Category Archives: Vacant Home Staging

Is Selling a ‘Blank Canvas’ a Good Idea?

A blank canvas is different from a neutral canvas. A blank canvas means a home is vacant when it is put on the market. Some sellers believe this is a good thing as a buyer can visualize the home the way they want to with their own furniture in the space, or using the room however they want to.

Unfortunately this isn’t easy for the buyer to do. A high majority of the buyers, as many as 80% cannot visual a room or home when it is vacant. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 82% percent of buyers’ agents said staging a homemade it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.

Why is this:

  • Rooms Look Smaller When They Are Empty: This makes it tough for a buyer to know if their furniture will fit in a space.

 

  • Key Rooms in an Open Concept Home Are Difficult to Distinguish: Buyers are not quite sure where one room stops and another starts. They are left wondering what a blank area in between can be used for.

 

Kentucky Ave S_019

(Photo taken by @Spacecrafting)

  • Most Buyers Cannot Visual How Furniture Should Be Arranged: This is one of the toughest things for a homeowner, how should their furniture be arranged? Most people think furniture needs to be against a wall, so a home with a lot of windows may leave them perplexed. Floating furniture in and throughout a room cannot be visualized by many so they don’t know how the home will work for them.

 

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  • Online Photos of a Vacant House Are Cold and Impersonal: There is nothing to captivate the buyer, draw them into the home from their online search. Even beautiful built-ins can look boring and daunting when they are empty.

 

Sellers don’t expect the entire home to be staged, but NAR’s data shows that 46% of buyers say that staging the living room is very important, while the main bedroom (43%) and kitchen (35%) were close behind.

If you will be selling a vacant home, consider talking with a Home Staging Company to stage the most important rooms.

Rooms With Style received the Gold Medal for “Best of MN” in both the Home Staging and Interior Design categories in 2021. Team Member Kelly Zabel received the ‘Rising Star Award’ in 2021 by her peers throughout the United States and Canada in the Real Estate Staging Association.

 

 

Parade of Homes is On! Sept 11-Oct 2

 

It has been a very busy time for home builders as new construction homes are in big demand. If you are thinking about building or renovating, you must take in the Parade of Homes. It’s the perfect time to get ideas, see what is on trend, what you like and don’t like.

 

 

The Parade is running from Noon to 6:00 pm Thursday – Sunday through October 2nd.

We are partial to Parade Models #252, #257 and #262. We love staging Parade of Homes models and find it a great honor to do so.

 

 

There may not be a marching band at this Parade but it is one to enjoy on a beautiful Fall day. Check out paint colors, light fixtures, flooring, and of course the staging!  

 

 

 

 

One Level Living – Not Just for 55+

Yes it is in demand! From the 55+ market to young families, more and more people are looking to one level living for ease.

It’s not for everyone. In our area many of the one level living homes have one bedroom on the main level plus will have a full lower level with one to three bedrooms. This may not work for a family with infants or young children as parents will want the kiddo’s bedrooms on the same floor theirs.

Many one level living homes however have at least two bedrooms on the main level if not three.

I recently staged a model home that is one level living with one common wall. A townhome so to speak. These are higher end and due to the townhome setting are more likely to appeal to the 55+ who wants the one level living but not give up the space or luxury. These would also appeal to young professionals who want the luxury but not the hassle of maintaining a yard.

Most of the 55+ townhomes will have a wonderful open concept that is great for just you or for gatherings of friends.

 

 

 

 

The entrance to the Master will be convenient off the main living area.

 

 

 

 

 

You will many times find a second bedroom on that main living level that is wonderful to use as an office if that fits your lifestyle better.

 

 

If you are lucky it may even have a wonderful sun porch!

 

 

Although two story homes are still being built everywhere, more and more you are seeing one level living Townhomes and  Ramblers being built and in demand.  If that is the lifestyle that appeals to you, take the time to see what is available.