Amy Hughes from This Old House has reviewed several tool kits targed to women. 

Click here to read the article and learn more about these popular tool kits for women.

Great news!  Crate and Barrel is opening at Blue Back Square in West Hartford October 18th!  (Corner of South Main & Memorial Drive).  Sure beats driving to Boston or Providence!

I just love their clean lines and warm colors.  It's a home stager's dream!  Just think of all the shipping charges I'll save!

 SEE UPDATED PICS AT BOTTOM OF POST...

I'm buying a shed today.  Not a big one.  Just 8' x 10'.  It's cute...two little windows, peaked roof, 2 additional vents.  It's not for my staging inventory, however.  It's supposed to be for the kid's outside toys and seasonal stuff that occasionally clogs easy access to our garage. 

So of course, I'll have to do a little design work on it...paint the shutters to match the house, add a flower box, perhaps a little garden in front of it.  I'll add some practical yet attractive hooks and other "holder's of stuff" inside so it can stay organized.  However, I have a sneaking suspicion that it may be come a "man house" for my husband.  Any ideas?

But seriously, I doubt I'll ever set foot in it once it's done...he's positioning it at the edge of the woods, and I have a feeling that spiders might move in.  So here is my question...anyone have a great proactive solution for keeping spiders out of a shed in a wooded area?  Yea, it's quite a phobia I have!

Also, any ideas on how to design it as a man house?  I could really have some fun with this!

UPDATE:  Here is our new shed, or (as my 2 year old calls it...the "Man House").   First, the outside:

And (drum roll please)....staged for a man!!!  Note the understated clean lines, subtle use of color, and great view.  Surley no man would struggle visualizing a purpose for THIS room!

There is that awkward moment when your realtor is fumbling with the lock box to get the key, and you (the buyer) are patiently waiting and subconsciously creating an image of the home you are about to see. Could this be the one? Such anticipation!

This holding pen outside the front door is a golden opportunity for a savvy seller to set the stage for the buyers tour of their home. That front door area is where first impressions start, and it truly creates the tone for the rest of the home tour. Just three simple steps can make your front door set the wow tone for potential buyers: Clean, Update and Stage!

Clean:

• Trim back bushes, pull weeds, throw down some fresh mulch, plant some flowers, etc.
• Sweep out the porch, steps and walkway (do not forget the cobwebs).
• Wipe down the front door (and screen door, if you have one).
• Polish door knobs and light fixtures.
• Power wash if necessary.

Update: Now that you can see everything, does anything need updated or repaired?

• What is the condition of the front door? Does it stick? Do you have to swing your hip into it to get it open? Make sure it operates smoothly.
• What about your screen door? If it does not work smoothly, or if it is an eyesore, take it down.
• Do the steps need repaired? Is the handrail sturdy? Chances are these types of repairs might show up on an inspectors list anyway. Might as well fix them now.
• Light fixtures - are they worn out or dated? Do the light bulbs work? Make it shine!

Stage: Now you have your clean canvas to work with. Look at your front door objectively.

• Are your house numbers up to par, or looking a little worn (or outdated)?
• Pitch your welcome mat and spring for a new one. That one small investment can make a huge difference!
• If you have room, add a welcoming seating area (but please, no cheap looking lawn chairs!).
• Add some natural elements, ideally potted plants. Choose something bold and of proper scale to make an impression.
• If appropriate, add a seasonal wreath. Just make sure it is not too cutsie and please, no dried flowers (they represent death in some cultures).
• Adding solar-powered lights along the walk way or spotlights highlighting a tree can also make a big impact.

I would be remiss if I did not take this subject to the next step. What happens once they walk inside your home? Keep up the momentum and stage the inside of your home too! A professional stager has the objective ability to see your home as a buyer would see it, and make resourceful, yet meaningful changes to how your home is presented.  Active Rain is a wonderful resource to help find a professional stager in your area.

Susan Smith
Rooms That Work
Your home, only better.
www.roomsthatwork.com
susan@roomsthatwork.com
860.808.4171

No one ever said it wouldn't get sweaty! And I'm in Connecticut! Can't imagine what southern stagers endure!

Many of you saw this article from a previous post, and thank you for your many kind comments! 

I've since submitted it to eZine Aricles and was just published!  Click here to see it!

Susan Smith
Rooms That Work
Your home, only better.
www.roomsthatwork.com

Check this out...a bottle that can double as a tripod!  It just snaps on a soda or water bottle cap.  I found it in Real Simple mag. 

Official Description: An idea so simple I'm wondering why I didn't think of it myself. A Bottle Top Tripod called "Snaps On A Bottle"! Need to steady your camera but don't want to lug around a cumbersome tripod? Just pop a Snaps On A Bottle into your pocket and you're all set. Incredibly convenient and guaranteed to help turn you into a master photographer (well, hopefully!). The Snaps On A Bottle screws onto a regular PET bottle. It has a height of 1.9 inches.

Click here to buy!

Staging is NOT...

...Decorating - Anyone can make a home look decorated.  Staging is about marketing your home to your target buyer.  In fact, personal taste has nothing to do with it.  It's about making a great first impression that creates an emotional connection with buyers and helps them imagine themselves living there.

...Just for high-end homes - Every home deserves its best chance at selling quickly and for top dollar whether a starter home or a mansion.  Remember, you are competing with other homes within your price range!

...Expensive - A Stager is creative and resourceful professional who can work with just about any budget.  A stager can be hired to do the actual staging, or prepare a detailed staging plan that the homeowner can do themselves. Remember, the cost of staging is always less than a price reduction, and typically less than a mortgage payment.

...Only for vacant homes - While critical for vacant homes, staging is equally as effective in occupied homes. How you live in your home is different than how you sell it.  A stager can work with your existing belongings to bring out your home's best assets and appeal to buyers.  Another perk...you'll be a step ahead in packing for your move!

...Intrusive - Yes, you can live comfortably in your staged home (even with kids)!  Ok, it may be a little inconvenient, but not as inconvenient as not selling your home quickly.  Remember, it's only temporary!  And who knows...maybe your family will learn some good habits in the process!

...Something your Real Estate Agent should do - They have enough to do just marketing your home (yes, they do far more than most homeowners know!).  A professional stager has specialized skills plus passion for creating that fantastic first impression that will appeal to your target buyer.  After all, you wouldn't hire a roofer to do your plumbing, right?

...Something you can easily do yourself - Tempting? Yes.  Practical? No.  It is just too difficult to see your home from a buyer's eye when you've been living in it (remember the "forest for the trees" quote?).  It's not a matter of having great design taste; it's about showcasing the home sans your personal touches and belongings.  Anyway, aren't you pretty busy getting ready for a move?  If you really want to do it yourself, hire a stager to prepare a detailed plan for you to follow. You'll be glad you did!

...Major renovation - It's not like you see on TV.  Not every home needs a brand new kitchen or a wall knocked down. While some painting or fixture upgrades may be recommended, it's typically it's the minor, inexpensive enhancements that make the biggest difference.

...A "Last Resort" effort - Timing is important. Ideally, you should stage your home before listing it to best capitalize on the early fresh traffic.  Already listed and not yet sold?  All is not lost...get your home staged, and then re-introduce it to the market.  You'll be amazed!

...Optional - unless, of course, you don't really want to sell fast and make more money.  Your home is competing with other homes and new construction.  O.K. is just not good enough when you're selling in a competitive market.

Selling your home?  Call a home stager and learn how they can help you!  Active Rain is a great place to find qualified stagers in your area!

Susan Smith
Rooms That Work
Your home, only better.
www.roomsthatwork.com
susan@roomsthatwork.com

Thinking about moving? Before you put your house on the market, close your eyes and remember back to when you bought your house. You probably looked at several homes, and maybe even had a checklist of what you wanted in a new home.

What was the first thing you noticed about your home?

• Was the furniture out-dated?
• Were the colors on the walls too strong or just too wrong?
• Was there lots of ‘stuff' everywhere?
• Was the home vacant?
• Were any repairs needed?

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, chances are you didn't pay the full asking price for the home. Am I right?

Now open your eyes, and look at your home through buyer's eyes. Look around. When a buyer walks through your home, what do their eyes spy?

• A reason not to make an offer at all
• A chance to get a real deal on your home
• A place they can call home

Buyers decide within 8 seconds if they feel a connection with a home. And, if they view a home as needing work, they won't offer top dollar.

Did you know...

• Home Staging creates a great first impression to help your listing stand out from the competition.
• Staged homes typically sell twice as fast and for more money.
• And it's not expensive. In fact, Staging will always cost less than a price reduction!

Stage it, List it, Sell it. Contact Rooms That Work to learn how we can help you!