Simple rules whilst selling at Christmas time!

You can still celebrate Xmas whilst selling your home

Follow these simple rules

• The old paper decorations that the kids made in kindy have got to go. Pack them up just for this year!
• The tinsel strewn across the room... That's a definite NO.
• Replace the half burned out candles with fresh new ones.
• Look at your Christmas tree does it need replacing? What about the decorations?
• Create a unique tree and treat yourself to some new decorations.
• No stencil frosting on the windows.
• Resist the temptation to adorn the whole home with decorations, I suggest that
• you just stick to a beautiful tree, a wreath on the front door and minimal table top decorations.

Love ottoman's

I love these ottomans and floor pillows. They add instant and colour to your home, not to mention additional seating.
Remove the old bean bags and replace them with some stylish ottomans or floor pillows.

                                                         

Feature walls

Feature walls are a great way to inject colour into a room. Select a colour that compliments the surroundings. Feature walls can highlight interesting angles or spaces. Feature walls can transform that dull room into a space that really says wow look at me.

                                                            
                                                   

Lighting

Every home needs at least one WOW factor. Look at your lightning and think about replacing the old amber shade with something that stands out and makes a lasting first impression. 

Table lamps and floor lamps also give that WOW factor. They also indeed help create a warm atmosphere and ambience during inspections and open homes.

Personal touch

Give your home the personal touch, remove all the clutter items and introduce items  that are charming/ handcrafted. Home-wares that tell a story or have a particular style.

Look around for items that either have a fond memory for you or a family member.
Group items of similar shape, colour and finish.

                                                   

Magic Magazines

Sick and tired of your magazines spilling all over the place. Think about piling them up in a stack at the end of a sofa or side of the bed and use them for a side table. They will not only look fantastic, but will tidy up that mess.

                                         

Quote of the week

Mellow yellow

Yellow is the colour of sunshine, lemons and flowers, offering a fresh appeal in each of it's variations. Check out these fresh ideas for decorating with yellow and discover ways to bring the sunshine into your home. Let's brighten up your home and watch the buyers come flooding in!

                              I am just loving yellow at the moment. For another fix click

                                 
The  meanings of colour in colour psychology,
 The colour yellow is the colour of the mind and the intellect. It is optimistic and cheerful. However it can also suggest impatience, criticism and cowardice. 

Blooming gorgeous

Many of us don't have the time to be arranging and purchasing flowers prior to our open homes and open for inspections.

• If the budget allows, think about contacting your local florist to deliver a fresh bunch of flowers to your home.

          Alternatively  grab a bunch from the supermarket whilst you are doing your
          grocery's

• Try and buy flowers that match or compliment your decor. Instant WOW

•  I really love fresh flowers in the home. Lily's smell so lovely and remind me of the birth of my Lili.

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Kids bedrooms

Kids bedrooms tend to get very messy. To help them stay more organized buy some baskets that slide under the bed. Great for their toys and books. Makes for a quick tidy up before inspections.

                                                               Great ideas

I love pretty things, they really can make a home

I love pretty things, they really can make a home. Something as simple as a vase of fresh flowers or a nice fragrant candle burning. These things really make a home feel homely! Try and have the candles burning and some fresh flowers for your open homes.

Quote of the week

Quote of the week

Improving the outdoor area is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to add value to your property.

 Improving the outdoor area is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to add value to your property.
You'll be amazed at how little time it can take to transform your outdoor areas into a space that buyers can imagine entertaining in or watching the kids play outdoors.
 Create a look that is enticing and peaceful.
Potted plants are inexpensive and give you that instant WOW

             

Bathroom tubs have really come along way

Bathroom tubs have really come along way. It never ceases to amaze me just how much impact a free standing bath tub makes to a bathroom.I'ts a real "WOW". Be inspired to sink into a tub and soak your cares away!

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Statement pieces

 Every space you see that makes you long to live there usually has one thing in common, the statement piece. Whether sleek and chic or wild and wacky these pieces are often the key element to the room’s success. Here are samples of statement pieces that you could add (or copy) to add some extra personality and wow factor to your own home. 

Quote of the week

Winter outdoor areas

If you're anything like me the backyard pergola gets neglected in the winter time. Buyers love the outdoor entertaining areas, so its important that they can imagine themselves entertaining under that pergola, cooking the BBQ and having fun with family and friends.

• Generally the pavers get a build up of moss and dirt. Get the hose and scrubbing brush out and give them a good clean with a cleaning solution
• Do the same with the outdoor furniture and the BBQ
• Discard the dead hanging plants and dreary potted ones and replace with some vibrant new colourful plants or flowers.
• For some 'WOW' pot some colourful flowers and put them on the table
•  Add some colourful cushions to the existing seating
• Now you're ready to bring your buyers through  

                                                 Click here for some great ideas

When styling your home for sale you must learn how to get the best out of the space that you already have!

When styling your home for sale you must learn how to get the best out of the space that you already have!

 For some inspiration buy some magazines and check out some of the interior design and styling shows on television such as "The Block". Personally,  I love pinterest check it out for some great home decor ideas and trendy and cool items for your home.

Remember when selling your home " Presentation" is a must!

How amazing do these pieces of furniture look!

How amazing do these pieces of furniture look! Why not give those old chest of draws a lick of paint - instant wow. Sure enough to brighten and enhance any room in the house. Inexpensive and effective.

Check out for more great ideas.

Mould and mildew tend to creep into almost every home by the end of a long cold winter

Mould and mildew tend to creep into almost every home by the end of a long cold winter. The kitchen is no exception and generally it's the heart of the family. See below some spring cleaning suggestions

• Wash all the walls over with some soapy scented water
• Scrub all the kitchen cupboards with a no abrasive product
• Give the floors and any rugs a good vacuum and wash
• Time to clean out the dreaded pantry, discard all of the out dated food
• Re organise the pantry, I love organised cupboards
• Give the dishwasher a clean out
• Wipe out the interiors of the kitchen cupboards
• Clean the windows and window coverings
• Now for the most hated task of all YES the oven. You don't want your buyers seeing the last 3 months worth of baked dinners now do you
• De clutter the benches and give them a good scrub
• If you are feeling really energetic scrub all of your appliances and most used items
• Once you have achieved all of the above, treat yourself  to a bottle of champagne and a bunch of flowers to brighten up the kitchen
• Owh and don't forget to wash the light fittings

When selling your property, one of trickiest things to ask a client is to remove their "treasures"

When selling your property, one of trickiest things to ask a  client is to remove their "treasures" or shall i say in some cases clutter and junk.

When one of my clients is preparing their home for the the professional photographer, i always urge them to remove the clutter. Even if it is only for the photography.

I  like to have a walk through the property with the client prior to the photography and talk with my clients about what needs to be done to prepare the home for the photographs. I like to leave them with a check list.

There is nothing worse than arriving with the photographer to find dirty tea towels hanging on the stove and the kitchen table covered in junk!

You would be surprised at how many times that has happened!

 We have to de clutter and present the property to it's best ability.

                                 

Lets inject some real value into your property this month

It's tough out there that's for sure. Buyers are spoilt for choices so sellers have to present a house which will stand out from the rest.

Now that you are selling, its the perfect time to look at how you can add some real value to your house or unit through improvements.

During this month you will be inspired with the 8 easy ways that the experts reckon will inject real value into your property.

Check out David Koch blog http://kochie.com.au/20120506558/inject-real-value-into-your-property

Let's get all the boxes ticked and lets go and get you a sale.

                                     

Divine Bedrooms

How Divine are these beds.. Check out my Pinterest board labeled Bedrooms for some more gorgeous ideas!

Winter styling ideas!

Check out pinterest for more styling ideas

Swap old lamps for some new trendy new ones

Swap old lamps for some new trendy new ones. Or why not treat yourself to some new shades. They are inexpensive and can bring a whole new look to your room.

                                                         

Big, colourful and comfy

Big, colourful and comfy is the choice when selecting cushions to brighten up a home. You will be amazed at what a difference a cushion can make.

                                         

The WOW factor

Having a Wow factor in your home does not have to cost the earth. Try adding a large mirror or some fabulous lamps or how about some awesome lighting.

                                         

See below some quick tips for the exterior of your property:

See below some quick tips for the exterior of your property:

• Mow the front & rear lawns
• Weed the gardens
• Trim the edges
• Chop and trim any over grown trees and shrubs
• Remove any rubbish that's lying around. Old pot plants, unused toys etc.
• If you have a pool, please make sure it is clean.
•  Remove pool cleaning apparatus out of sight
• Get rid of the cobwebs
• Clean your windows
• Make sure your blinds and curtains are clean and present well from the exterior of the property.
• Do any necessary paint touch ups. How about a bright red front door?
• Clean and freshen up the veranda.
• Make sure all door hardware is in good working order. You don't want your knob to fall off do you!
• If time permits add some colourful flowers, they will instantly brighten up your garden.
• Why not put 2 pots either side of your front door - Instant wow!

                                     

A couple of quick tips to make your kitchen stand out for the photographer :

A couple of quick tips to make your kitchen stand out for the photographer :

• Remove all the clutter from the bench tops and kitchen table
• Make sure the sink is clutter free. That means no dishcloths or hand wash to be seen
• Get rid of the tea towel hanging on the oven door
• Remove all the magnets and bills from the fridge
• Remove all the appliances from the bench tops
• Add some colour to the room, try putting some green apples in a bowl or add some flowers to the bench top
• Freshen up walls and cupboards 
• Wash and shine the oven, stove and kitchen cupboards
• Open the curtains or blinds and make sure window coverings and windows are clean
• Let the light in

                                     

Love this

Great light - So in at the moment

                                                  

Quote of te week

Imagine that you are a buyer and you are time poor

Imagine that you are a buyer and you are  time poor and do not have the time to physically inspect homes for sale.These days most buyers start their search online. Most buyers would of viewed your property on the Internet before they have even decided to inspect your property.

 In my opinion its paramount that you have fantastic professional photographs taken of your property . I always encourage my vendors to have professional photography done.

You don't want potential buyers deciding that your property is not for them because they have judged your home from the poor photographs on the Internet or in the real estates window display. Great pictures equal more inspections.

Remember a sale can be lost by one click of a mouse. If your property does not stand out and attract buyers to inspect your home, well my friend unfortunately you have lost a sale.

                               great chandelier

                     Lighting makes a difference

                         
                           Sure to impress

Open house

We all would like open home day to be perfect,with the sun shinning, blue skies and perhaps those whales playing out to sea and of course the birds singing
Unfortunately that's not always possible.If you wake up to a dull overcast day you need to make your home as appealing as possible.

• Turn on all the lights and lamps 
• Open all of the curtains and blinds
• Light some candles and burn some oils
• Warm the house, leave the heating on for open home
• Play some soft music

Cool Lighting

Vacant homes sell slower than houses that are occupied. Why is that?

People don't buy houses, they by homes, they buy a lifestyle! Without furniture, wall art, rugs, lighting, and decor there are no emotional connection points in the house – the house does not show its soul and any lifestyle that buyers can aspire to. Buyers like to walk into a home and imagine what it would be like to live there,they start to place their furniture and think about what it would be like to live in the property. If there's no furniture and no ambiance it sure will make your agents job harder! Style it to sell it.

                                                              Click here to see more
                                                      

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts"
                                                Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The property needs to be as neutral as possible

The property needs to be as neutral as possible when the potential buyers first see it. Property styling is all about setting up the property for sale so the buyers can visualise themselves in the space and imagine moving into your home. By making your property as neutral as possible they can more easily see themselves in the backyard having a BBQ for their family and friends. And by adding a few nice pillows to your outdoor setting you can create an invitation to let the buyers imaginations run wild.

For some instant colour and fragrance

For some instant colour and fragrance place some fresh herbs by the backdoor or on the window sill in the kitchen. Instant WOW not to mention the fresh aroma and the fresh ingredients at your finger tips. If you do not have any herbs in the garden use anything green out of the garden. It is  amazing at what a jug of greenery can do to liven up a dull bench.

                                                                Image  the aroma

I dare you to do something different this month?

 I am going to share with you items and ideas that can enhance your property when you list it for sale.
Changing interiors brings new energy into your property and can help maximise the property value.
The aim of property styling is to sell your property quickly, and for the most amount of money.
 Let's together, make your home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers possible.
I say let's reduce your days on market and style your home to sell. Start at your front door and walk around your property as if you were a buyer. Mmm now what do see that you do not like? Remove it, the clutter, the magnets, the pictures, the piles of junk,  and clean and clean some more!

For more tips talk a wander through my blog

Outdoors in the cooler weather

Generally we tend to neglect the exterior of our homes and the outdoors living spaces in the colder months.

• Make certain that the gardens and lawns are manicured and weed free. 
• Trim back all those dead branches.
• If your garden is lacking colour add some colourful plants.
• If you have a swimming pool keep it pristine, a dirty pool is very off putting to a potential buyer.
• Clean the windows and get rid of the cobwebs.
• For inspections add some bright cushions and throw rugs to the outdoor entertaining area. Instant Wow.
• Remember your buyer is judging your home from the outside. First impressions really do count

 Inviting