That is exactly why you need to be sure before listing your home you take the time to stage and de-personalize your home.  HGTV has done a wonderful job of showing us that with a small budget you can turn your house from shabby to chic.  Please do not let the shows fool you, it is very important to remember that staging before you list will be key to a positive first impression.  Be sure your home shows better than competition.  Here are a few simple ways to help.

1. Remove all personal pictures, trophies and personal items. Pack it up!
2. Paint neutral colors throughout the main living spaces – consider neutral tan.
3. Replace cabinet hardware and light fixtures.  Shop stores like Lowes and Home Depot and purchase these items in contractor packs for added savings.
4. Less is more when selling. Every corner of every room does not need to have a plant or a chair. Don’t be afraid of blank spaces. 
5. The less is more also appies in closets. Pull out of season clothes out, pack them up and store them. You can take your Christmas tree to a storage unit along with anything else that you will not need.  Empty space tells buyers you have plenty of storage.
6. Hire someone to professionally clean your carpet.
7. Scrub all appiances and scrub the bathrooms.
8. Bath and Body Works wallflowers. The best on the market.
9. Turn all lights on for every showing, regardless of the time of day.
10. Dust and vacuum before a showing. Hang fresh towels.

We can help stage using your own furniture and accessories or we have inventory you can rent.  If you need to hire a contractor, we have trustworthy and inexpensive contractors that can step in and get the job done fast.

It has been amazing to me as I watch my client base grow and project dreams turn into successes.  With success comes more business as happy clients tell others.  As I continue to grow I have found that I am not my personal best for each of my clients.  This reality was tough for me only until I realized that I have amazing and capaple friends that are eager to work with me.

Ann Marie Baker came on board as a Home Stager last summer.  She has an amazing eye for detail and her dedication to me and our clients is invaluable.  She has a strong work ethic and is a great stager.

Switching gears to the other side of my business; interior design and remodeling.  Word of mouth has offered countless opportunities for this side of the company to flourish and grow.  I am happy to say that while Ann Marie focuses on Home Staging, I have been able to focus a little more of my time on design and remodeling.  My client base stretches from commercial business here in Rockford out to Jenison.  Residential projects take me not far from home, to Sand Lake, Grand Rapids and Hudsonville.

Ann Marie and I recently made the decision to add a third person to our team. This person will assist both of us in Staging and Remodel projects.  Brittney Pokorzynski joined our team in March. She has a very bright personality, tons of energy and a very strong work ethic.  Brittney will be my go-to for design assistance and she will be along on our staging projects.

As a team we promise fast service, dedication and attention to detail.  We offer home staging, interior design and remodel project planning. We keep up on the latest trends and offer the high end look for the budget minded. We key in on the client’s style while adding neutral and eye catching details.

Keep checking back to this blog spot and my Aeria Home Design Facebook Page as we offer design tips, fun products and project updates.

We look forward to working for you!

Lisa Chamberlain

1. Neutralize your home.  Remove personal family photos, trinkets from vacation, art projects from your kids.  Replace family photos with pretty greeting cards or inexpensive art.

2. De-clutter your home. I like to tell my clients that I am only giving you a jump start on your packing. Go through every closet and book shelf.  Be realistic about what stays and what goes.

3. Update the paint. Pick neutral colors and go for it!  Be sure to touch up any trim work while you are at it.

4. Be smart about furniture. When selling your house never be afraid of empty spaces. Placing furniture in a small group in order to highlight the fireplace, versus around the television.

5. Clean houses sell.  It is by far the single most important (and free!) update to your house. Clean every inch of the house, top to bottom and keep it that way. Buyers can tell the difference between a house that was just cleaned and a house that is always clean.

Be sure to check back regularly for more tips!

Download Our Brochure

A Staging Expert combines the skills of an interior designer, home remodeler, real estate salesperson and theatrical set decorator. A Staging Expert is a professional working for you, to get your home ready to move in a market that is sluggish for everyone else.

A Staging Expert makes things happen FAST, because every day the home remains unsold will cost you money. A home is transformed by staging in just a few days, into a powerful visual sales story that can change an open house into a bidding war.

A Staging Expert makes things happen ECONOMICALLY. It costs far less than the first price reduction and cuts time on the market that takes a bite out of equity, month after month. A Staging Expert gives you the biggest bang for the buck, choosing only improvements that make the most powerful visual impact while keeping a tight rein on your overall budget.

Download our new brochure and see what Staging Expert Aeria Design can do for you!

• It takes a buyer 10 seconds to form an opinion of your home. Make that first impression count!
  
• Only 10% of buyers have the ability to see past the clutter.
• 9 out of 10 buyers search online for their new home. Hiring Aeria Design before posting to MLS will make your home stand out against the competition!
  
• Buyers are unable to identify a clear budget should a home need updating. For example, if you need to update the carpet, buyers place a value of nearly double what is within a realistic budget.
• Homes that are staged sell nearly 50% faster than their un-staged competition.
• Fluffy towels and rugs really DO matter! Creating a warm, inviting space triggers that need for comfort. It is so simple to add accessories and neutral décor.

The bottom line:

Taking “you” out of your house will allow the buyers to move in. Do not wait until you have been on the market for months. Hire Aeria Design before you are even listed!

The most traffic is within the first month of listing  -  capture their attention from day one – and consider your house SOLD!

Check out our Testimonials page to see how others feel about Aeria Design’s services.

Our consultations are proven effective methods to help sellers realize the reality of the market. We are seeking homes that need to be neutralized! Contact us soon to learn how we can help.