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When you go to put your house on the market, most people will advise you to put away your clutter: the piles of mail, the refrigerator magnets, toiletries on the bathroom vanities, etc. And while that’s a good start and certainly something most people can tackle this themselves, it’s just not enough. I am always amazed at how many people think  staging an owner-occupied house is just decluttering and tidying up. It’s so much more. Two major things really stand out. First, staging assesses which furniture should stay (gets re- arranged, too!) to improve flow, functionality and showcase your floor plan. Second, lighting, art and accessories are filled in to really make the home come to life. These two steps are crucial and can make the difference between a quick, full price offer and a house that sits for months.

So many design trends come and go. Chevron patterns and mirrored furniture…so popular in the last few years and finally going out of style. So what are some classic design ideas that you can bank on? Top 3:

1.White kitchens

2.Black and White color schemes

3.Built in shelving.

There.

Love this idea!

Love the look of an accent wall done with one of these new groovy wallpapers…

These iconic pieces of furniture are classic design. Any home would benefit from an addition from this group!

This new trend with free standing tubs I think is here to stay. Just gorgeous.

Flex rooms. Bonus rooms. Whatever you call them, this concept is fairly new and smart builders of new homes are incorporating them into their floor plans. Spaces designed to be used for multiple needs are very popular with today’s buyers. You have several options for the same space, and depending what you decide to use it for, it has different amenities, such as french doors to the room, built-ins, or incorporating a closet, for example. You personalize it to what your needs are. Play rooms, tv rooms, craft rooms, work out areas, guest rooms, home office are just to name a few. It’s a smart way to use all the square footage in your home in a way that makes sense to you.

With the majority of buyers doing their homework on line before they even pick up the phone to see a house, the importance of good photography is huge.

Here are a few tips:
1.  Spend more time in choosing the exterior photo than you do the rest of the shots, because that’s the hook that will get buyers to look at the rest of the photos.
2. Think about the strongest points of the home. Your realtor will know what buyers are really excited about, and focus on that.
3. Time of day matters. Early in the morning or at twilight are the best for exterior shots. The best time  is half an hour before sunset to half an hour after. An exterior twilight shot with all the interior lights turned on can look amazing.
4. Use a wide angle lens to make spaces appear more spacious, and to be able t get it all in.