Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Feng Shui and what I have learned...

I recently attended a class in Feng Shui. It was given by Ned Farrell who is a Feng Shui Consultant. Feng Shui helps create a harmonious, successful, and peaceful environment.
I learned some new things and wanted to share those with you. These tips also help with the Staging of a home.
Ned told us "all doors should work well" meaning, remove the clutter from behind doors. You need to be able to open the door all of the way. The front door is where all good energy enters. Clean up the clutter!
Organize your clutter into groups of "kee", "throw out", "donate", "build a bon fire"! Clutter equals negativity.
Free up the corners, remove any unnecessary item from the corners of a room.
Let the sun shine in! Natural light and good air quality are a must have.
Not sure where to place your desk? Bed? Dresser? Ned's website is www.NedFarrell.com

Stage your home to sell...clean, clean, clean!

Kitchens and bathrooms are THE rooms that sell your home. Here are some tips to stage your kitchen and bath. First be sure all of your fixtures are in good working condition. Replace outdated plumbing fixtures with sleek, modern ones. Brass was popular in 1988, it's not popular in 2008. Stainless steel is a good choice as is pewter.

Regarding color and decor...in the bathroom, color coordinate towels and shower curtains. Place a floral arrangement or candles on the counter tops. Only one or two items on the counter tops in the Kitchen. Remember no clutter, no one really wants to see your toothbrush and toothpaste on the bathroom sink. They don't want to see personal items in the kitchen (magnets on refrigerator, personal pictures, etc.)

Remember to clean, scrub, and deodorize! Rooms need to sparkle from top to bottom! You want the buyer to say "Wow"!

House for sale--during the holidays

Make your home warm and inviting for your friends, family and potential buyers! I have heard agents tell clients not to decorate their homes during the holidays and the client usually responds with "I live there". My advice is less is more. I am not saying don't put up a tree, just don't put up a 15 foot tree which will hide the beauty of your living room or family room. You can put a wreath on your front door and some lights outside, just don't create a winter wonderland in your front yard. Potential buyers might not celebrate the same holidays you do, so try not to go overboard. A good balance will keep everyone happy (your friends, family & buyers). You might also want to take pictures of your home before you decorate and leave those out so buyers can see the home before holiday decorations go up. The holiday season is a slow time in Real Estate sales but the great thing about listing your property during the holiday season is that you will find very serious buyers and there will be less competition (less homes on the market).