Realtors Only Edition #58-

Issue: #58

November 2011

Room to Breathe Home Organizing & Staging

Simplifying Selling.

In This Issue

Holiday Home Staging

Coupon

Add Value Beyond What Your Sellers Expect...

...See coupon at end of page!

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Testimonial

"Hi Jessica,

We really appreciated hearing from you...and yes, it is congratulations! We have a signed contract from a pre-approved buyer with no home to sell...and best of all, it is for 98% of our asking price! J We are very happy campers and realize too that we are very lucky!

We had planned to email you yesterday before the day got away from us. We are most appreciative of your help, Jessica...You gave us the encouragement to go for restoring the hardwood floors(which are so beautiful) and the blueprint for a successful "staging". We enjoyed executing that as you can probably tell. The inspiration to re-paint the sunroom khaki came late in the game and works perfectly with the dark green blinds and stone-look vinyl.

We are recommending you to folks and will continue to do so. Thank you again and all best wishes!"

-M and S, State College

Simply.

It's how we do things.

Greetings!

I sit here in shock over the fact that I'm writing about Holiday Home Staging already. This year has gone by at record pace, which tells me it was a very busy and very good year. It's at this time of year that I get very eager for the following new year and all it holds. Each year brings new ideas and things to do; I do my best to switch up things each to keep them fresh.
Do you?

I would love to hear what new ideas or activites you are doing in your real estate business to stand out from the sea of those doing the same ol', ol'.

I know I have some fun staging ideas going on with some of you and I so much look forward to getting started soon!!!

I wish you all the happiest holiday season!

Simply,

Jessica Dolan

Bringer of Order

Room to Breathe Home Organizing & Staging, LLC

Welcome to the most magical and most stressful time of the year-especially if you are trying to sell your house. What can you do to make that sale faster?

Here are some great ideas to think about to help you get to that sale quicker:

1) Minimize the holiday decorations. Buyers can be easily distracted and extra decorations in your home will keep them from focusing on buying your home. Especially be careful of overly religious decor while selling as well.

2) Put a colorful Welcome Mat at front door. This will add more curb appeal to your home and help keep visitors from tracking dirt inside.

3) Display fresh flowers or holiday arrangement in the kitchen or dining room. This will add color and a fresh smell to your home.

4) Put away the holiday presents during showings. This could prove to be too tempting for some buyers or their children.

5) Light a fire in the fireplace. It creates a wonderful ambiance for showings. Just make sure it's not left unattended for long.

6) Turn on all the lights. Buyers love to feel welcome, and nothing welcomes them more than turning on the lights and opening the blinds. A well-lit home sells.

7) Touch up with fresh paint. Keep it neutral, but touch-ups with fresh paint is one of the best and least-expensive investments you can make.

8) Play music during showings. Keep the volume low, but keep a CD playing or tune to an easy-listening music station.

9) Leave out fresh-baked cookies. Not only does it make your home smell wonderful, but it leaves a lasting impression on potential buyers.

10) Shovel the driveway and walkways. You want buyers to get to your front door, so keep the area passable and clean.

And there you go...some great tips to keep your home successfully staged during the holidays!

Ask the Stager

Jessica:

If you had to pick the top three things to do to a house before listing, what would they be?

-Stacy, Bellefonte

Dear Stacy,

This is sort of a tough question because my top three is usually so different from house to house. If had to generalize though here's what I would very strongly suggest:

1. Deep clean every possible surface in the house. I can't tell you how many sellers under estimate the power of a deep cleaning (from floor trim to ceilings). Even for those of us that keep a very clean house; it's amazing at what you can miss when you see it every day.

2. Pack away personal photos and pet paraphernalia or at least hide it for showings. Do all you can to make your house feel as if it could be anyone's. You don't want buyers to feel like they are walking into your home, but rather their future home.

3. Make sure rooms show their best. Walk around and make sure you can easily open all doors, cabinets, drawers, etc. Entrance doors to rooms should open fully with no dressers or other furniture or hanging devices on them. Windows shouldn't be blocked by non-transparent headboards or TVs. Windows should be clean and you may want to remove the screens to let in more light and improve the view.

I could go on and on and on with suggestions, but hopefully this will get you started. Just let me know if you have anymore, okay?

Simply,

Jessica

Where is Room to Breathe Speaking?

November 9: Dragonfly

Holiday Happiness

The holiday buzz starts early! November is the time to get started on our holiday preparations. Not only do we need the time, but it's fun to stretch out the holiday spirit. But there is no reason for it to overwhelm you. Come learn some easy tips and tricks to keep this holiday season memorable and not miserable. POSTPONED!!!

November 15: Penn State Commission for Women

A panel discussion of women's equality rights in the workplace.

Jessica is one of four panelists.

11/15/11 at 7pm

Carnegie Cinema on Campus

Open to the Public

November 16: Penn State Entrepreneurial Business Class

Jessica speaks to students at the Smeal College of Business about starting, growing, and maintaining a business.

Scheduling Winter 2012 Speaking Engagements Now!

Thank Your Sellers and Buyers With Room to Breathe Gift Certificates!

What better way to thank your buyers and sellers than with a gift certificate to help them unpack, get organized, arrange furniture, receive a paint color consult or anything else RTB offers?!

The gift of simplicity.

And today, you can Buy One Hour, Get One FREE! Keep the hour for yourself or gift to your seller or buyer!