Goodbye 2017 and what a year it was!!!

Goodbye 2017 and what a year it was!!!

What a year it was!!! This year was a fantastic year in Real Estate it was almost impossible to keep up with the demand.

Continue reading Goodbye 2017 and what a year it was!!!

Steps to Lake Ontario,

Steps to Lake Ontario with spectacular views!

Relax and take a break with your favorite book and a glass of wine. This is la Bella vita…

Continue reading Steps to Lake Ontario,

Images Staged with Flair a year in review

Take a look at our video,  Images Staged with Flair, a year in review. This year proves to be a phenomenal Real Estate Year that has proven to show fantastic growth in Niagara area properties. That growth created a trickle effect that spilled to other businesses that are involved in Real Estate.

Well, here we are another year has gone by and we are celebrating another Christmas holiday season and winding down the end of a fantastic year 2106. Hello my name is Anna Topolinsky owner of Images Staged with Flair, take a look at or video of some of the homes we staged this year. we were fortunate to work with top Realtors(R) Home Builders, such as Eric Wiens Construction and Bice Builders, both building quality custom homes.

We discovered that this year was the year that we worked with many home investors that buy, renovate, stage and sell. These investors have realized the importance of incorporating  home staging into their budget as a very smart investment, knowing they will receive the best RIO on their money spent.

We would like to wish all or clients the very best for the Holiday Season and we look forward to 2017!

Images Staged with Flair

www.imagesstagedwithflair.ca

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Does the “Counter” affect the “Offer”?

 One common question I hear from clients when offering consultation is, ”Should I replace my countertops?”

If your countertops are damaged, no matter the price point of your home, they should be replaced. No one will purchase a home that is not well cared for. If they do, they expect a much lower purchase price. It would cost less to replace the countertops.

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Another downside to not replacing them is that most potential buyers are in the market for move-in ready. So even if you lower the price to accommodate, you are more likely to lose some potential offers altogether.

So the next question is, “What do I replace the counter with?”

Will updated Formica do?  There is granite, quartz, Butcher block, and so many, many choices.  The answer is based on a few questions about the property.

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What is the condition of your home?

What are the comparables in the area?

If your home is in good shape and has had many upgrades throughout then having updated counters will give you the edge to show your home as move in ready.

There are many grades of granite at different price points, so your choice should depend on the price point of your home. In $200 and $300-thousand and under, stone countertops are not typically expected but would give you the edge over your competition. If your price point is more than $300.000  plus then most buyers are looking for granite and are willing to pay extra.

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Last consideration when  replacing countertops is the condition of your kitchen cabinets. They should be solid and in good condition. Shiny new counters, especially a higher-end countertop like granite, added on top of dated old cabinets makes those cabinets stick out like a sore thumb and just serves to highlight how awful they really are.

So clean them up, replace the hardware, re-stain and/or paint the cabinetry and it will compliment those beautiful new stone countertops and make your investment shine.

If you have a question for “Ask The Home Staging Expert”, please contact 

Images Staged with Flair

905-980-4962

www.imagesstagedwithflair.ca

Junior League Holiday House Tour

Junior League Christmas Holiday House Tour

Every year, generous homeowners loan their houses to the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington Holiday House Tour and they are transformed  to showcase stunning holiday décor and entertainment ideas. This year is no exception. Continue reading Junior League Holiday House Tour

Staging the Bathroom: The Most Important Room per Square Foot in Everyone’s Home.

home staging bathrooms

Staging the Bathroom: The Most Important Room per Square Foot in Everyone’s Home.

 

home staging bathrooms

Major renovations usually include plans for updating  the bathroom, so it makes sense when you’re home staging to pay careful attention to these areas. Even though they are utilitarian in nature, these rooms will have special appeal to prospective buyers and winning here can make a big difference in your sale.

 

Some definite no-no’s when staging your bathroom include, getting rid of the matching toilet covers and rug. Those items scream, “20 years ago” so loud that the neighbours will be able to hear.  Replacing old socket covers, pitted

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faucets and outdated light fixtures. Your prospective buyer will only be thinking of how much they are going to cost to replace and getting rid of the plastic shower curtain and all the water stains with it, should top your to do list.

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You may love the ruffled crochet toilet paper cover with a doll’s figurine that has been in your family for years and you are welcome to take it with you when you move, but please pack it away now before the first walk through.

 

Check out “Unique Towel Folding” by curbnotes.com on YouTube. The almost half a million views are a testament to how important this exercise can be. Since your buyer will be checking out the linen closet, we spend some time here folding, rolling and otherwise organizing the shelves, uncluttering them to make the closet look as spacious as possible.

home staging bathrooms

Since the old plastic shower curtain is now a drop cloth for painting, hang a new cloth shower curtain with a liner. Like all things in the bathroom, choose neutral colors and match them or select the occasional complementary colour for a bright, but subtle “pop”. Leave the shower curtain open a little if it makes the room look larger.

home staging bathrooms

A quick wipe-down of the bathroom before anyone enters is required; and replacing old slivered, soap bars with fresh ones is a matter of good housekeeping, but making sure that everyone in the house is obeying the golden rule of bathroom etiquette is a crucial step for preparing your home for showing and that one truly universal step is to always, always keep the lid down!

 

Images Stage with Flair

905-980-4962

www.imagesstagedwithflai.ca

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12 of the Best Home Staging Fails, ever.

12 of the Best Home Staging Fails, Ever.

By Anna Topolinsky

Around the Internet you can find great ideas for staging your home to sell at the best possible price. For the crafty and the DIY expert alike those ideas can add a great deal to your return on investment.

For the less talented, staging your home for resale can be a fruitless pursuit that resembles less Martha Stewart’s “It’s a Good Thing” and more Marge Simpsons’ “I Don’t Think That’s a Good Idea”.

So here for your amusement, if not your information are 12 of the very best home staging fails from around the world of the internet!

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1)Place mats for valences!!

Even if they all match, using place mats for valences will not fly (nor will that parrot, I am guessing)

home staging tips

2) See-through air conditioner covers.

If you can’t find or make a custom fitted one you could at least trim the excess material.  So much is wrong with this picture….carpet in kitchen And that table setting!!

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3) People in your the staged real estate shots.

Also, you may want to replace that dated ceiling  but really, light bulbs are $1.99.There is no point in having pillows on your sofa if they are only an inch thick!

home staging tips

4) Throw pillows..

Almost anywhere else in the room would have been better….  this one makes me LOL!! People THIS IS NOT staging!

home staging tips

5) We mentioned that people in the photos are a no-no (see #3). Mannequins are just creepy.

This one made me speechless which is very rare! Can you imagine the nightmares children will have after viewing this room with their parents.

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6) To help prospective buyers picture themselves in their new home, limit the personal interest items on display. I always tell my clients to remove personal momentous along with most of their personal pictures BUT this is a little obvious!

The 4 bottles of wine on the table probably says everything about you that we need to know.

home staging tips

7) Trying too hard for “high-design”

It’s like the “centre-justify” for apples. I couldn’t help myself I would have to eat one and throw the whole design off!

home staging tips

8) A spare room for guests – that you don’t really like.

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9) The mark of a true amateur is stashing stuff you don’t want seen. Because no one will wonder when the Realtor says, “There is nothing behind that door. Really. Nothing.” YIKES!

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10) It is possible to go to far clearing the clutter. And those pictures are hung far too high looks like Mildred has a spot to check out the neighbourhood and see what everyone is doing.

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11) Amazing what you can do with a little paint if you really want to be creative! Oh my!

 

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12) Finally, leaving a can of raid out in the open is definitely a deal breaker.

Bonus Fail

Of course the biggest fail is not hiring a professional stager

 Images Staged with Flair

To book your consultation call

905-980-4962

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Home Staging: Before and after what a difference!

before and after home staging

Home Staging: Before and after what a difference!

By Anna Topolinsky

In the last 8 years, we have staged many homes.  We love looking at the before and after pictures as yo can see such a huge transformation. Some, like our vacant model homes are easy to stage. Our favorite types of homes to stage are vacant homes, where investors have put sweat and tears into remodeling and creating beautiful finishes.

Continue reading Home Staging: Before and after what a difference!

The Big Move for Images Staged with Flair

home staging

The Big Move for Images Staged with Flair.

By Anna Topolinsky, Owner of Images Staged with Flair

 

 We needed to make the big move!It is no secret that the housing market in the Golden Horseshoe has been hot! Hotter than most people can remember it ever being. Prices are up and it has been a busy year for Real Estate Brokers, Home Builders, Property Investors, Stagers like us, and Movers too!

Continue reading The Big Move for Images Staged with Flair

Don’t Look under the Rug and Other Practical Tips for Staging your Home.

home stager

Here are a few practical tips for staging your home. There are some big issues, like the oxblood feature wall, that are best handled through an extensive consultation (if not through a sound psychological examination), but today I’d like to address some short tips I have for you on some niggling little issues you might find when staging your home for sale.

Continue reading Don’t Look under the Rug and Other Practical Tips for Staging your Home.