Long Beach Real Estate Staging

 

 

Last summer I was contacted by a retiree about staging her Long Beach home. The homeowner had already moved out of the house and up to Oregon where she was planning on purchasing a new home.

She had only taken what she needed in her new home and had left behind furniture and accessories, which were to be sold in a giant yard sale after the Long Beach home sold.  We staged this house with the homeowner's own furniture (plus a few additions) and some accessories. We brought additional artwork, accessories, linens and silk plants from Moving Mountains Design's extensive inventory.

Dining room before and after staging.

Rearranging the furniture and centering the table under the chandelier gave the room better flow.

 

This Long Beach home sold two weeks after staging (after sitting for two months with no offers) and the homeowner was thrilled. 60 Days on Market before staging - SOLD in 14 days after staging by Moving Mountains Design.

Master bedroom before and after staging

 

 

Here is the homeowner's testimonial:

"Michelle Minch is absolutely delightful to do business with, and a genius at what she does (STAGING!!).  My beautiful "cottage" was on the market for two months without a decent offer.  And we had to keep dropping the price along with the crazy and difficult market.  But no offers!!

I read an LA Times article about Michelle and her staging successes and decided I needed her help.  When I called Michelle, she responded quickly and professionally and got my home staged quickly. And two weeks later my home was in escrow!!  I only wish I had called on her to stage my house when I first put it on the market.  I am convinced I would have gotten a far better price and sold my house much quicker.  Thanks to Michelle and her crew for all their great work and for helping me and my realtor get the job done.  Great work!!" 

Family room before and after staging.

This was the most dramatic transformation and made the family room feel warm and cozy. 

 

When we staged this house, I could see 4 other houses for sale from the front yard. When we destaged, the same 4 houses were for sale and a new one had been added.

Staging by Moving Mountains Design Home Staging was a very inexpensive and cost effective way to get this home sold quickly.  This was a modest house and we staged with modest furniture. Staging doesn't have to be fancy or complicated to be effective. But it does require an experienced professional stager who understands the market and how to best use the available resources to squeeze maximum appeal from the home and furnishings.

Call Michelle Minch at Moving Mountains Design (626)-441-8975 to discuss how your Long Beach home can be staged for a faster sale affordably and effectively.

We know what makes homes sell!

*Long Beach Home Staging: Photos and Testimonials* Copyright 2009 Michelle Moving Mountains Design Home Staging.  Posted to www.longbeachrealestatehome.com, with permission, by the author. 

 

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For more information about staging your Long Beach home or condo, contact Michelle Minch at (626)441-8975 or via email Michelle@MovingMountainsDesign.com . You can also visit her Los Angeles home staging web site or view a portfolio of before and after home staging photos.

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When you are ready to sell your Long Beach home contact:

 

 

Laurie Manny Professional Group

244 Redondo Avenue
Belmont Heights
Long Beach, California 90803

(562) 212-5420

 

Related articles:

Staging and Home Improvement related articles:

 

• Space Saving Ideas for your Long Beach Homes
• Small Living Space Solutions for Long Beach Homes
• Curb Appeal On A Budget
• Summer in Long Beach California - Reduce Your Energy Costs and Stay Cool
• Why Stage Your Long Beach Home or Condo?
• Long Beach Backyards-Ponds and Nasty Swimming Pools
• Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodels
• Long Beach Home Bathroom Remodels
• Are YOUR Granite Countertops "HOT"?
• Unusual Mailboxes

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/00974A

 

Interview With Award Winning Long Beach Home Stager

Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design

 

 

We are so excited to announce a new member to our Long Beach Real Estate Home blogging team: Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design. Michelle is an award winning professional home stager and interior designer in Long Beach and Los Angeles. She'll be sharing her extensive knowledge about home staging for Long Beach homes, preparing Long Beach homes for sale, upgrading your home before selling, as well as interior design and redesign. Michelle is happy to answer any questions you might have about home staging, design & redesign, especially as it pertains to Long Beach real estate.

I interviewed Michelle earlier this week regarding home staging and how and why it works to help sell Long Beach homes faster and at a better price.

Home staging is all over the news and on television. What exactly is home staging?

The simplest definition of home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale. The end goal of home staging being that the home has a greater perceived value and is appealing to the largest number of potential buyers.

How does staging work? Do home stagers use the sellers' furniture, bring in their own or rent furniture and accessories? 

Yes, all of the above! A full service home staging company (such as Moving Mountains Design) can use the sellers' furniture & accessories solely, supplement the sellers' furniture with additional rented furniture and accessories, or fully furnish a home, or the key rooms, with appropriate rented furniture, rugs, artwork & accessories. When working with a homeowners' furniture some factors we consider are budget, condition of the furniture, whether there is enough furniture & appropriateness of the furniture in regard to the architectural style of the home. The goal is to make your Long Beach home look like a model home in the most cost effective manner possible. We have a 1,500 sq.ft. warehouse stocked floor to ceiling with artwork, silk plants, all manner of accessories, books, throw pillows, bedding, towels and Persian rugs. We have furniture and accessories for every style and price home. We have a large selection of artwork and accessories which is particularly suited to the Long Beach real estate market.

What other services does a typical home stager provide?  

There is no one size fits all description of services stagers offer. Much depends upon the stager's training and experience. Since Moving Mountains Design is also an interior design firm, besides home staging, we offer services such as paint color selection, staging to live, bathroom and kitchen upgrades or cost effective redesign for sale, curb appeal and landscape design, Feng Shui, window treatments, and carpet replacement. We are also one of the few staging companies in Long Beach and elsewhere that offer professional quality photographs of the homes we stage for use on the MLS, in internet marketing and in printed advertisements as part of our staging package.

 

How does staging help to sell a home or a condo?

When you put your home on the market, you're entering it in a beauty contest. The best looking homes sell faster and often for a higher price. Home stage prepares your Long Beach home to have the greatest appeal to home buyers when compared to other similar homes on the market. Staged homes photograph better and therefore are more attractive in MLS listings and on sites like Zillow and Trulia. If your home doesn't look good on the internet, it will be dismissed with a click of the mouse.

What percentage of staged homes actually sell?  

Statistics vary from city to city and from stager to stager. In 2008, almost 80% of the homes Moving Mountains Designs staged sold in less than 60 days; half in less than 30 days, and several were in escrow within 7 days. Many factors come into play in a home sale - condition (in part addressed by home staging) appropriate pricing, effective marketing by the real estate agent, location, availability of financing, and market conditions. Home staging is one very important piece of the puzzle.

Do staged homes command higher prices than vacant homes in Long Beach?

If a home is staged properly, it has a higher perceived value whether it is occupied or vacant. Staged homes appear to be in better condition and exude a sense of comfort and well being. Homes that are staged appear to be well cared for. As part of our home staging consultation, we address any visible condition issues, such as leaky faucets, peeling paint, missing or mildewed grout, etc. In doing so, we identify issues that might make a home feel like less of a good value. We encourage the home owner to make all repairs before putting the home on the market so that there are fewer impediments to a sale. Regardless of whether your home is in Long Beach, Manhattan Beach or Miami Beach, buyers want a home that is move in ready. Home staging helps put your home's best face forward.

Is it advisable to stage an entire home?

In order to be as cost effective as possible, I normally suggest the following key rooms be staged: Entry, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, & Master Bedroom and bath.  If the home has an open floor plan, we also suggest staging any additional "public" rooms, such as the great room or den, and home office. When we are staging in a market where the typical buyer might value a downstairs Master Bedroom (for extended family) we often suggest staging that room as well. Occasionally, we will stage every room, but those are either model homes or have other special circumstances. Every home is different and requires either an on site visit or extensive photographs in order to determine the best course for effective staging. Of course, we always take the budget into consideration. I would rather see fewer rooms staged well, than many rooms staged poorly.

 

I communicate with the listing agent to discuss any areas they feel would benefit from staging and to discuss our findings so we are all on the same page.

What is the cost of staging an average Southern California home or condo?

• A comprehensive home staging consultation starts at $350. I will visit your Long Beach home and explain everything I feel needs to be done in order to maximize your chances for a faster sale. I then email you a customized, detailed report of everything we have discussed. You can do the work yourself, or hire Moving Mountains Design to do part or all of the work outlined in the report.
• Occupied home staging using the homeowners' own furniture and accessories start at $750 and depends upon how much work needs to be done.
• The minimum cost of staging a vacant home is $3,000 and can run to $15,000 or more for very large or multi-million dollar homes. The cost of staging is dependent upon the amount of time we estimate the job will take, the amount of furniture we will be bringing in and the number of rooms to be staged. Regardless of the cost of staging, I will give you a firm price so you will know before we start how much your staging will cost. We stage Southern California homes as small as 1,000 sq.ft. up to 10,000 sq.ft. and that range in list price from $350,000 to $15 million.

Under what conditions would a stager turn a job down?

I can only speak for myself.

• I have turned down jobs in situations where I feel home staging will not be helpful, or if I know there is a very limited budget and I feel the money would be better spent addressing condition issues that may prevent a sale, such as the need to paint, replace carpet or put on a new roof.
• I will turn down a job if I feel the home seller or real estate agent is attempting to, or asking me to, cover up or hide a defect that would adversely affect the value of the home or put anyone in danger.  
• I will also turn down a home staging project if I feel the home is not properly secured, is in a dangerous neighborhood or if I think any rental furniture or accessories will not be properly cared for.

Does home staging guarantee my home will sell?

Home staging is not a guarantee that your Long Beach home will sell. Too many factors influence the sale of a home. If you are working with a knowledgeable real estate agent, if your home is properly priced for the current market, is professionally staged and is properly marketed you stand a much greater chance of selling your home quickly and for the best price.

 

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For more information about staging your Long Beach home or condo, contact Michelle Minch at (626)441-8975 or via email Michelle@MovingMountainsDesign.com . You can also visit her Los Angeles home staging web site or view a portfolio of before and after home staging photos.

 

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When you are ready to sell your Long Beach home contact:

 

Laurie Manny Professional Group

244 Redondo Avenue
Belmont Heights
Long Beach, California 90803

(562) 212-5420

 

Related articles:

Staging and Home Improvement related articles:

• Curb Appeal On A Budget
• Summer in Long Beach California - Reduce Your Energy Costs and Stay Cool
• Why Stage Your Long Beach Home or Condo?
• Long Beach Backyards-Ponds and Nasty Swimming Pools
• Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodels
• Long Beach Home Bathroom Remodels

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/0096A7

Long Beach Real Estate News

Buying Fixer Upper Homes in Long Beach

 

Many buyers who are searching for homes in Long Beach express interest in purchasing a "fixer upper".  It is always interesting to hear what their idea of a "fixer upper" is.  There are so many levels of fixer upper it is necessary to clarify what the buyer has in mind.

 

Quite a few buyers of Long Beach Real Estate think a home that requires paint and carpet is a fixer upper.  These are cosmetic fixers and while they do cost a fair amount of money to update, it is very common to need paint and replace flooring when purchasing Long Beach homes.  This could be called a cosmetic fixer, but then many homes that require extensive work in the kitchen and bath - or even replacement - are often referred to as cosmetic fixers as well.  Costs can start to add up and the buyer isn't going to be thinking "cosmetic fixer" as the price tag begins to reach the stratosphere. 

 

• Paint interior and exterior
  
• Carpet or sanding/replacing hardwood or tile flooring.
  
• Kitchen Remodel or refacing
  
• Bath full or partial remodel

 

There are many items your home inspector will look at that can add to this already hefty amount of necessary repairs and/or upgrades.  Electric and plumbing replacements can get pricey if added to the already climbing total of necessary upgrades. Here are a few important items to inquire about:

 

• Has the electric been upgraded - at least partially? When?
• Is the plumbing copper? When was it installed?
  
• Are the upgrades nearing the end of their useful life? 
• Will you need to replace them at some point in the near future?

Lets not forget the roof.  There are many types of roofs, made out of many materials, but roofs do have a life expectancy. Find out how long ago the roof was installed and if the homeowner purchased a 30 year roof.  It will give you an idea of when (not if) you will need to upgrade it once again.  Roof replacements come in several forms.

 

• Adding an additional layer of shingle. (moderately expensive)
  
• Adding an additional layer of shingle and replacing the wood underneath it. (more expensive)
  
• Entire roof replacement including roof frame and ridge-board.  (quite pricey)

 

Most roofs are supposed to be able to handle the weight of about 3 layers of shingle.  3 layers makes for a very heavy roof and can bow the ridge board creating a rather expensive repair.  Check the roof to see how many layers of shingle are currently on it.  1 is best, 2 is OK, 3 means that it will eventually have to be removed to replace it with another layer, adding to the cost of your roof replacement. 

 

Termites, left to their own devices, can cause tremendous damage over time.  While most Long Beach homes require a moderate amount of termite work done during the escrow process, occasionally a home will have a tremendous amount of damage and the costs can skyrocket.  Termite work is usually the responsibility of the seller contractually.  Sometimes the seller will place a financial cap on how much work they are willing to do, if the buyer accepts this during the negotiation process they will be contractually obligated to complete the work themselves. Smart homeowners have annual contracts with a pest control company to keep the little buggers under control. 

 

Many bank owned properties are refusing to do termite inspections and work.  It is advisable to have a termite inspection during your contingency period to assure yourself that the home is sound and the work will not have astronomical costs attached to it after purchase. 

Foundation issues are usually deal breakers.  If an entire foundation needs to be replaced the estimated costs are usually so high the seller will refuse and the buyer will decline.   If you discover foundation problems, you absolutely should get 3 estimates for the work.  You may be shocked at how far apart the estimates can be.  Some years ago I saw 3 estimates for the same foundation replacement come in at about $20k, $35k and $52k, it can be confusing and it can make people very angry.   Most buyers are not equipped to handle this level of problem. 

 

Some cracks in foundations are easily repaired with a liquid epoxy.  The problems are not always major.  Foundation problems can sometimes be detected by a noticeable tilt of the floors. Large cracks can be an indicator of stress to a particular area of the foundation.

 

A sagging in a particular area of the home could indicate that a post needs to be replaced under the home.  This is not as major of a job as one would think, and is fairly reasonable to correct. 

 

Heaters must work, most lenders will not fund a loan without an operating heating system. 

I recently showed a very nice home to a buyer client.  The home was in very good condition and showed really well.  The seller happened to be home and was very forthcoming with information about the house.  She has lived in it for 25 years, having purchased it from a very handy gentleman years before.  The prior owner added on a large master bedroom and bath, the work was quality.  It seems that he also delivered the house with a new roof and 15 year old plumbing.  The electric had not been a problem, so it had not been upgraded.  The kitchen, while nice, was in need of a remodel.

 

Having informed us that she had lived in the home for 25 years repair free, we now knew that just about everything in the home was nearing the end of its useful life and would need to be replaced over the next few years.  As nice as the home was, the potential investment in it over the first few years was too high, even at a reduced selling price. 

There is much to consider when purchasing a home.  Most buyers in today's real estate market do not have the money to handle expensive upgrades and/or repairs after purchase.  Smart sellers are putting their homes into tip top condition prior to listing their Long Beach homes on today's real estate market.  These homes are experiencing multiple offers and are selling very fast.  There just are not very many of them available.  Other Long Beach homes continue to sit on the real estate market because the buyers know they will not be able to do the work after purchase. 

Buying Long Beach homes requires a great deal of investigation and knowledge.  It is easy to overlook potentially expensive repairs that are just a short way down the road.  This is one of the many reasons it pays to hire a knowledgeable "Long Beach Realtor®" to protect your interests when you are shopping for "Long Beach Real Estate".

 

Contact Laurie to begin the search for your new home

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/009134

Redesign or Home Stage Your Long Beach Homes

 

In today's buyers market, now, more than ever, Home Staging or Redesign is an absolute must! This includes homeowners who are still in their Long Beach homes as well as vacant homes.  The Long Beach real estate market includes a multitude of homes that have not been cared for. Some homes have been served a Notice of Default or have gone through the foreclosure process. The information and photos of these homes are often misleading to buyers since it's based on what the home looked like months ago.  If you need to sell your home in this market a home stager can help you sell your Long Beach home!

De-cluttering, cleaning and furnishings are basically what home staging and redesign are all about. Some Long Beach homes are so cluttered with stuff, that it's time to learn about getting organized.  Contact NAPO for a professional organizer in your area, or get a book on organizing, home staging, painting, or design; there are many to choose from.

You can start with your curb appeal; making sure your lawn, shrubs and flowers are all neatly trimmed.  Paint your front door and create an inviting entrance.  Counters inside should be cleaned off, remove furniture that is not necessary, use your dining table without the leaf and only 4 chairs, organize closets and add plants and flowers.  Create a focal point in each room, and de-clutter.  I can't say it enough; clutter is the biggest challenge for a redesign expert. 

If you don't have the time, energy, or desire home stage or redesign yourself, call a home stager.  Some home stagers will redesign, others will not.  Our redesign report lists suggestions of what to take down, remove or pack away, furniture layout, tips on hanging pictures, the importance of light, how color in your rooms affect your mood and many more ideas. After you review the detailed report contact your Long Beach home stager to set up another day to complete the redesign.

The cost of hiring a company to stage your home ranges from $1,800 to $3,800 but can also go much higher.  Check with your Long Beach Home Stager for pricing. The price, size and location play a big part in the cost.

Diane Concialdi

DC Redesign  

714.815.3506

Read also: 

• Redesign Home Staging for Your Long Beach Homes
• Long Beach Home Staging-Define Your Long Beach Homes with Color
• Staging Your Long Beach Homes
• Stage YOUR Long Beach Home to Sell
• Selling YOUR Long Beach Home - It' Tough Out There - Are YOU ready for this real estate market?
• Selling YOUR Downtown Long Beach Condos-State of the Market
• Remodeling Your Long Beach Home?
• Curb Appeal On A Budget
• Summer in Long Beach California - Reduce Your Energy Costs and Stay Cool
• Self-Healing Homes
• Why Stage Your Long Beach Home or Condo?
• Long Beach Backyards-Ponds and Nasty Swimming Pools
• Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodels
• Long Beach Home Bathroom Remodels

 

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/0062E7

Are your Granite Countertops "HOT"?

Granite Countertops are one of the top selling points for homes and condos.  In a recent article "Words that Sell Homes", it was disclosed that the word Granite was one of the 7 top words that help sell a home. When thinking about a Long Beach Home Kitchen Remodel, it is the Granite counter-top that is the finishing touch.  Will you go dark or light?  A lot of texture or more sedate? Domestic or Imported? Almost everybody loves granite countertops. 

 

Recently the NY Times published an article raising questions regarding harmful levels of radon gases being emited by the breadown of uranium in the many varieties of granite countertops.  Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.

 

Having read through many of the articles available on the internet most suggest that the countertops emitting the highest levels of radiation seem to be those imported from Brazil and Namibia.

 

The Marble Institute of America has said such claims are "ludicrous" because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.

 

If you have granite countertops and are concerned whether radon or radiation is a problem you can:

 

1. Contact the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (aarst.org). Testing costs between $100 and $300.
2. Find a certified technician at the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site at epa.gov/radon, as well as from state or regional indoor air environment offices, which can be found at epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html.
3. Radon test kits are available from the National Safety Council  (or call 1-800-SOS-RADON).  Some home improvement stores sell test kits.  To find a qualified testing or mitigation contractor, contact your state radon office or either of the national private radon programs.

 

Articles on the subject you might be interested in reading: 

 

• What's Lurking in Your Countertop? - NY Times
  
• Granite Countertops A Health Threat? - CBS News
  
• Radon in Granite
• Could your granite countertops be leaking radon gas?
• Granite Countertops & Radon Gas

 

http://www.longbeachrealestatehome.com/00912A