Everything you need to know to get your house ready for the market or stage it

- General Resources (Part 2)

Preparing your home to sell is not just about de-cluttering, purging and organizing your belongings, it is also about presenting your space with its “best foot forward!” In order to help you, our clients, we want to provide a quick list of resources/people of importance that homeowners should consider when getting ready to sell.

When you decide to sell it is important to find a good realtor. Seek out somebody who knows your area well and somebody that you can trust. If you do not know of somebody specifically, interview a few realtors to find one that works for you!

Once you have established your realtor, do a walk through of your home to determine what work needs to be done. Often your realtor can give you the inside scoop on what potential buyers are immediately looking for and what will freshen your space to make it more appealing. Because time is of the essence, bringing in some trades to do the work quickly and efficiently will speed up the process and take some pressure off of you.

If general repairs are needed, make a list of everything that needs to be taken care of in order to help prioritize. Make sure all light fixtures are working, walls are touched up and painted (if scratches or holes are prevalent) and kitchen and bath cabinets are aligned and functioning properly. If you live in an older home be sure that all knobs are on doors and cabinets. Also take a look at carpets and assess whether they should be cleaned or even replaced. If your list is long and time is short we suggest calling a handyman that is capable of doing various jobs around the house. If specific trades people are needed, such as painters, plumbers or electricians, bring them in after your general repairs have been completed. Once this is done we recommend bringing in a cleaner to do major clean that you will only need to maintain throughout the selling process.

Lastly, but not least important, pay attention to the exterior of your house and front yard! First impressions last forever and initially, potential buyers are met with your homes façade. Consider a fresh coat of paint or power washing as well as bringing in a gardener to weed out old and wilting plants and add fresh, colourful floral that instantly welcomes visitors!

Everything you need to know to get your house ready for the market or stage it – Generally speaking (Part 1)

 Preparing to sell your home and/or stage it for re-sale is a daunting task.  De-cluttering and disposing of unnecessary items requires us to dedicate time we may not have to a task we typically loath.  However, removing items prior to sale lowers the amount you need to deal with on the other end when you are finally moving into and settling down in your new home.  At Flow Home Staging we want to make preparing to sell easier and your move smoother.

As a general rule for moving, we encourage homeowners to start by removing clutter from floors as this is the first thing potential buyers will notice.  This includes finding a home for stray shoes and toys, recycling old magazines and papers, putting bags and boxes away or into storage and putting pet paraphernalia into bins, much like we would with children’s toys.  It is also wise to remove any additional unnecessary furniture such as small tables, cabinets or chairs in order to keep pathways open and doors and windows accessible.  When selling your home, less is often more and making every room look as large as possible is key!

Pay close attention to the main areas of focus in your home such as the living or family room and master bedroom.  These areas are a huge draw for potential buyers so you want to showcase them as beautifully as possible; de-cluttered, clean and clear and comfortable!  Use clean linens in the bedrooms, make sure they are well lit and beds are all made.  Also keep bathrooms and kitchens clutter free.  Counters should be clear and cupboards tidy as buyers will look to see what they are getting.  Both spaces show best with minimal items visible, if any, fresh linens in bathrooms and fresh flowers on a kitchen island or table.

Finally, prior to giving your home a deep clean, or hiring a company to do that for you, we suggest that you depersonalize your space.  Personal photos or accolades cause buyers to question who you are rather than picture themselves in this new space.  Remember that you are showcasing your home as a product, as you scrutinize the properties you are looking to buy, the same is being done to your home!

Flow is giving back in the community!

Mom to Mom

“Mom2Mom’s mission is to provide compassionate, respectful mentors for mothers in need in order to improve the lives of their children.”

As a staging and design company, we often deal with furniture that no longer works for staging or for our clients, but is still in great shape and in need of a permanent home.  When Isabelle Guay came across Mom 2 Mom, a foundation started in 2011 to help “provide a hand up for struggling families so that they can have the strength and support to move forward with their lives instead of being mired in the relentless stress of poverty,” she knew she had found a perfect fit for furniture that was more than just usable

In early March, we were finally able to see just how great this foundation is as one of our clients generously donated all of their living and dining room furniture to a family in need while they received their new pieces.  With the help of Your Local Movers, who picked up and dropped off all of the furniture free of charge (while also covering the dumping fee for damaged furniture of the chosen family), we were able to give back to a family in need to improve their circumstances and help them to lead a more comfortable life.

Being able to facilitate the donation and delivery of furniture has been a team effort.  Giving back to the community that we live in and love starts by contributing to great causes and foundations like Mom2Mom.

http://www.m2mcharity.ca/

A Yaletown Renovation

When Andrea Bernicki and her husband moved in to their Yaletown condo, they knew they wanted to renovate the space to better suit their lifestyle and who they are as a couple.  At the end of January, I had the opportunity to sit down with Andrea to hear about the experience and to see her new space for myself.  With the beautiful backdrop of False Creek, this update speaks for itself with a decidedly west coast flair.

The design process started with Maison D’Etre, a Georgie award-winning boutique style renovation company located in Vancouver.  Having experience behind them and a talented team of designers and contractors, Maison D’Etre was able to manipulate the space to provide a contemporary open concept that no longer competed with the view but complemented it.  With a set budget of close to a quarter-million dollars, this couple was ready to re-create their dream space.

As design began, Andrea felt something was missing.  While her initial design team was able to create a beautiful space plan, she turned to a different designer to complete the finishing touches.  Having seen the work of Tina Presley (designer with Flow Home Staging & Design) in the home of a friend, Andrea was confident in bringing her on board.  Without having a clear direction, Tina was able define Andrea’s vision and guide her with regard to finishes that were both on trend and had lasting appeal.

Defining the style of this newly renovated space was the first task Tina and Andrea undertook and it was clear that they needed to simplify the details of the job to avoid straying off course.  Learning about her clients and their surroundings helped Tina settle on “organic glam;” a west coast abode lending itself to a soft, warm palette of whites, contrasting darker built-ins and a rich walnut floor with loads of texture and depth.  As views span 180 degrees and the condo boasts floor to ceiling windows throughout, neither client nor designer wanted to obstruct what the city was offering in terms of breathtaking scenery.

Having settled on finishes to exploit all things good about their new space plan, Andrea (who’s husband was happy to give her free rein throughout the process) had to furnish their new condo!  With an idea of what she wanted and stores she loved, Tina helped narrow down inevitable choices, mapping out what would fit, how it would be laid out and how the space should eventually feel.  Tina leaned towards softer lines and colours as the space already had such angled walls.  With a modern look, contemporary feel and comfortably sleek furnishings, the living and dining room melded together; a work of art on a drop dead gorgeous background.

The bedroom was a different story.  Although keeping with the consistency of softer lines, this room needed to be romantic and inviting.  A chaise lounge for two, overlooking False Creek and accentuated by an elegant gold lamp from Peridot, this space easily became a retreat within a retreat.

Interior Design Trends for 2013- part 2

Continuing with trends for 2013, interior designers will be looking to incorporate a less formal look for interior spaces.  As we mentioned previously, texture, pattern and repetition should all be trending in 2013.  Keeping things light and fun, the world of design will also see a more lively take on art, furniture and general aesthetic.

Watch out for the re-emergence of brass as a choice metal.  Using brass minimally, as in accessories or frames, will add a bit of spice to your space without taking you back in time.  Try contrasting it with deep blues and warm woods for a classically elegant look.

If brass is too risky, look to yellow to be the breakout colour of the year.  Expected to have “staying power,” interior designers will not be afraid to test this colour on walls, in statement pieces of furniture or as vibrant accessories.  Especially in Vancouver, yellow will be a bright spot in our grey days!

As we mentioned earlier, design should be fun and lively.  Incorporate pieces that make you smile; group them with simple shapes or have them stand alone.  “Take materials out of context and use them in a new way. Handmade and spontaneous will bring more fun and whimsy to interiors” (http://www.laurabielecki.com/blog/interior-design/interior-design-trends-2013-2014/).

It is also expected that there will be a blending of old and new as we move forward into the new year.  A greater interest in classic furniture will see a contemporary twist added for a more modern look.  As 2013 gets under way, interior designers will be testing these new trends and changing the direction of design ever so slightly.  It looks as though this will be a fun year!