How to Benefit from Christmas Decorations

Having a home for sale over the Christmas season can be challenging for both the vendor and the agents involved. Schedules are busier, there are more social get-togethers, and other stressors such as financial demands are running high.

Many people bring out an abundance of decorations collected over years or even generations. This means boxes come out of storage and that clutter-free minimalist or elegant look that we worked so hard to achieve starts to disappear.

Not everyone celebrates Christmas but the majority of buyers expect to see some Christmas decorations in homes they are viewing.

It is also a very emotional time for some and sentimental time for most.

You can benefit from these sentiments by creating a warm glowing seasonal environment that prospective buyers will want – think Christmas card cozy…not a Hoarders TV Christmas special.

Help prospective buyers envision themselves in your vendor’s home.

Here are 4 tips of what to avoid.

1.    Too many outdoor Christmas lights

2.    Too many interior decorations

3.    Inflatable outdoor characters

4.    Too many Christmas presents

When your house is for sale less really is more.

So Deck the Halls…but in moderation

Here are 2 more pictures that I had to include :)

If you have some please send them to me - I love this stuff!

Check out the whisk in the tree and the utensils in the garland!

This midtown home has Christmas decor mixed with swans and summer planters...

Don't forget to turn the lights ON

With the shorter days here again it's time to look at lighting throughout the house. I decided to rerun the original blog from last Feb as a reminder of the different lighting Dos and Don'ts.

Last week I was at a client's house to give a consultation. They were getting ready to sell. The house was in nice shape and I could see right away the pride of ownership.
After my initial walk through I had an average size 'To Do' List for these vendors - minor repairs, a little furniture reconfiguration and some sprucing up. One thing topped the list: LIGHTING.
Several rooms were really dim.These rooms had shadows, seemed smaller and had an overall gloomy feel. The vendors had been living in these dimly lit rooms for so long they didn't notice anymore. Their furniture was stylish and accessories were contemporary but the poor lighting affected the whole ambiance of the house.
Look at your lighting from a visitor's perspective. 
Remember to make the most of natural light then add accent lighting and task lighting.
Update light fixtures and lamps.
Use maximum allowed wattage in overhead lights - especially small hallways.
If there is no overhead light in a room, use a floor lamp with maximum wattage and ideally more than one bulb.The bulbs should face downward and out - not straight up.
Leave bedside lamps on for showings and photos
Now this is extremely important....be sure to leave lights on in front walkways, verandahs, front porch, etc.
A soft lamp or light that can be seen in a front window or two gives the house a warm welcoming glow.
Proper lighting is an economical way to improve the look and feel of a home when selling.
You can make a hohum regular room seem spectacular for a relatively low investment.

Warning: Strong Opinions from this Stylist

The following are opinions about Styling to Sell and Staging practices from this stylist and may contain scenes of violence, course language, nudity and mature content.
Not really.... but they are strong opinions!

General staging practice: No personal pictures

Regroup opinion: a few personal pictures that showcase the lifestyle in the home or condo in a positive light are just fine – in fact we use them all the time. We always keep the security of a vendor’s children in mind though and attempt to never have recent close ups on display.

HGTV Not-so-reality-TV
While HGTV has educated the masses about many aspects of home décor, and preparing an ‘unsellable’ to sell it appears that these transformations not only take place easily with not much effort, but quickly and to such an extent that the home or room is barely recognizable.

Regroup opinion: HGTV shows need to add a good old dose of reality! Most homeowners are faced with difficult purging decisions, expensive repairs, costly updates, many days, sometimes weeks of mess and inconvenience  - all while the demands of real life continue. Often emotions are running high, financial matters are complicated and the changes are taking a toll on the vendors. In the chat forums of stagers and stylists, decorators and designers this is always a hot topic. HGTV is more impracticality, than reality.

More about pictures:
Here’s the controversy…
Using a fake family/people in photos.
Some stylists think it’s going overboard, it’s too much, and find it really offensive.
Regroup opinion: This stylist thinks it’s all part of the marketing process – product positioning and packaging.
Regroup has done it and will continue to do so - especially since we don't use too many personal photos anyway. But again this showcases the lifestyle of the homeowners living in a particular property (not neccesarily the current owner/your client) in a positive light.
It is acceptable to replace the vendor’s furniture, paint colour, floors, throw pillows, bedding, décor accessories, etc  - why not stylize a few pics?
I’m all for using this and any other harmless marketing tools.

Another hot topic in the forums: Setting tables.
Regroup opinion: Our opinion on this is that there are circumstances and rooms that require it and others where setting a table would be a definite no-no. This is where our experience and expertise can determine the best effect and when to set, partially set or not set a table. A good stager should know the difference.

Choose the stager that works well with your team, treats your client like their own, overcomes the challenges of each unique home and brings a strong work ethic to every project - that's what we do.
Here's a little more about us....

The buyer saw the lifestyle he wanted & BOUGHT it!

Spotlight on Worthwhile Style 

           This month - a downtown condo.

Our Advanced Lifestyle Staging techniques transformed a frumpy worn out and tired unit into an upscale downtown condo that sold fast.

Located in the vibrant Yonge/Sheppard/Finch corridor, this 1 bedroom, open kitchen plan needed a complete refresh.

The Challenge:

oversized and outdated furniture

dingy walls

damaged floors

no designated eating area

outdated appliances

lots of clutter

huge king bed in standard size condo bedroom

Regroup Solution:

First we did a consult and advised the vendor what he needed to do and gave him a check list. We also gave him paint colour suggestions so our accessories along with the perfect paint choice would really make the condo ‘pop’.

Next he attacked his ‘To-Do’ list with vigor and with help from his agent and Regroup, checked off item by item.

Lastly, we came in with the carefully selected furniture rentals and our contemporary accessories and linens. We added several extra touches to speak to the most likely buyers and really entice them – show them the lifestyle they envision in a trendy condo can be theirs.

Voila! The transformation was complete.

 Was it worthwhile?....You betcha!

The buyer saw the lifestyle he wanted & BOUGHT it!

What got the most ‘WOWS’?

Bistro table and setting

Cityscape canvas

Black leather set

White leather coffee table

Bedding/linens

Dark walnut high end laminate flooring

Have a look at the pictures for yourself and see if you think its Worthwhile Style.

Back To School? Home For Sale? Here are 5 Back to School Tips to Help Keep it 'show-ready':

Selling a home can be a stressful time; combine this with the new schedules, the school bags, lunch bags, gym shoes, text books, pencil cases and paperwork, and early September can become as hectic as the Christmas rush. 

Here are 5 Tips to keep a home 'show-ready'.

#1 If kids usually use the front door – now is the time for them to use the side or back door. Keep the WOW factor at the front door; keep shoes & school bags at the other one.

#2 Have a dedicated spot for books and school bags, and homework, that looks neat and organized, and somewhat clutter free. Baskets and foldable coloured storage bins work perfectly.

#3 Don’t let kids' summer paraphernalia and back to school equipment overlap  - put some items that belong to the lazy hazy days away early. Pack them up, ready to move or put them in storage.

#4 The first weeks of school mean dizzying amounts of paperwork such as permission slips. Get these signed, back in the school bag and returned to school immediately. Don’t let them pile up.

#5 Student moving out to university?

This means a considerable amount of ‘stuff’ will be moving out too – clothes, toiletries, and clutter…all good to go. But if you have removed beds, bookcases, chairs, carpets, dressers, and accessories look at the room with new eyes and see what needs to be replaced to show the room at its best.

The "Almost Theres"

As a service provider who works with several different realtors I know most of you have clients who are almost there. But for some reason the house is not selling. The house is clean, decluttered and the vendors have put lots of time and effort into curb appeal. So why not? Is something missing?  Is there too much of something?

Is your vendor not listening to you?

There are many reasons that the untrained eye cannot see or recognize. Staging is more than fluffing cushions, making a bed with Gluckstein sheets, folding towels to Martha’s specifications and displaying new items from Homesense.

Certified Stagers learn specific design elements used in styling specifically for home selling. We practice several principals to highlight the positive features of a home and we know how to appeal to the broadest base of potential buyers.

It is always surprising to vendors what buyers focus on, what they don’t see and what they remember about a property when house hunting.

What’s more, at Regroup we practice Advanced Staging or Lifestyle Staging, which is highly customized to the most likely buyers’ lifestyle preferences.

If you are having challenges with an "almost there" call us and we’ll be happy to help.

Apple pie & cinnamon …pour me a Harvey Wallbanger!

Yes, the overwhelming smell of apple pie and cinnamon during open houses and showings is a strategy that went out long ago (about the same time as the Harvey Wallbanger !).

Today’s  buyer is knowledgeable and at times cynical. The prospective buyer does not want to smell Fido, cooking, (especially ethnic), sports socks and gym bags, candles, potpourri, air fresheners or scented sprays. They certainly don’t want to smell cigarettes or dampness.

The only acceptable smell is ‘clean’.

Odours are the number 1 reason for immediate ‘ewww’ when prospects walk through the door. Today’s noses are sensitive and for many people, allergies can easily flare up with one wiff of an artificial scent. Buyers fear mold and mildew and get suspicious when a basement smells like a vanilla factory. These overpermeating scents make them wonder ”what is the vendor trying to hide?”

Eradicate odours  - a house that smells, won’t sell.

Lemony fresh is the key; cleansers with citrus and lemon Pledge are the best products to use.

In spaces like storage areas, laundry areas or rooms with gym clothes and sport bags the $5.00 odour absorbers from Canadian Tire work miracles and have almost no smell of their own.

Keep in mind, home owners may not be able to smell their own pets, cigarettes, spices/food or perfumes and may need a gentle reminder.

If the house smells like the cleaner just left…it smells perfect!

Staging Tip: It’s spring! – do home sellers know?

Prospective buyers do.

In Canada, spring makes most us feel light of heart with the anticipation of new beginnings and long awaited warm days and nights.

Homes should also reflect this.

Follow these tips to bring spring right into a home!

Remove signs of winter – boots, mats, shovels, mitts, all evidence of yukky weather, should all be packed away ready to move or in off site storage. Check walls in mud rooms and entries for scuff marks from boots.

Feature Fresh Flowers –  one of the most economical accessories that anyone can use. Spring flowers give instant lightness, a pop of colour and an added special touch to any room. Use reflective vases and remember to keep the flowers fresh for all viewings and open houses.

Check carpets and floors – they may need a cleaning, especially if the home has been on the market over winter or through inclement weather.

Open windows and get rid of the musty stale air. Dust off blinds and shades and sills. Wherever possible open blinds and window coverings. Welcome spring and sunshine right into a home.

Washrooms -  Be sure to use white fluffy towels and shower curtains in your washrooms. If you have hand soaps out, replace heavy wintery pine/cinnamon/etc scents with light scented hand soaps/liquid soaps or gift sets such as orchid, lavender or spring blossoms.

Closets – the perfect opportunity to showcase your organizational skills! Put clothes into colour groupings using crisp contemporary colors and whites. Dark heavy suits, sweaters, other wintery items should be packed away. Even clothes closets should have a light feel – they’ll seem more spacious.

Change bedding and pillows – dark heavy wintery bed coverings are for hibernating. Fresh pastels and crisp linens are what northern winter-weary buyers want to see this time of year.

Outdoors and Curb Appeal – Spring can be messy with rain and in many areas we wait until late May to plant gardens. Use patio pots and window boxes for curb appeal in late April and early May. Don’t be stingy – these should look spectacular not half- a@#%d. Put them on back decks and patios too. Take advantage of any nice weather days to start early spring prep and clean up of gardens and flower beds and in the GTA…TRY TO GET A HANDLE ON THE DANDELIONS! That alone will make your house stand out from many.

And by the way….by now there should be no evidence of Christmas -  wreaths, hand soaps, decorations, or those last sad poinsettias desperately hanging on with 3 wilting leaves.

Embrace the spring and enjoy!

The 'Less Stress...More Kindness' Experience

Over the past year, in both my professional and personal world I’ve been faced with several scenarios involving seniors. It’s really amazing how different people and companies react to the unique needs of this demographic. For example, some people are patient and really understand that many seniors aren’t tech savvy, some may need you to speak slower and eliminate today’s buzz words, while some are always connected, use an ipad and have in-depth business acumen.

After experiencing a few incidents of unethical and unkind behavior towards the seniors in my life, and being told others’ stories of vulture- like treatment I wanted to be sure and take special consideration of this group when they come to us needing property consults, home styling and moving logistics arranged. 

That’s why we created the ‘Less Stress…More Kindness' experience at Regroup. I tend to be extremely service driven as it is (training at the Royal York back in the day will do that to a person!) but with this group I really go the extra mile.

We try to determine what else is going on in their life: is this move an unwanted or unexpected change? Are they physically challenged, medically ill, hard of hearing or seeing, grieving, far from family, suffering early Alzheimers or dementia, in denial of a situation or …. a combination of all of these things? Then we act accordingly. Our team never talks down to the seniors we work with or over their heads. We keep communications, discussions and activities at their comfort level and involve family members whenever possible.

Just think, some of these seniors haven’t moved in 30+ years.

For many, dealing with an unfamiliar industry such as Real Estate can be intimidating.

What a shock – they don’t know how much easier it is in general these days but they also may not know where to start with this daunting undertaking to transition to a new chapter of their life. And it may not even be their choice to sell and move.
I like the idea of possibly being able to take away some stress and make a difficult experience a little easier or an anticipated event a little worry-free.

We've all heard stories of overcharging, padding an invoice, and even selling an unnecessary service to seniors. I could go on with examples of people being borderline criminal to simply taking a little "harmless" advantage of a senior in a vulnerable situation.

We are all going to be a Senior  - it’s better than the alternative - so lets keep in mind what goes around, comes around and pay the ‘Less Stress…More Kindness” experience forward.

Dial "M" for MOLD!
As a home stylist when I help a client prepare to sell their home I am at times, faced with what I call ‘under the hood’ issues. Things that have nothing to do with design, décor and esthetics. These include plumbing, hard water, odd electrical setups, unique and inventive construction and MOLD.

Mold in our homes is an issue that has come to light in recent years as a potentially very dangerous substance. My job as a stager is to focus on the positive attributes of a client’s home and play down the negative, but that doesn’t mean hiding or covering up something as serious as a mold problem.

Most of us know that mold can lead to heath problems and damage to our homes but what some don’t know is that there can be serious home insurance issues. And we all know insurance issues can often mean mortgage issues.

There has to be moisture for mold to grow: it cannot grow in dry places.

Not all molds are harmful to all people but the elderly and those with respiratory problems and allergies are at risk.

How to determine if its mold?

According to CMHC, “Dab a drop of household bleach onto a suspected spot. If the stain loses its colour or disappears, it may be mold. If there is no change, it probably isn't mold.”

Find out what stimulates its growth, learn about special mold testing kits as well as specialists who can help remove it.

Read more on this CMHC site:

Fighting Mold — The Homeowners' Guide

Last week I was at a client's house to give a consultation. They were getting ready to sell. The house was in nice shape and I could see right away the pride of ownership.
After my initial walk through I had an average size 'To Do' List for these vendors - minor repairs and some sprucing up. One thing topped the list: LIGHTING.
Several rooms were really dim.They had shadows, seemed smaller and had an overall gloomy feel. The vendors had been living in these dimly lit rooms for so long they didn't notice anymore. Their furniture was stylish and accessories were contemporary but the poor lighting affected the whole ambiance of the house.
Look at your lighting from a visitor's perspective. Remember to make the most of natural light then add accent lighting and task lighting.Update light fixtures and lamps.
Proper lighting is an economical way to improve the look and feel of your home when getting ready to sell.You can make a hohum regular room seem spectacular for a relatively low investment.