio that includes property abroad in Europe and elsewhere. Property is being bought for the most part in Cyprus, Egypt, Cape Verde, the Cayman Islands, Turkey, St. Kitts, Turkey, Portugal, France and Spain.

The location of your holiday home in these destinations will be very important. You should be able to search for certain homes with the right kind of search criteria online. You might like to search by property type, like by villa, apartment, townhouse or land plot. The number of bedrooms will be important. There are studio apartments available to those properties with six bedrooms or more. The currency you may like to search by includes the Great British Pound, the Euro and the American Dollar.

St Kitts real estate includes properties part of the luxury and exclusive resort called Ocean’s Edge,  which looks over the Atlantic Ocean from its luxury waterside location.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

The new year is a time that’s traditional for making big plans. Aside from stopping smoking and hitting the gym more regularly another decision people make is to buy a new home. That means that despite the cold weather and early nights people are seriously looking for new homes at this time of year. If you’re trying to sell but have found it difficult recently thanks to the constricted economy and sluggishness of the market then now could be the best time to start upping your game.

There’s no doubt that you know this already but it’s worth mentioning again, if you’ve been waiting for a buyer for some time it’s possible to become down heartened and not try so hard. Well snap out of it and look busy!

Image via: Houzz

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First Impressions Count

Your curb appeal will be curtailed in winter anyway, try and make sure your frontage is clean and tidy, that your home is nice and bright and that any plants etc… that haven’t made it have been thrown away or composted. Make sure there’s no condensation on the windows as potential buyers will assume this indicates your home might be suffering from damp or poor ventilation.

Keep An Open House

One half of a couple looking to buy a new property might prefer to be curled up at home instead of marching all over town from house to house. Keeping the pressure on your estate agents to advertise throughout the winter is key, and when people do come around make sure there are plenty of hot drinks and bites to eat to go around. Making strong positive associations between the buyer and your home is a really important element of disposing of property.

Keep The Heat Up

Purchasers will want to know that the heating system works and they will view your property more favorably if it’s a few degrees warmer than you’d normally have it. Make sure the heating comes on an hour or two before your appointment so that the house is good and warm, you may need to set the timer earlier than you normally would if people are coming over right after work. If any of your rooms or passages are generally colder than the rest of the house look at draft excludes and additional insulation.

Image via: Mtlaurel

Strike A Light

Make sure that all the bulbs throughout your home are working, people will want to see around properly and you won’t be able to rely on natural sunlight to do that. Make sure they’re of a good wattage or very bright energy saving type so that there are no gloomy spots and make sure your security lights are all in order as well, the dark evenings will make this particularly noticeable to the buyer.

@DanCash is a copywriter living in the UK. Selling is very hard at the moment but with the right estate agents and property management a sale can still be one.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

7 Essential Property Maintenance Tips

A home is a large investment and if neglected, the property will pay no dividends if you ever decide to sell. Good property maintenance is essential no matter if you are a new homeowner or just interested in real estate investing. If it’s properly maintained and improved, you will see high yield returns and avoid costly repair bills in the long run.

In addition, home improvements tend to propel certain neighborhoods into the desirable category. As a result, property values increase as well. From an economic standpoint, home improvements can bring increased markets for homes in that area, which leads to a more prosperous community.

Image via: Spring Ville Construction

Obviously, the price you will get for your property investment will be determined, ultimately, by how much a potential buyer wants your home. So if you keep your house well decorated, clean, and well maintained you are much more likely to get top price for it when you decide to sell.

So how can you decide between do-it-yourself (or DIY) renovations vs. hiring a contractor?

Do-it-yourself (or DIY)

If the idea is to make the most money you can for any real estate you invest in which it is you can save a ton of cash by doing much of the essential home maintenance yourself. That is, of course, if you’re handy with tools and have the experience in home renovations. However, if you are not knowledgeable in electrical wiring, plumbing, heating systems, and architecture wiring your property investment or cutting through that walls may cost you more repairs in the long run. In this case you should seek help from the professionals. If you do choose to DIY your home; don’t skimp on the materials. You don’t need to buy the most expensive flooring and kitchen cabinets, however, home decor that looks good is typically also easy to maintain and it will be durable.

Paying a contractor

If you plan to pay a contractor to do your home maintenance, take care to choose one with a reputation for price and quality workmanship. There are several ways to check a contractor’s references, including:

• Ask the contractor for former costumer references
• Do a search through your local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau or local consumer protection agency
• Visit the contractor’s place of business
• Ask for a contractor recommendation through wholesale suppliers
• Ask friends and relatives to recommend a contractor

Once you’ve decided to DIY or hire a contractor, follow this list of essential property maintenance tips to keep the value of your home growing:

Image via: Home Interior Designs

1. Essential home maintenance tools:

Regardless of it you hire a contractor or DIY home maintenance, all home owners should have the basic tools on hand including a range of screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers, a measuring tape, caulking, special pliers to strip wires for rewriting plugs, a standard wrench for plumbing leaks, insulation, and gaffer and masking tape. You should also keep a decent ladder on hand for cleaning gutters and for roof and window inspection. Chose a ladder that reaches the very top of your house and keep it safely locked up in your shed or basement when not in use.

2. Essential home necessities:

In addition to the tools above, you’ll also require home consumables like extra fuses and light bulbs, washers, sink and pipe unclogger, grout filler and various screws and wall plugs.

Image via: About.com

3. Walls:

The skeleton of your house may endure surface cracks or damage to the wallpaper or paint. Repair any widening cracks as soon as possible. Likewise, keep an eye out for damp or dry rot in your walls especially in the bathroom. You want to ensure that moisture and condensation isn’t settling into the walls by installing a ceiling fan. Small dents and scratches can be easy DIY repairs using new paint or wall decor.

4. Windows:

Check your windows regularly for condensation or leaks. Be sure to wipe away any excess condensation and caulk any leaks. You should also paint wooden windows yourself every three years (minimum) to prevent and restore weather damage.

Image via: Pitut

5. Floors:

The floors in your property will get more damage to them than any other surface especially if you have pets or children, or if you’re doing renovations in work boots. Try your best to keep the carpets dirt free and the hard wood floors unscuffed by keeping mats by all entrances, asking visitors to remove their shoes, and cleaning scuffs and spills quickly. Before you sell, you may also want to rent a carpet steam cleaner or get a professional steam clean service to do it for you.

6. Plumbing:

Tighten any dripping taps with a handy wrench, and check pipes and taps regularly.

7. Electrical:

Basic maintenance, like replacing plugs, can be done on a DIY basis. Just adhere to caution by turning off the power source before you tinker. Any serious problems or major installations should be looked at by a qualified electrician.

Heather J. Sanchez is a freelance writer who enjoys analyzes the truths, debunking the myths, examining the legalities and exposing the trends of real estate investing with her articles. As the owner of multiple rental properties, and flipped houses, Heather believes that Real Estate Investors help put money back into the North American economy. She knows a good real estate investment and a lemon when she sees one and she’ll always provide the solid statistics to back up her facts on why you should invest.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Today’s real estate market is very tight. Even if you consult a real estate agent and price your home at market value, it may take a very long time to sell and may not sell at all. However, there are some things you can do to increase the chances that your home will sell quickly and at the price you are asking.

Image courtesy of New Homes Section

Compare Home Buying to Car Buying

Imagine yourself on a car lot. You are looking for a specific make, model and year, and the salesperson tells you that there are sixty of them on the lot. As you begin to look at cars, you notice that all the prices are about the same, but all the cars don’t seem to be equal. Some are very clean and well-maintained, with neat stacks of maintenance receipts nestled alongside original owner’s manuals. Others are scratched and filthy, with ratty carpet and sagging headliners. Most are average, with a little brake dust on the rims and a few worn places in the carpet.

Which car are you going to choose? If there isn’t much difference in price, you are going to choose a shiny, clean car with an immaculate interior. In fact, you probably won’t even take one of the less attractive cars for a test drive, let alone take the trouble to finance it and drive it home.

People who are looking for new homes are no different. In today’s market, buyers have a choice, and they will almost always choose the prettiest, shiniest home in the area. To make a buyer eager to take on the financial responsibility of a new home, the home must have something that sets it apart. If you cannot afford to give your home an attractive price, or if you would rather get more for it, you will have to find another way to make people want it. It’s a good idea to polish your home to a high gloss before you list it, since you will have most of your showings during the first couple of weeks after your home is listed.

Image courtesy of Andy Exclusive Design

Assess your home and fix it up

The first step to making your home into an example of what real estate agents call “shiny pennies” is to take a walk through it and note every ding and defect you can find. Patch, paint, repair or replace every problem area you notice. In fact, if you haven’t painted in a while, it’s usually a good idea to repaint your entire house. Have your carpets professionally cleaned, and repair or replace worn or damaged flooring. Just because you hardly notice the missing globe on the light in the living room any more doesn’t mean that a buyer won’t.

Image courtesy of Arthictetural

Cleaning

Once your home is in the best possible shape, do a thorough cleaning. This is not to imply that your home is not clean. However, potential buyers open closets, poke around in attics and even examine crawl spaces. They will find dirt you don’t even know exists. Furthermore, to a potential buyer your home is not a place where someone lives. It’s a showroom. As difficult as it is to live in a showroom, keeping your home looking like one during the selling process will pay off in the end. Making everything in your home as picture-perfect as possible will make it easier for buyers to picture themselves living happily in your home.

This post was contributed by John Palmer from Hotpoint Washing Machines.  John lives in Surrey, United Kingdom.  He is a passionate finance blogger, having featured for many national newspapers.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.