Recently we were honored to complete a commercial/retail construction project for Clarkes Jewelers in Shreveport, LA. This video features their Grand Opening of the new location.
Over the next couple of weeks we will be posting more video and information on the construction, design and green aspects of this collaborative project.
This week I am honored to feature a very special person Kelly Prim. Kelly is currently studying to become a stager. I asked her to be this month’s guest contributor and she graciously accepted the challenge. I hope you enjoy reading her input on this important part of selling a home.
In these difficult economic times, selling a home can be frustrating. Homes can stay on the market for months but some homeowners are tying a new approach to selling their home more quickly by using the services of a stager.
Stagers are similar to interior designers except that they redesign homes to appeal to a broad range of people, rather than just to the owners. Typically, staging involves rearranging or removing furniture to help a space feel open and airy, de-cluttering, and depersonalizing. I am a student stager and have just entered the complex world of this business through the Haverhill Institute of Staging and Design home study course. As part of this course I had to practice staging by staging my own home, which involved a spring cleaning and examination of my own tastes. The number one barrier to making any home appeal to a buyer is personal touch. I knew I had staged the rooms in my house correctly when I could walk into them and feel like I was not even in my own house anymore.
It‘s important to make sure that a buyer cannot tell anything about the owners except that they have a nice house and that it is very clean. Family photos, collections, art that might be distracting, all say something about the present owner and make it difficult for a buyer to picture themselves putting their own belongings in the space.
There are two rules I learned to stick to while working to becoming a stager. Firstly, when I walk in a room I pay attention to the first thing my eye goes to. It could be a brightly colored piece of artwork, an unusual antique, or a choice of furnishing that may make a space feel crowded. It does not matter what that object is that diverts your attention. The point is that the only thing that should be on a buyers mind is the pleasant feel of an open, spacious room and to remove anything that can divert that buyer’s attention.
Secondly, the other rule I formed for myself is to use color carefully. Neutral paint for wall color is a must, but using color is a great way to make a space feel inviting. Using smaller accessories such as throw pillows, pottery, and abstract art in one tone can tie a room together without overwhelming a space with too much color. Keeping patterns simple and used sparingly can help the space feel uncluttered and won’t distract the buyer’s attention.
Often I equate staging to decorating a space that will be used by many and appeal to all who enter it such as an upscale hotel room or lobby or a doctor’s office. These spaces are designed to be inviting, luxurious, comfortable and most importantly; appealing to everyone. If you are looking for a new aid to selling your home consider the services of a stager. You will be getting someone who can give you an objective eye to helping your home show at its best.
Last Friday, October 9, 2009 Mike Penn of Penn Homes spoke on a topic many of us today are facing in our lives. The North Louisiana AHEC (Area Health Education Center) hosted a seminar on aging in place, planning that can be done today in the building and/or remodeling process for tomorrow’s potential disability needs that can be incorporated into the home at little or no cost.
AHEC is a national organization that supports and advances the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) network in improving the health of individuals and communities by transforming health care through education. North Louisiana Area Health Education Center (NLAHEC) is a non-profit agency that exists to provide health education and resources to rural and underserved communities in north Louisiana. Through community based initiatives, NLAHEC implements programs designed to improve the health status of citizens, increase the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals, and provide outreach services and education to our service region of 21 parishes.
As we age most of us prefer to stay in our own home or with a spouse to maintain our independence, not to mention reduce the need and costs of long term care. Before making huge investments in changing the normalcy of the environment there are many small changes or maintenance items that can be addressed at little or no cost.
Outdoors
• Trim shrubbery along the pathway to the home.
• Keep walk areas clear of clutter.
• Small rocks are easily missed and can cause tripping hazards.
• Make sure walkways are clear of water by providing proper drainage lessening the risk of ice or puddles.
• Install adequate lighting by doorways and along walkways. Solar lighting is an economical low maintenance method that doesn’t require constant bulb replacement.
• Install handrails on stairs and steps. Consider putting a bright strip on edges to mark changes in height.
• Repair cracks and abrupt edges of sidewalks and driveways.
Interior Spaces
• Use a change of color to denote changes in surface types or levels especially on countertops to show where the edges are. A simple strip of colored high adhesive tape on the edge is quite effective.
• Secure rugs with nonskid tape as well as carpet edges.
• Use level loop carpet. Textured carpets and shags can be trip hazards.
• Avoid throw rugs.
• Use levered door handles and be sure they loop back to the door so clothing doesn’t accidently get caught on the door handle.
• Looped handles on cabinets and levered faucets are easier to use versus knobs.
• Install secure grab bars on walls. Unsecured grab bars are more dangerous than no grab bar at all.
Lighting
• Check lighting for adequate illumination and glare control. Exposed bulbs can cause glare. Glare is a huge factor as our eyes age. Lamps need to cover bulbs. Windows allow much needed light but can also be a major source of glare defeating the purpose of the light.
• Consider task lighting. Energy saving bulbs give off more light than conventional bulbs but often take a few minutes to reach brightness. Do not use energy saving bulbs in locations instant light is needed.
There are many things to consider when building, remodeling. Raising kitchen cabinets off the floor to make room for the foot rests on a wheelchair allows the user closer access to the countertops. Keep cabinet design flexible so frequently used items are within reach. Go ahead and widen hallways and doorways. Consider designing your home without steps or at least lower thresholds.
Christine Wright, PhD said according to the CDC 1.8 million people 65 and older were injured from unintentional falls. 433,000 of the 1.8 million were hospitalized. Environmental factors such as lighting, glare or a lack of contrast between surfaces are the most common hazards. Don’t let your loved one become a statistic. Make the investment today to save heartache and money tomorrow.
For more information on North Louisiana AHEC and continuing education opportunities visit www.nlahec.org.
Sales & Marketing Mgr., Penn Homes 