Tag Archives: Vacant Home Staging

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!  

 

 

 

 

Traffic Flow When Selling Your Home

I know it may sound a bit crazy to consider traffic when you are selling your home….like you need a traffic cop to assist you, but in a way you do. I guess I am that traffic cop! 🙂   policeman-23796__340

 

When you are putting your home on the market you really need to consider that you may have 5 to 6 people all together walking through your home. Potentially the Realtor, husband, wife and 2-3 kids. That is a lot of people getting through a space and yes, most tend to walk together through the house, at least at first.

large chair  I entered a home this week to do a home staging consultation and 4 feet inside the door was an extremely large easy chair that also blocked over half the hallway straight ahead into the rest of the home. Yes it was a great placement for watching TV but it was not a great placement for selling. Some short term inconveniences may need to be made.

 

You need to leave all hallways, walkways, stairways and landings completely open. In addition, any major traffic pattern through a room should have 4 feet of clearance. If it is a not a key walkway, then a 3 foot space is sufficient. In some cases 2 feet is fine, like the back side of a dining room table.

 

You don’t need to walk through your home with a tape measure but if it helps than by all means! When I do a Home Staging Consultation I literally stand at the front door and determine which way the buyer is going to walk through a home. A well trained Home Stager can even direct the traffic flow in a direction you may want them to go in order to highlight a key feature of the  home.

 

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In addition, traffic flow through a living room for example is best if it isn’t cutting through the middle of a furniture grouping. There are times in can not be helped but many times re-arranging of furniture can create a much better flow. In the picture above not only is there a direct line to the stunning and cozy sun porch, the buyer is not walking through the living room sitting area. That was grouped up towards the fireplace with ample space behind it.

 

So when  you are getting your home ready for sale…stand back, look at the traffic flow and walkways in your home and determine where adjustments may need to be made. Or call your Certified Home Stager for assistance!

 

 

The Parade of Homes Starts Today! Minneapolis MN

I love the Parade of Homes and it starts today! Even though it doesn’t feel like Spring in Minneapolis, the start of the Parade signals the start of the Spring Market and that brings hope that the days will become longer and trees should start to bud soon.

Tour 472 New Construction homes at all price levels. Free guidebooks are available at Holiday Station stores. You can map out a certain area of the Twin Cities or choose based on price.

If you have never been to any Parade of Homes I encourage you to do so. Even if you are not in the  market for a new construction home, it is a fun reason to get out of the house and get some decorating ideas.  It also is a way to keep current on what’s in style for updating your own home if you are going to do any updates or put it on the market.

The Models are open Thursdays – Sundays Noon – 6:00 PM. In addition, The Remodeler’s Showcase is March 29-31st which has 59 remodeled homes for you to tour.

If you happen to tour House #434 in Lakeville, check out the home staging as well from yours truly!

You can find more details about the Parade Of Homes at www.paradeofhomes.org