Prepping Before & After's - How to Sell Your Home for the Most Money

There are many moving parts in a real estate transaction - Prepping a property, marketing the property, securing a contract, and contract to close - Each of these steps are extremely important and  like stair steps, they build on one another -if each step is not handled correctly, it makes getting to the next one a bit of a leap. 

Prepping a property is the foundation for maximizing profits. We all have our own personal taste and decor needs but it is important to take the "personal" out of a property when selling. Please speak to your Realtor before making any modifications! Realtors have their finger on the pulse of what buyers in your area are looking for and can help you make choices that will have the highest return on investment.

Before and After Property Prep

1. PAINT

It seems so simple, but new paint is the number one way to increase your home's value. It is also one of the cheapest changes you can make. The above living room is in a house that has 8 foot ceilings. Dark colors, in a room with ceilings lower than 9 feet, visually reduces the ceiling height. Painting the ceiling a very pale blue paired with white or cream walls, visually raises the ceiling height.

Paint improves more than just interiors - Don't forget the street appeal! Exteriors are a great place for those dark colors!

2. DE-CLUTTER

Let's face it, life happens and most of us do not live in a magazine spread. However, since HGTV, Houzz and Pinterest entered our lives, buyers expect properties that look like they came out of Elle Decor. 

3. REMOVE OUTDATED WALLPAPER

While wallpaper has made comeback, it still remains very personal. So if it looks like you maxed out your credit card at Laura Ashley, you should probably make a change. 

Wallpaper in living areas is much less "buyer friendly" than putting it in a powder room or foyer. Painted walls in living areas sell best!

$. EDIT - Some things just don't belong

The bookshelves in the 'before' picture were not easily accessible and not balanced, since they appeared to hang in mid-air. The room took on a grand appearance once they were removed.

The mantle in the 'before' shot seem to overtake the small room. We removed it, and created a shiplap accent wall. This simple change made the space appear larger. Editing is often necessary when prepping a home for sale.

4. STAGE

  

Some people feel that staging is disingenuous, since you are buying a house not it's contents -so what should the contents matter. But that is a lot like going on a blind date wearing your pajamas. 

Remember, this is not personal! It is a business transaction. Properly prepping your home makes it sell faster and for more $$$$. 

Stress Busting Decorating Tips

Ok, I know what you are thinking, my decor relates to my mental health? Huh!?!

But it's not as far fetched as you might think.  Multiple studies have found the environment you live/work in directly relates to how you feel. Face it, most of us hate to walk into our house when it is dirty, chaotic or dysfunctional. It raises our stress level and sometimes even creates depression. While cleaning up solves some of the problem, there are other simple steps you can take 

to create a more zen abode.

1. Make sure each room has a focal point.

A focal point insures that a room feels comfortable and relaxing. Not sure if your room has a focal point? Here are a few questions, to help you figure it out.

• Is the furniture lined up along the walls?  If so, it is unlikely there is a focal point. It is hard to have something serve as the anchor for the room if the furniture is not grouped around it. That means some of the furniture needs to be "floating" in the room, without its back against a wall. 

• Is the furniture facing a major design feature? - a fireplace, large windows, TV, Armoire, sofa? First, and foremost the furniture should always be facing a focal point, such as a fireplace. Note the picture above is a definite "DON'T".  If you do not have a clear anchor in the room make one: use a large piece of furniture, TV, or art. If the room cannot be oriented this way, ensure that the sofa takes center stage and use it as the focal point.

• Are there clear pathways? - While you don't want your furniture lined up against the wall, you also want to make sure you have not created an obstacle course. Make clear and logical pathways into your seating areas and through your rooms. Do not block the entry to a seating area with a piece of furniture.

2. Functional equals beautiful 

Funny how a functional room is usually the most inviting.  Include the following tips for a more functional and beautiful space.

• Lighting - Make sure there is adequate lighting next to seating. Meaning a lamp on either side of the sofa and next to chairs. A seating area should have adequate light, no dark corners, when the overhead lights are off. Any work zones like a kitchen or bathroom should have strong overhead and task lighting, such as sconces.

• Proper table placement - A place to set a drink next to each seat. For a sofa this is usually a coffee table, for a chair(s) this is often a side table

• No stray wires - Tidy up wires hanging behind tables or on floors. All those wire create visual clutter, which creates anxiety.

• Clear away the "other" clutter - "Have nothing in your house you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" William Morris. That means your mother-in-law's ugly vase goes (at least to the garage)

3. Add plants 

Not as much work as a pet but also proven to make you feel better. If you aren't sure what to buy, head to your local garden center and ask for a couple of 'easy care' plants to start. You may want to check out this article about the value of plants on mental health.

4. Make it personal 

Mass produced items are remarkably soulless. A room straight out of West Elm probably looks great but, is unlikely to nurture your soul. Display collections, children's art, family photos... Just don't go overboard, since clutter generally creates anxiety but make your space YOURS! 

5. Accents from nature 

Just as plants are good for your health, so are other natural trinkets. From birds nests to branches, rocks to turtle shells, simple items found in nature are known to create a sense of calm. When you tire of these items, simply return them to the outdoors.

These suggestions don't cost a lot of money or take a lot of time to do. But little changes can have a huge impact. It is an overwhelming and stressful world we live in. Reducing stress and anxiety where we can, makes all the difference.

Auto-Immune Paleo Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Simple, Easy, and Quick - PROMISE!

More and more people with auto-immune diseases are discovering that a change in diet is the best way to become symptom free. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis three years ago and diet definitely effects my symptoms. In February I will be embarking on the scientifically proven, Auto-Immune Paleo diet. I have been doing a lot of research and saving recipes like a mad woman. While the diet is restrictive, I realized several of my favorite recipes already fit within the protocol. Today, I am sharing our families favorite chicken soup recipe. It is a rich, aromatic Asian style chicken soup and my goto when anyone at our house is sick. It turns out it is also Auto-Immune Paleo friendly!

Ingredients:

1 large organic onion, chopped

3 - 4 inch piece ginger, diced (just depends on how much you like ginger)

16 oz shiitake mushroom caps or Straw mushrooms, sliced8 oz button mushrooms, sliced  

1 lb. chicken thighs (or breasts if you prefer white meat), cut into bite size chunks

1 tablespoon coconut aminos (optional)

1 quart organic chicken stock (homemade insures it is Paleo Auto-immune friendly)

2 cans organic coconut milk

2 limes juiced

3 tsp salt (may require more if your stock is not salty)

2 Tbsp olive oil 
Chopped Cilantro for garnish

      Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add onion and ginger, and mushrooms cook for 3 minutes. 

Add the chicken, and coconut aminos. Saute for approximately 5 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, coconut milk, lime juice and salt. Bring to a boil, turn to low and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy!

Top Ten Dark Colors - 2018

Continuing with the theme from last week's post, all about the positive aspects of dark walls, here are my top 10 Dark Color recommendations. Please note, these are all Benjamin Moore Colors. I highly recommend having dark colors mixed in the Aura paint line, which is self priming.

CHARCOALS

Deep Space, 2125-20

This is a wonderful charcoal with a blue undertone.

Baby Seal, 2119-30

A balanced charcoal, this is darker than Deep Space and reads slightly warmer.

DARK GRAYS

Chelsea Gray, HC-168

With a hint of green in the undertone, this gray is perfect with wood and gold tones.

Kendall Charcoal, HC-166

Kendall Charcoal is a warm gray, darker than Chelsea Gray. The richness of the color makes it perfect for a bedroom or kitchen cabinets.

BLUES

Brush Blue, CW-675

You will need to trust me on this one, there are not any room pictures I can share. But this color is a wonderful deep navy with gray undertones. So, it avoids looking too bright or purple. A great choice for cabinets, or walls

Newberg Green, HC-158

I know, the name says green but it is really more of a blue, with a green undertone. It is a rich, complex color that looks fabulous with wood tones.

TEALS

Agean Teal, 2136-40

We used this color last fall in a bedroom, paired with White Dove trim. The room ended up feeling both restful and happy.

Bella Blue, 720

I struggle with whether this color belongs in the blue or teal section, because honestly it looks very different depending on lighting. In rooms with lots of natural light it is much more teal (you can really see the green undertones). However, in darker rooms it reads blue.

GREENS

Dark Harbor, CSP-720

With it's blue undertone, this green looks incredible in a semi-gloss finish. 

Absolute Green, 2043-10

Rich and "emerald like", Absolute Green has enough gray undertones to keep it from looking harsh. It is a very grown up green.