7 Steps to Depersonalise Your Home Before Selling

7 Steps to Depersonalise Your Home Before Selling

by | Jan 27, 2019 | Every day help tools, Our Projects

7 Steps to Depersonalise Your Home Before Selling
Image by Paula Schmidt
Depersonalising your home before selling is an important step in preparing your house for sale. All personal and memorabilia items are to be packed or stored away. Potential buyers will now be able to visualize themselves and their personal effects living in your house and so be encouraged to make an offer. This will also give the property stylist a “canvas” to work with, preparing your home for those important online listing photos and a sale.

Tip #1 – Prepare yourself emotionally

Image from Geralt: Pixabay.com

Letting go of your home is not easy. Putting away your photos and memorabilia can be an emotional experience. To help you through this remember the goal – you want to show your home well and prepare it to appeal to the home buyers’ market. You want to sell fast and get the best offer.

Tip # 2 Ask for help.
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
Go through room by room. Ask yourself this question – “would other people want this in their home?” Ask for advice and help. Your Real Estate Agent, friend and Property Stylist will be able to give objective input.

Tip #3 Remove personal photos and family portraits.
Photo by Lasse Møller on Unsplash
Take down all family photos, portraits and pictures hanging on the walls. This includes those on countertops, shelves and cupboards doors. Oh and do remember the refrigerator too. A favourite spot for all those travel magnets, children’s art and reminder notes. Remove all reminder or to do list boards.

Tip #4 Start packing
Image freepik.com
Go through each room thoroughly. Decide what you really want to take with you to your new home. Depersonalising is an opportunity to declutter. Unwanted items can be donated or discarded. Pack away ornaments, showcase items, trophies and framed certificates. Label the boxes according to rooms and contents. You will glad you did. It will help you when unpacking at your new home.

Tip #5 Declutter shelves.
Image freepik.com
Shelves become focal points. Use them stylishly to attract interest. Not as a storage facility. All shelves are to be cleared, dusted and wiped clean. Thereafter choose only a few decorative items to create an appealing organised display. Add a few room appropriate books. i.e children books belong in the children’s bedroom. Recipe books in the kitchen. Ensure book covers are not damaged. Remove covers from the hardcover books, or cover them with white paper to add interesting appeal. Pack away all family portraits, trophies, certificates and other items.

Tip #6 Toys, sporting and exercise equipment
Image MIH83 Pixabay
Store away as many of these items as possible. The garage or off-site storage container. Toys should not be lying around. Put them in a toy box. Ensure the lid shuts and does not remain partly ajar because of an overload of toys. Go through each room analytically. Are the items in the room, room-specific?

Tip # 7 Remove items that may offend

Image: paulbr75: pixabay.com
You need your house to attract and interest as many buyers as possible. Remember, potential buyers can range from a variety of ages, backgrounds, cultures, races and religions. Try to remove any items that may offend parents of young children, or certain cultures or religious groups. If you are unsure about a certain item, rather remove it…..

5 Steps Making Your House Sell In 2019

by | Jan 22, 2019 | Every day help tools, Our Projects

Image by freeimages.com

 

Thinking of selling your house in 2019?

House prices are declining and homes take longer to sell. This is the predicament homeowners will be facing in 2019. Prediction has it that it may even spill over into 2020.

The question now is: “how to make your house sell in 2019?”

 

1. Compare and Price Realistically

Image – House for Sale

How to do your own “comparing”.

  • Search online (Google) for properties in the market in your area.
  • Doing your own comparing will give you an idea of the possible sale price you can expect for your home and how long it may remain on the market before being sold.
  • Compare your property with at least three other properties up for sale or sold in your area. These properties are to have the same attributes as your home i.e. having the same number of bedrooms, bathrooms and square meters. Ideally compared property sizes should not vary more or less than +- 10%.

2. Be Proactive and Have Your Home Inspected.

Image

  • Sometimes real estate agents may advise against this. The reason being the buyers will get this done anyway.
  • However, investing in the costs of a basic inspection before even contacting a real estate agent means you are able to get things fixed beforehand. The advantage of this is:

– By the time your house is ready to go onto the market, all repairs and preparation are done.
– Your house is sale ready.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Upgrades

Image

• Before going down this avenue consult a good real estate agent or property stylist. They know what potential buyers expect from property in your area.
• Without breaking the bank a few upgrades that can be done.

– A good clean. This would include windows, the gardens, floor, carpets and chrome taps etc.
– Replace grouting where necessary.
– A new coat of paint will give that “new house” appeal.
– Should you decide to repaint, use neutral colours.

• Updating the kitchen and bathrooms yield the highest return on investment. Old cabinetry can be made to look appealing by simply replacing the doors and handles.

 4. Contact a Property Styling Company

Let’s Revamp Property Styling

  • The Property Stylist is recognised as a critical component of the sales team.
  • The Stylist adds the inspirational appealing WOW factor to your home, using a mix of furniture, artwork and accessories to maximise appeal and space.
  • The Property Stylist can be consulted right from the start even before you start preparing your home for sale, for advice and input.
  • A component of property styling would include depersonalizing your property i.e. removing all your personal paraphernalia. This will make it easy for potential buyers to visualize themselves and their personality in your house.

5. Contact a Real Estate Agent

• Find an estate agent that knows the market.
– They can help you price your home competitively for the area you are in.
• Find a reputable agent – word of mouth is often the best recommendation.
• A busy agent may not necessarily mean a good agent.
– Find out how much time they can devote to your property.
• Ask the estate agent about their listings.
– Has the agent sold properties – how many?
– How long were the properties on the market?
– Has the agent got listings but few sales?
• Google search, Compare Agents
• Good real estate agents will recommend professionally styling your property to make it presentable for sale.
• A real estate agent will also ensure that professional photos of your property be taken and posted online.

Buying a New House? Great Idea. Selling Your Home? Brave Decision

Buying a New House? Great Idea. Selling Your Home? Brave Decision

by | Dec 18, 2018 | Every day help tools, Our Projects

Buying a New House? Great Idea. Selling Your Home? Brave Decision

Photo by Sarah Trummer from Pexels

 

Deciding to sell your home can be an emotional venture.

Like so many before you, the house you once bought, became a home filled with living memories. Pictures and portraits grace the walls. Lesions and scars, over time tactfully camouflaged by the odd rug or two or even three. Reminiscing clad the walls. What once was an empty space, is now filled with so much more – And that’s just it!

There is the emotional and personal attachment. The house became YOUR HOME. Your living space personified.  Prepared or not. Ready or not. The decision has been made. The Property for Sale sign now lighthouse your home. Your home will become a house once more.

Property Styling and the Property Stylist

 Property Styling is to the Stylist, what creative medium is to the artist. The artist uses oil paints, water colour paints and an assortment of brushes. The artist creates, conveys thought, feeling and invites the visual into the aura of the presentation. So too does the Property Stylist. As an artist, using household medium, the Stylist creates a visual representation of possibilities, enabling the potential buyer to see themself and their acquired furnishings, living there.

  • A tool that will save you time and is so easy to use:

The Styling Estimate Calculator can be used from the comfort of your home, during your “five minute” coffee break at the office, or even whilst commuting on public transport, and it is so easy to use.

  • Your FREE Property Styling Quote:

You now have immediate access to your free property styling quote.

The Styling Estimate Calculator will enable you to make adjustments as you see fit, to accommodate variables in styling costs.

Once completed, further collaboration will take place between you, and the property stylist who will transform your property’s interior into an amazing space, presenting your house for sale in a most appealing way.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-architecture-candlesticks-chairs-238385/
Have You Ever Wondered What The Big Hoo-Ha Of Property Styling Is All About? What Exactly Does Property Styling Mean? What Does It Entail And Why a Property Stylist Is Recommended?

Bob and Brenda decided to move into a retirement village. Their three bedroom property had been in the market for a couple of months.  The property is modern, pristine and located in a popular area of a beautiful seaside town. In fact all the right boxes were ticked. Yet, though the Estate Agent had held open house and some people attended, the SOLD had not happened.

They then had an appointment with our Property Stylist. I will let them tell you their story.

To quote Bod…”We were amazed at the difference and the attitude when people came in and see the place.”
Their property was SOLD soon after.
So What Is The Big Hoo-ha Of Property Styling All About?
Photo by Sarah Pflug from Burst

 

Distantiating yourself. As hard as is it may sound – remember it is a house/property you are selling; not your home or your lifestyle.

The Property Stylist is not connected emotionally to your acquired furnishings and belongings. She is there to assist you in getting your property set up for sale.

Admittedly, visual presentation does have a voice, and so too do pictures and photos. A well styled home help potential buyers visualise living there, and enable them to “see” where their own furniture can go. Photos of furnished areas simply do look so much better on the internet, advertisements and brochures too and entice more interested potential buyers.

Property Styling is holistic. It is not confined only to the interior of the property but to the outside area too. This is most important to note. Your Property Stylist will endorse this. A potential buyer has no desire to complete an obstacle course before going into your house.

For more detail concerning curb appeal please see our blog – Five ways to instantly boost your curb appeal! https://letsrevamp.com.au/5-ways-to-instantly-boost-your-curb-appeal

Having your property styled is not a luxury, but a necessity.

  • You can do it all yourself.
  • You can enlist the expertise and advice of a stylist, and then contemplate doing it all yourself based on the recommendations of the stylist.
  • Your property can be styled professionally by the stylist:
    • Using your furniture and that of the styling company (Partial Property Styling)
    • Using furniture and accessories provided by the styling company (Full Property Styling)

We have often heard the comment – “I never knew my place could look this nice.” As home owner, we become complacent in our surrounds. Your property stylist has a natural skill and eye and know how to style according to the trends, demographic, and “feel” of the property, making it appealing to potential buyers.

 

We have actually had clients, requesting our interior design expertise after a property styling.

What Does Property Styling Entail

Preparation! The question that should be asked: “What returns do you the current owner of the property expect and what results do you want to achieve?” What are you prepared to invest in obtaining the result? Time? Money?

There could be financial outlay in the preparation for the final presentation. For example, the bedroom window that has had a crack in it now for months would need to be repaired. The front door may need sanding and a new coat of varnish or paint. Guttering may need a new coat of paint. Overgrown hedges need a trim.

Cleaning and tidy up would paramount. Scattered belongings would need to be cleared or packed away. Family photos do you proud, but the potential buyer has no connection with them at all, so these need to be put away.

Declutter; less is best!

 

Are you overwhelmed?  Sure, understandably so. That brings me to my next point –

Image

Why a Property Stylist Is Recommended?

Yes, you can decide to style your property yourself. You have done all the time consuming necessary research, all the repairs and maybe paint jobs. Decluttered, cleaned and re-arranged. You have taken photos, and the property is being advertised. But, are you sure that despite all your own effort, enough was done to appeal to the buyers’ market?

…and this is the reason why the experience, expertise and service of a property stylist should be preferred. As mentioned before, there are options available for the owner to choose from to professionally style the property. Included in the portfolio would be a wealth of information, loads of advice and support.

The Property Stylist knows how competitive the housing market is. She knows the recipe, the required ingredients and the quantities, measured and mixed together to present a property to achieve a successful sale in the shortest time possible.

Real Estate Agents agree that styling your property will help increase a higher sales price and a quicker sale.

FOLLOW US

And The Colour For 2019 Is …

And The Colour For 2019 Is …

by | Dec 13, 2018 | Every day help tools, Our Projects

ANNOUCEMENT:

AND THE AWARD FOR COLOUR OF YEAR 2019 GOES TO (Open the envelope) …….

“LIVING CORAL” (Enthusiastic applause)

SO WHY WAS “LIVING CORAL” CHOSEN 

The colour is said to be comforting, positive, reassuring, life sustaining, and energising.

 In nature coral reefs provide shelter and is a source of nourishment to the living organism and fish who call it home, and ultimately the environment.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/apartment-architecture-balcony-building-276539

SO, WHO DECIDES THE COLOUR OF THE YEAR?

Pantone decides.

There is so much more involved than someone, somewhere, sitting down and randomly picking a colour of the year.

Behind closed doors secret meetings are held annually and experts from all over the world gather together to analyse, evaluate events, trends, technology, socio-economics, environmental affairs and generally the current times we are living in. Then a colour is chosen to embrace and signify all the factors of the good and the bad.

BRINGING “LIVING CORAL” INTO YOUR HOME 

Colours that complement “Living Coral” – You actually may have items currently in your home that would pair beautifully with coral.

  • Coral and grey
  • Coral and green (think nature)
  • Coral and blue (again think nature)
  • Coral and powder pink
  • Coral and brown
  • Coral and white.
Colour combinations to avoid:     Yellow

Adding the newcomer to your home

 Initially add “Living Coral” in small volumes.

Think accessories. Add display cushions, accents, artwork, sofas, throws, a feature wall, not only in the common living space, but extend it to the bathroom, bedroom and even study and kitchen.

Remember the golden rule – sometimes less is best.

Because Living Coral is such a powerful colour, add it to areas or features you want to accentuate.

Use it in areas where there is not much natural light; could be the bathroom. You can replace the old roller blind with one in Living Coral colour. Again do not overdo it.

Replace dining room chairs with those upholstered in Living Coral.

  • THE COLOUR “LIVING CORAL” 

    Not a colour you can easily describe. It is more of a feeling colour. A natural colour that invites feelings of happy, comfort, security of sorts, warmth and socialising. The feeling you want your living space to be like.

    It is not quite orange, more a sort of a golden orange, gold fish-terracotta like, peachy orange or even salmon. Into the mix rose, pink, yellow, red, orange and white.

    It is functional, nurturing, vibrant and inviting. Soft on the eyes, yet outstandingly distinguishable from its surrounds. Connects with nature too. It is an all season colour too, because of its tropical-ness.

Shades of “Living Coral”

“Living Coral” also presents itself in complementary, monochromatic, tones, tints and shade colours. It can “tone down” to almost peach-powder pink.

 

Summary – New Look for 2019 

“Living Coral” a beautiful warm embracing colour. 2019 is just around the corner. Perhaps you have been contemplating to bring in some new colour into your home. Wanting some change. Now is a good time as any. New Year and an awesome new colour. You love this colour, but not sure how to exactly go about it, you are welcome to contact our interior decorating specialist for more information.

Some Call It A Sofa. Some Call It A Couch. Which Is It? – A Sofa Or A Couch?

Some Call It A Sofa. Some Call It A Couch. Which Is It? – A Sofa Or A Couch?

by | Dec 7, 2018 | Every day help tools, Our Projects, Uncategorized

What’s The Difference? Is There A Difference? Apparently, Yes!

 

 

https://pixabay.com/en/couch-sofa-furniture-447484/

Though the two are actually very similar in appearance and characteristics and often referred to interchangeably, differences do exist. They are not synonymous.

ORIGIN

There is no similarity whatsoever in the origin of these two pieces of household furniture. A bench covered with blankets and cushions originated from the Arabic “suffah” – hence sofa. Sofa is a place to sit down more so than to lie-down on.

From the French comes “couche”, a popular piece of furniture used in the Victorian era and when translated means to lie down.

 

Photo by Sarah Pflug from Burst

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

STRUCTURE, SHAPE AND SIZE

The other notable difference between a sofa and a couch is in the size.

Sofas provide seating space for four or more and therefore occupy more floor space. Something to consider when you purchase a sofa for your lounge/living room or living space.

Sofas are generally larger and plush and usually have two armrests and a full uniform back, whereas a couch usually has one armrest, or none (not so much these days though) – and tapered back. Having one or no armrest lends itself to spaciousness so it can be used to lie down on. Couches can comfortably seat two or three people, though seating can be little more compact than that of the sofa.

FUNCTIONALITY

 In terms of functionality, the difference between a sofa and a couch is also notable.

Couches are generally more functional and used in casual and informal settings. For example shared family space, cozy living space, living room or entertainment room. It would be the go to place to sit, lie down or simply relax after a busy day.

 

  • Sofas on the other hand are more formal, and resonate elegance and classiness. Probably more suited to formal lounge areas and space, and bearing in mind they tend to take up more space than a couch.

ACCESSORISE

Most definitely you will need to accessorise your sofa and/or couch since they are housed within your living space and form part of the bigger presentation.

How and what you accessorise with it purely up to you and the statement you wish to make – i.e. whether formal lounge or living room. If you are unsure, contact a decorating stylist/interior decorator.

Use display cushions that are appealing to the area. With the couch add a throw for those cooler nights. A throw can also be added to the sofa.

Complement the area with a pouf or ottoman  too.

What to Expect When Hiring a Designer

What to Expect When Hiring a Designer

by | Nov 29, 2018 | Every day help tools, Our Projects

Hiring a Designer might be a whole new, foreign world to you – and even though designers often have their own individual processes, here are a few steps on how we do things at Let’s Revamp so you know what to expect when hiring one of our designers.

Step 1: Questionnaire

After initial contact and a quick phone call discussing your requirements for your home, we will send through a general Questionnaire for you to fill out. This helps us to get a better idea of your personal style and requirements so that we can have some ideas together for before your initial consultation.

Step 2: Organise a Consultation

We will then organise a suitable date and time for an on-site Consultation at the property you are requiring to have styled. During the consult we will have a walk-through of the spaces and sit down to discuss some options and ultimately get to know you better so we can deliver the best final result that fits your personal taste/style appropriately.

Step 3: Measure and photos

At the consultation we also like to do a quick measure of the spaces and take some photos for us to refer back to during the design process. This helps us to find the most appropriate pieces for your space whilst considering the size and spatial elements of each area.

         

Step 4: Post-consult follow-up

We will then follow up with an email consisting of a breakdown of the information we’ve gathered from the Consult. This gives you a chance to clarify anything and make sure that we are on the same page with the project.

         

Step 5: Ongoing correspondence via email/phone

Once we have given you confirmation that we have a clear understanding of your needs, we will start gathering some ideas together for you and send them through for your feedback so we can make adjustments accordingly. This stage can be as collaborative as you wish depending on the time you have available for responding and also your desired input in the design process.

         

Step 6: Finalisation & installation

Once the final design has been decided on, we will order the items for you and, if required, we can also help with the installation once it all arrives and set everything up for you.      

If you’re interested in hiring a designer for your home please contact us at info@letsrevamp.com.au or give us a call on (02) 9659 2556.