Transformation Tuesday & Home Staging "All I Want is a Photograph"

Here is our Transformation Tuesday Home Staging Post!

You have heard it time and time again - take down family photos!  De-personalize your home as much as possible when listing.  

I have my own thoughts on family photos in the home and displaying them when the home is being listed for sale!

1. Some photos NEED/ MUST to come down, but you don't have to take them all down (in my opinion)

 For example - Family Photo Galleries on walls can be a distraction.  The galleries are designed to attract the eye to the gallery!  People will be curious as to who lives in a home, but they don't need to be perusing your wall of photos; they need to be viewing your home.



 While charming, this photo gallery would be a distraction to a potential purchaser




 I have seen some homes where there are over 50 family photos just in ONE ROOM! That's too much (In my humble opinion) even if your home is not on the market.  Make sure you have the paint or a the chip in case you have to paint over areas that have those darling photo galleries.  You can replace the gallery with a few framed pieces of artwork to fill and compliment the space!


A photo or two in a book case, on a chest of drawers or night stand is OK.  After all, you are still "living" in your home while it's listed.   I think if all personal items are removed a home might look too sterile and some buyers might think the home has a "cold" feeling!

2. Another area many times that house a lot of photos - The Refrigerator!
And not only photos, but magnets etc etc - Clean Off that Fridge!

 And while you are at it - if you store items on top of the fridge - clear those off too! 😬















Transform your home into a house that a buyer focuses on the house, the space and the features!  Don't allow them to get distracted by photos that they don't see all your home has to offer!

Here is an example of a living space with just one photo - you see the space and not the family!

We hope this gives you a better prespective that we don't feel you have to completely strip your home of who lives there... but you should remove items/photos if they could/would be a distraction to potential buyers!  If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them!

And if you are in need of a real estate professional 

that can also offer home staging!  

 The Schwark Team is the Team to choose!

Hashtag Transformation Tuesday and Real Estate

Definition:

Transformation Tuesday is a popular trend and hashtag (#TransformationTuesday) people use on Instagram.
On Tuesdays, Instagram users are encouraged to post “transformational” photos of themselves along with the hashtag in the description. Many instagramers create them in the form of a “before and after” photo, many times using photo collage maker apps to break up the photo into two parts. One side shows the before photo, and the other side shows the after photo.

I have even posted a #tt pic to Instagram (don't laugh)

So what does #TransformationTuesday have to do with a real estate blog?  Well today it has to do with renovating! 

It has been our experience, as long time real estate brokers, that many buyers want a "ready to move into home".  A home that does not need any work or updating.  Some buyers don't even want to bother with painting a small bedroom.  There are many reasons that some homeowners and home buyers do not want to put any time or effort into painting, updating or remodeling a home.  For some it is time, for some it is money, and still some don't have the vision to see beyond orange carpet or dated cabinets.  It can be a stumbling block!  You walk into a home and you are greeted with 1970's shag carpet, brown appliances and it's "WHOA!  This home is not for me!" But if you are a person who is not afraid of taking the time, a little money and can see a diamond in the rough.. you can find a lovely, well built home that is just in need of some updating. And of course there are times a home needs a major renovation as well.  The updates, remodel or renovation most likely will not happen over night.  But if you are willing... renovations, updates or remodels can be rewarding. You have to budget your time and money, but buying a home that needs some transformation can be not only a good investment, but also very satisfying at the end of the day! 

Recently we had a lovely listing that was in need of updating.  The home was built in the 30's and had been wallpapered, carpeted etc over the years.  A bathroom was added, and truthfully the home was in need of some changes to bring it in trend for the current decade!  We knew that the right buyer would have to come along.  A buyer that wanted an older home.  A buyer that was not afraid of working hard on renovations.   A buyer that would love the home and give the house the much needed updates to provide the comforts of modern day living without compromising the beauty of days gone by...

And the right buyer came along! 

So today I present our version of #TransformationTuesday by sharing* a few before and after photos of a listing we not only loved, but love even more that the right buyer came along to make it their home! 

 

As you can see... the homeowners pulled up the carpet in the living room, exposing gorgeous hardwood floors.  Painting the trim, woodwork and walls to create a cozy, warm home without compromising the integrity of the era of this home. 

 

The kitchen before had some older, but still functional appliances.  Older but functional cabinetry.

One option a homeowner could exercise would be to clean, paint the cabinets and update the hardware. Reuse the appliances, remove the wallpaper & add a coat of paint to the walls.  A very doable update that many have the ability to take on! 

These photos show the homeowner chose to gut and remodel the entire kitchen!  New ceiling, new flooring, counter tops and cabinetry!  It's gorgeous!  And still holds the integrity of the home! 

The eat in area of the kitchen was replaced with cabinetry, '
The refrigerator was moved to this end of the kitchen and
movable island was added!  What a transformation!

 

Today there are many options home buyers and home owners have to renovate or remodel their homes or a home they would like to purchase.  203K rehab loans are gaining in popularity.  While this type of loan traditionally will take longer to get to the closing table, it can prove to be the right type of loan, for the right buyer for the right type of home.  A loan officer who is an expert in this type of loan is the key!  We can help you find the right home and refer the loan officers who are well versed in this type of loan to make the transaction a smooth process from purchase to closing table.  Patience and perseverance are key!

 

Sometimes just a bit of time, money and elbow grease (or hiring a good contractor) can give a home you want to buy a lovely face lift!  Or is you are thinking of selling, you might consider a transformation to make your home more marketable.  It does not have to be drastic.  Sometimes a fresh coat a paint, some new light fixtures can do the trick!

 

Whether buying, or if you are thinking of selling, as real estate brokers we can advise you along the way.    Should you renovate a kitchen or bathroom before selling?  Should you transform one or more areas of your home before it hits the market?  If those are some of the questions you are asking yourself... give us a call.  We would be happy to advise you as to what will make your home more marketable and what investment could get more of a return. 

 

We hope you enjoy the #transformationtuesday photos of one of our favorite listings to date!  We would LOVE to see some of your home transformation photos!  Please share them on our Our Facebook Page!

 

And as always, should you or anyone you know be in need of a real estate professional, we would GREATLY appreciate the referral!

 

 

* photos were used with permission of homeowner