Before and After

Who doesn't like a great before and after story?   

We find ourselves watching Cinderella, the Biggest Loser or even Extreme Makeover, because we know there is huge potential and it gives us a vision for greater things.  When my clients purchased this property it was less than a happy house. But they saw a beautiful happy family home and bought it anyway!

Together, we re-imagined the house from top to bottom!  

They needed help with color and finish selections, and wanted an expert to support them as they made the house their own.               

MK Staging and Design was there to help! 

Now, a few years and quite a renovation later, they are leaving the area and this great house will soon be on the Market.  We're sad to see them leave, but COMPLETELY delighted for the new and exciting season in their lives!  This gorgeous Martin's Additions family home has been completed expanded including TWO laundry rooms, fully finished basement and my favorite of course, and amazing wine cellar.  Seriously. 
It's a chance to own a move in ready home, in a fantastic neighborhood with total walk ability and so much more.  It won't actually be listed until later this month, but I guarantee it won't be available for  long.

Wanna see pictures of the fabulous interiors?  Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MKStagingandDesign/  

      then, reach out to our friend  Erich Cabe of Compass (202) 320-6469 to schedule a tour. 

Are you planning on listing your home for sale this year?  

Let MK Staging and Design help you Sell with Style.
Call today!

301-657-9795

7 Steps to follow before the first Open House.

ISTOCK/MKStaging

Congrats! 

You're about to embark on a new adventure in life. But first, you need to sell your current house. Before you let a bunch of real-estate-hungry strangers into your closet, make sure you do these five crucial things that many sellers totally forget. 

You’ll thank me when you get that over asking price all-cash offer. (Hey, a girl can dream!)

1. Hire a Home Inspector.

Particularly if you've lived in the property for 4 years or more.  An inspector will be able to identify any hidden trouble areas that might scare off potential buyers and you'll be able to make repairs before Open Houses begin.   
There's nothing worse than a contract falling out due to the home inspection. 

2. Hire a Professional Stager.

Having a objective third party preview the house before potential buyers do is like having a dress rehearsal before the big show. This is particularly important if you plan on living in the property while it's listed because you are no longer objective about the spaces you see everyday. 
A Professional Stager will be able to identify areas that could keep your house on the market longer than it needs to be if not addressed. He or she will be able to recommend fixes to curb appeal, furniture arrangements, over personalization and bring your property close to model home perfect.  
3. Edit, Edit, Edit.
In other words, declutter, pare down, donate, organize.  I can't stress this enough. The more you can get rid of the better: off season clothes, sports and exercise equipment, kitchen appliances, holiday decorations, musical instruments you're hoping that, buts let's face it, your kids are never going to play again.  
I tell my clients to set the goal of being able to the floor (preferably in it's entirety) of every closet in the house. EVERY CLOSET. This will immediately make a house feel bigger. If you must, rent a storage unit temporarily.
4. Depersonalize.
How can potential buyers imagine themselves living in the space if they are staring into the framed faces of your adorable children, your wedding photos, college degrees, political or religious affiliations, latest family vacation, monogram painted above your bed or Bennie Baby collection anywhere within site?  See #3 if you have any other questions.
Remember that you want potential buyers to connect with the space. The faster they connect, the higher the potential for them to make an offer even if they later find things they may want to change.   
5. This includes anything pet - related.
So Jack, the turtle, Iguana, snake, hamster, rabbit, cat or even dog should be relocated offsite as much as possible. While some buyers won't mind him, others will be super grossed out by evidence of animals (and may even assume that the floors or carpeting has been damaged). Remove all pet food, toys and litter from sight, and take Jack on a little vacation for the duration.
This will also help the house stay cleaner and smell better all the time.
6. Wash the windows "I'm looking for a cave like house that gets very little light," said no one ever. ever. Make sure your windows are working for you by letting in as much natural light as possible. 
Having them professionally cleaned just before pictures and the open house will make them appear newer and higher quality, too. (Even if they secretly predate the Reagan administration.)
7. Leave 
This might seem obvious, but when it comes time for open houses and showings, GET OUT! Your realtor can do a much better job than you would showing potential buyers around.  Remember, you selected your Agent because they are the professional, and you trust them to do their job.

Worse than having family pictures on the wall, potential buyers will be immediately put off if the current inhabitants are in "Their Home".  So just go. 
It may seem like a lot of work to get your property to sell, but when your house gets multiple offers the weekend of the first open house, it will have been well worth the time and effort. 

ISTOCK/MKStaging

Are you planning on listing your home for sale this year?  

Let MK Staging and Design help you Sell with Style. 

Call today! 301-657-9795

3 Easy Steps to an Organized Closet

Buyers are nosy.

They should be. They are about to make one, if not, THE biggest purchase of their lives. So they ARE going to look EVERYWHERE; in your closets and under the sink and in all sorts of place you've been shoving stuff in, in an attempt to keep a clean looking house. STOP!

Nothing says "this house has no storage" or "I ignore maintenance issues I can't see" more than messy cabinets and overstuffed closets. 

Cat hanging out on clean linens.. EWW

Really?

Here are three steps to keep once of the easiest closets, the linen closet, tidy at all times. Hint:  this works whether you are selling or living in your property. 

1. EDIT bed and bath linens down to two sets the number of beds or people in the house: one in use and one alternate. Donate or demote all the others to pet use or cleaning rags. This is particularly important if any of them are more than 5 years old - You know you have some! If you are the average home owner you have way more towels sheet sets than you could use in a year and not wash.  This will immediately free up valuable space.
2. FOLD remaining linens uniformly so that they stack neatly and all in the same direction. Think bedding and bath store shelves. Stay tuned for a towel and sheet-folding tutorial that is so SUPER EASY you can teach the kids to do it. In fact you should!
3. STORE personal care and other essential products in matching market baskets.  I like these Threshold brand from Target.  Limit the contents of each basket to only what can fit without overflowing it. At our house we have 5 baskets: Mini me, Me, First Aid, Sick Basket and Travel Size. The insides of the baskets do not need to be organized, but each bask should only contain relevant NON-expired and personal products. Putting a label or tag on each allows for easy identification. 

I prefer hidden storage, and think straight sided containers maximizes space better than clear stacking totes. But use what works best for you. 

That's it!  Easy Peasy (did I really just say that?)

By giving just a little extra time and attention to something as seemingly insignificant as a linen closet, potential buyers have one more indication that you've probably also taken stellar care of all those really important, unseen aspects of the property. 

No need to be Martha Stewart or Mommy Dearest, to get and stay organized in all your closets and cabinets. Don't forget to check back for an an easy and not at all painful towel and sheet-folding tutorial. 

And just so you know that it will work even in the tiniest linen closet, this is mine .

taken by my iPhone

Are you planning on listing your home for sale this year?  

Let MK Staging and Design help you Sell with Style.
Call today!

301-657-9795

                

Staging Doesn't Work

REALLY?

When I was asked to preview this property in the  

Tulip Hill Neighborhood of Maryland, 

it had been on the market for 192 days... 

After recommending some small fixes, 

we staged the property in a colorful Mid-Century Style favored among buyers 

in this neighborhood with this style of architecture. 

Professional pictures were taken

10days after staging, an offer was received and accepted.

This property is under contract.

Still think Staging doesn't work?

Are you planning on listing your home for sale this year?  

Let MK Staging and Design help you Sell with Style.
Call today!

301-657-9795

Pop Quiz: What are THE MOST Important Rooms to Stage?

1. LIVING ROOM: 

It's the first chance for a potential buyer to connect with the home.

2. THE KITCHEN

 Buyers want to envision themselves preparing meals and entertaining friends 

in a warm and happy place. 

3. MASTER SUITE

It's where potential buyers will start and end their day,  

the difference between a good day and a bad one. 

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 

more than 65% of buyer's agents believe that staging increased buyers' offers by up to 15%.

Are you planning on listing your home for sale this year?  

Let MK Staging and Design help you Sell with Style.
Call today!

301-657-9795

Just Staged - Update!

Who says staging doesn't work?!

That Fabulous Mid-Century Classic in Carderock received multiple offers and is under contract above list price in just a few days!

Images by Peter Evans Photography

Just Staged!

This week we staged this fantastic Arts and Crafts Colonial in Bethesda for our friend Jeremy Litchtenstein of Remax Realty Services.

All photos via OPHI

This is just a little preview.

  Go see it this amazing space tomorrow 

Saturday, April 4th

from 2-4pm

5504 Greentree Road

Bethesda, MD 

Jeremy Litchtenstein

301-347-4121

www.jeremyhomes.com

Staging 101: Why it Matters

I love a good before and after story. One of the things I love about my job is getting to participate in the success of those stories almost everyday. We recently helped clients by staging their home so they could sell and move on to the golden years of life.

We initially met these clients in December to provide guidance and advise as they worked with an organizer to downsize. By end of February, the house has been cleared out, carpets replaced, hardwood floors refinished, wallpaper removed and walls freshly painted so we  could put our staging design plan into action.  Moving is never easy and preparing a house to show in its best light can be stressful. There is always more to be done than you initially anticipate.

The results are ALWAYS worth it!  This wonderful house received an offer 24 hrs after listing with staging.

Just Staged!

This week we staged this fabulous classic Mid-Century home in Carderock for our friend Erich Cabe of Coldwell Banker - we had so much fun!

Images by Peter Evans Photography

Listed at $819k this won't last long!  

8004 Park Overlook Drive

Bethesda MD 20817

Open Sunday 12-4

Erich Cabe- Coldwell Banker 

202-320-6469

www.ecrealtor.net

I'm Back... with a Staging Class

I must apologize for going MIA the last couple of months from the blog.

We hit the ground running January 1 with several projects and stopped only to down orange juice and Dayquil while trying to recover from all sorts of flu and the like that hit One Pretty House Interiors and the DC area this winter.

I had the privilege of teaching a Staging Basics Class  to a group of agents at the Greater Capital Area Chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors. As Hospitality Chair on the board  to this diverse group of talented business men and women, last week, I got to teach them about staging  and how it has the ability to potentially evolve their businesses from good to great.

As a professional member of RESA (the Real Estate Staging Association) and a certified instructor, I shared with them what staging really is, the latest statistics on how time and time again staged homes sell faster and for money that those homes that are not staged and some before and afters of work performed by One Pretty House Interiors.

Our own statistics certainly stand up to national numbers. In fact in 2014 One Pretty House Interiors averaged about 2 weeks on the market after staging!  But don't take my word for it, a pictures is worth a thousand words:

I am currently working with GCAAR to get the class certified for CE Credits, but in the mean time, if you are an agent and interested in having One Pretty House Interiors teach your agents about staging, we'd love to talk with you!

  

5 Tips for festive decor while selling during the Holidays.

Think it's not a good idea to decorate your house while it's listed this holiday season?

Think again!
Potential buyers want to see what the house will look like when they decorate! There is only one hard rule when when decorating your listed house:

KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Here are 5 tips on how to do that:

1. Start at the Curb- Please no blow up snowmen :)  But feel free to add a classic fresh wreath or two to the door or miniature trees in decorative urns to the front stoop

2. Less is more. Keep the decor clean and minimal so as not to distract from whats actually going on: the house is for sale.  We are going for warm, welcoming and cozy not first prize in the Santa contest!

3. Work with your existing color pallet. Use Holiday decor that enhances your existing decor instead of competing with it.  Not all decor works with classic green and and red and thats ok!

4. Go Monochromatic. Stick to one color and use it in varying textures and finishes through out the house to add sparkle and drama.

5. Use Fresh Greens. If you are just starting out, or wanting a complete change but don't want the expense of an entire new them, opt for fresh decor: Boxwood wreaths and white poinsettias are a beautiful way to decorate and there is nothing to store once the season is over.

Don't be afraid to add a festive touch to your house while it's on market this holiday season. When done with these tips in mind, holiday decor adds a happy glow that warms hearts and welcomes buyers home. which equals offers and sold properties!

Friday Faves

I am often asked what part of my business do I prefer, design or staging?  Although the approach is completely different, and I'll address that in a later post.  I think my favorite part of my business is helping clients improve their lives, whether by getting a space perfect for them, or by selling a property so a family can move on.

So it's no surprise that one of my favorite aspects of business is when I can take a property that has been sitting on the market for awhile and make it so fabulous is sells immediately.  We have a lot of success with that.  This year in particular, we had a several properties that had been on the market  60-90 days before they received an offer. Usually with in days of having been staged by One Pretty House Interiors.  Here are a couple of my favorites:

If you are considering putting your house on the market soon, call us so we can help you get ready. 

301-657-9795

Happy Weekend!