Photo courtesy brigdat.com

We often overlook the guestbaths, or powder rooms when updating an outdated home for staging.  Granted these are not rooms that you will want to put the bulk of your money into.  But if you have left-over pieces from your kitchen, it would be well worth it to use it on a vanity.  Any fabricator can cut it for you.

You can also visit granite wholesalers and find remnants to use, you can find these for around $100, you will not only impress potential buyers, but receive a greater ROI and ultimately have a perceived higher value.

Odors are a sellers worst enemy and a buyers biggest turn-off.  Read Deena Cottingham, from Green Apple Staging & Images great tips!

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Every real estate agent should read this blog by Valerie Saqheddu from Apostle Art Home Staging & Design. 

Stagers give referrals to real estate agents, that's pure profit for you, with 0 dollars spent. 

Just recommend stagers to your sellers for a home staging consultation, we then in return refer you when we have a client that doesn't have a real estate agent. 

It's that simple, and a win-win for all parties involved!

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Another informative blog by Sharon Tara from New Hampshire.  All home stagers are not alike, nor do they all offer the same service.  It is like comparing apples to oranges.

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An excellent post by collegue Sharon Tara of New Hampshire, of Sara Tara Transformations on "The Secret to a Successful Sale.

                                   The home that was torn down.  Photo talk of the bay.

What a story this family has, 15 total family members, 13 of which were living in a travel trailer after Hurricane Ike damaged their homes roof, making it collapse.  They have 4 biological children, the rest are Foster children some that are special needs kids, they've adopted, and want to adopt more.  Fema provided two trailers, but took them away a few months ago.  How they've lived like this, I can't even fathom.  They were nominated, and the TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition, made their way to Kemah, TX to give them the news, that they were the deserving family that would be getting a brand new home.

                                 Empty lot without house. Photo talk of the bay.

The Beach family was on their way to Disney World after the "knock on the door".  The crews didn't waste any time Friday, they cleared out their lot of trees and starting demo on the house, cleared the debris and brought in what I heard to be 16 loads of dirt to raise up the lot for the foundation.  They were still bringing in dirt when I left at 9pm.  They had just brought in a crew of concrete people around 8pm, and I was told the foundation would be laid at around 3am.  They then started framing the house Saturday, all within 24 hours of when they started.  It was like watching fast forward in real life.

We also had the coldest weekend ever here, in the 20's that night.

They were framing it out yesterday and I heard they were finished around 1am.  The windows and roof were suppose to be done by Sunday night.

I will blog with updates, but what an amazing experience to be a part of, I can't wait to see the progress next week.  I worked the first real day to work, and carried plywood, 2 X 4's and help build a walkway for the public and spectators to watch.  I also helped with the flooring in the VIP tent, and even carried Lime bags away, I felt like a real construction worker, ok, maybe not, but we had fun pretending! 

The episode is scheduled to air in March, and the "Move the Bus" reveal is January the 14th.  I won't reveal much, but I can tell you the family will come home to an absolute "Dream Home". 

A truly rewarding experience!

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Vinegar has been used for cleaning for years.  It is a safe, non-toxic cleaning aid.  Many people use it to clean their kitchens and bathrooms.  I've seen this used and wondered how effective it was at killing germs, bacteria, or disinfecting. 

Some households swear by it, and I'm not saying it doesn't clean, but does it disinfect?  I wouldn't feel comfortable using it on a cutting board where I'd just had raw chicken.

Many businesses are using vinegar now to clean thier restrooms and kitchens.  I don't feel quite comfortable with this practice.

But I'm not finding any studies that are conclusive with scientific evidence that states it is a disinfectant. 

There are articles all over the web quoting Michael Mullen of Heinz, but I couldn't find the origination of this from Heinz.  Heinz (they make vinegar) spokesperson Michael Mullen states that a straight 5% solution of vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of germs (viruses).  However, he also states Heinz can't claim that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the EPA

Heloise claims it does, but still no scientific evidence, she wants to write a book about it.  Seems this has been a question for many years.  Read Heloise 48 interview here.

The Vinegar Institute doesn't make any claims, only that it deodorizes.

I did come across this study from the researchers at The University of North Carolina.  It stated the commercial products killed almost all of the germs.  The natural altenatives, vinegar and baking soda, paled in comparison, killing 90% or less of the germs.  Well, maybe I have my anwer after all!

One study stated a solution of vinegar and bleach was effective in killing germs.  Of course it would, bleach was used!

Vinegar can be used for 100's of things, but I will stick to a disinfectant to sanitize my kitchen where raw poultry, meats or eggs have been especially in the bathrooms.  You don't have to use straight bleach and inhale the fumes, use the disinfectant wipes instead.

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List of official Holidays in the state of Texas.  State offices will be closed, partially staffed or optional (as noted).

• Friday  January 1  New Year's Day
• Tuesday January 19  Confederate Heros Day (Partial Staffing)
• Monday   January 18  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Tuesday  March 2  Texas Independence Day (Partial Staffing)
• Wednesday  March 31  Cesar Chavez Day (Optional Holiday)
• Wednesday  March 21  San Jacinto Day (Partial Staffing)
• Monday  May 31  Memorial Day
• June 19  Emancipation Day In Texas (Partial Staffing)
• Monday  July 5  Independence Day
• Friday  August 27  Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (Partial Staffing)
• Wednesday  September 8  Rosh Hashanah  (Optional Holiday)
• Monday  September 6  Labor Day
• Friday  September 17  Rosh Hashanah (Optional Holiday)
• Monday  October 11  Columbus Day
• Thurdsay  November 11  Veterans Day
• Thursday November 25 Thanksgiving
• Saturday  December 25  Christmas Day

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Want to know what the hottest paint color trends for decorating in 2010 will be? 

The experts from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and the Pantone-Institute weigh in with their favorites.

Yellow, will be pumped up to brighter more vibrant hues, much bolder than before.

• Gold will still be popular.
• Sage colors will not be as popular and we will see more yellow green.
• Grays will overtake browns in the neutral family.
• Aquas have been popular and will continue to be a favorite that mixes nicely with browns.
• One of the newer colors will be lavender, which is being used for bedrooms evoking elegance, warmth and comfort.
• Blue, will make a comeback.
• A darker shade of red with purple and blue undertones.

                Pantones Color of The Year 2010 is Turquoise 15-5519 TCX

                             Photo provided by Pantone 

*These are not favorites or recomended for Home Staging  ; )

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If you still have a house for sale in this market, and haven't staged or thought about staging it, why not?

Houston has a large inventory of houses for sale in most all areas.  If your house is priced right and the condition and location are on track, then what is the problem? 

If you don't know, then why not get a professional opinion on your home and see how it comes across to potential buyers.  It may be something simple that can be easily remedied.  Homeowners can't objectively evaluate thier own homes...we all have a connection to it at some level. 

As professional stagers we don't have that connection, but are sensitive and aware of how difficult it is to move.  If you would like home staging advice, recomendations and tips give us a call for a home staging consultation today!

Redesign Etc. Home Staging

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May the Year 2010 bring for you Health, Happiness and Sucess filled with Peace, Hope & togetherness of your family & friends...Wishing You A Very Happy 2010!

Famous Quotes for The New Year:

Ann Landers
Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear, and with a manly heart.

Henry Ward Beecher
Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

                              May all of the blessings of the Christmas season fill you with joy. 

      We at Redesign Etc. Home Staging wish you and your family a very "Merry Christmas". 

                  Some sparkle and glitz from Tiffany & Co. Christmas window in NYC 2009.

                                                                       Cindy Bryant

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For a limited time we will be offering a one-time New Years special.  A "Home Staging Consultation" walk and talk for $135 for 2 hours from curb to back fence and all areas in between.  One suggestion or recommendation, that we make could net you hundreds or even $1000's on your ROI (Return On Investment).  A small price to pay to have the shining star in your neighborhood.

Book now, available dates: Week of Jan 11 & 18 / Jan. 23-28 are not available.

*Galveston Island & Tiki Island only.

Book your interior redesign now and save big.  A redesign is when we visit your home, and give you a one day mini-makeover, using your existing furnishings.  What a difference this makes, we are able to re- purpose and use items that you may have had in your closet for years, loved it, but just didn't know what to do with it.  Let us show you creative ways we can change the look of your rooms and home, by rearranging, and using rooms in ways you hadn't thought of.  Our clients love this service, it's no cost decorating. 

It's also great for merging households, singles, empty-nesters, newly moved and people that have downsized or just want a fresh new look.

We love it, and so will you, after all that's what we built our companies premise on years ago!

For the  month of January we will offer a one-time special 3 hour interior redesign for $250.

Book now, available dates left are January 11th through the end of the month.

Offer applies to the following areas: The Heights, Midtown, Montrose, Bellaire, Memorial area, Galleria area, River Oaks and surrounding areas. 

Christmas is only days away, and New Years will shortly follow. 

If you are planning on listing your house for the spring selling season now is the time to start getting it in tip top shape.  In this market, it is a necessity to have your home tastefully and properly staged by professional stagers. 

You want buyers to remember your home as the home that made them feel like they wanted to sit down on the sofa  and relax, or even picture themselves with friends entertaining, a place they could proudly call home.  

What makes the difference between your house and another one?  Appeal. 

You don't want your home to be known for the brightly colored walls with buyers referring to it as the "Rainbow House".  And yes, buyers will name houses for a features good or bad to help them remember a house.  Wouldn't you rather be known as the "We really loved this one" house?

For a limited time we will be offering a one-time New Years special.  A "Home Staging Consultation" walk and talk for $135 for 2 hours from curb to back fence and all areas in between. 

One suggestion or recommendation, that we make could net you hundreds or even $1000's on your ROI (Return On Investment).  A small price to pay to have the shining star in your neighborhood.

*For the month of January in The Heights, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Piney Point, Memorial Park area, Montrose, and surrounding some surrounding areas.

Book now, available dates left are January 11th through the end of the month.

Book your interior redesign now and save big.  An interior redesign is when we visit your home, and give you a one day mini-makeover, using your existing furnishings and accessories.  What a difference this makes, we are able to re-purpose and use items that you may have had in your closet for years, loved it, but just didn't know what to do with it.  Let us show you creative ways we can change the look of your rooms and home, by rearranging, and using rooms in ways you hadn't thought of.  Our clients love this service, it's no cost decorating (not items to buy, because you already have them).

It's also great for merging households, singles, empty-nesters, and people that have downsized or just want a fresh new look.

It's speed decorating, we love it, and so will you, after all, that's what we built our companies premise on years ago!

For the  month of January will will offer a one-time special redesign flat fee for 3 hours for $250.

Offer only valid in certain locations:  League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Pearland, Seabrook, Kemah, Nassau Bay and surrounding areas.

Lets talk Garages.  Some tips and thoughts on your garage when selling.  Bottom line, keep them empty, clear and clean.

If your car drips oil, fill a pan with cat litter and set it under the drip.  Then try and clean any grease stains.  You can also use a piece of foil on cardboard for a temporary drip pan.

Clean up oil and grease stains in the garage by applying paint thinner, then covering them with cat litter, dry cement, or sand, and letting the absorbent remain on the sopt overnight.  Sweep up the absorbent material and repeat the process if you have to.

You can also try baking soda.  Just sprinkle, let sit, sweep and see if that works.

Bleach at full strength may work or tsp (found at home depot or lowes) can be used.

If you must store items, try using the top of your garage by hanging things from the ceiling, or install shelving across ceiling joists with wood shelves.

Hang anything you can on the sides of the garage, better on the walls than on the floor.

If possible rent at the very least a small storage unit to store as much as you can.

After the floor is clean and cleared up try a nice garage concrete paint. They also make a paint with a rubberized small fleck.  Either will be a big improvement, and will give your garage a very well maintained look.

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Here are some basic safety and security tips while you are away for the Holidays.  If you can find a friend or neighbor to house sit that is always the best, but if not here are some simple things to do.

Put a hold on your mail by contacting the USPS.com and filling out a hold mail form online.

Use an automatic light timer programmed to go on and off at various times of the night.  You can also program your radio or tv to turn on and off at night.

Put a hold on the newspaper.

Ask a neighbor to watch your front porch for any deliveries or have them delivered to your office.

Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.

Make sure all windows and doors are locked.  Use the manual lock on your garage, most people don't realize that is the only real way to secure your garage.

Alert a neighbor that you will be gone, and make sure they know how to work your alarm.  It doesn't hurt to give them an extra key in case of an emergency.

Unplug all unnecessary appliances.

A neighbor can also water any indoor plants or feed fish.

Lock away all personal and financial documents (ones with account numbers).

Store jewelry in a safe if you have one, along with the documents.

Put a pair of mens tennis shoes by the back door (Big Ones!).  I learned this tip a long time ago.  Especially, if you're single, do it year round for that matter.  It gives the impression that a man lives there.

Make sure your lawn and bushes are manicured, whether is hot or cold, pay a teen to shovel a trail to your door to make it look like it's being used.

Padlock all gates.

If you live in a two story, close blinds downstairs, and open the ones upstairs.

Don't post plans on Social Networks.

Set an out-of-office reply, not one that says you're on vacation.

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Realtor Jeremy Williams, Realty NE has given Sellers 7 Reasons to list their homes during our Holiday Season.  This is a great time to get a peak into what your Chirstmas season can look like with most occupied houses being decorated at this time.

This not only applies to Houston but in all markets!

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Why List Your Home Now

1.  There are fewer homes on the market during the holiday season, so you have less competition.

2.  Homes show better during the holidays with all the decorations, sweet aromas, and presents under the tree.

3.  Many people are in the process of relocating to the Houston, Texas area for jobs.  This transition time often happens in the month of December.

4.  If a buyer is looking for a home during the holiday season, you can be sure that this buyer is motivated.  Spring time is when many buyers begin their home search.  Your Spring time buyers can spend up to 6 months to find a home.  The motivated home buyer searching during the holiday season will locate a home much faster.

5.  A buyer that purchases prior to the end of 2009 will be able to homestead the house in January and greatly reduce their 2010 property taxes.

6.  Home prices in Houston, TX are on the rise.  Record prices last month...but still the most affordable big city in the United States.

7.  The federal tax credit for first time home buyers has been extended, and the federal government is now offering a tax credit to repeat buyers.  This should increase the number of buyers that would otherwise not be shopping for a home.

While on the surface this might not seem like the time of year to place your home on the market, for these 7 reasons you might reconsider.  For more information about the real estate services provided by Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE, visit www.williams4yourhome.com.

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Information Provided By:

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE specializes in residential real estate in the northeast Houston area including KingwoodTX, Atascocita TX, Humble TX, Fall Creek, Summerwood, and Eagle Springs, and International properties. Whether buying or selling a home, see why clients have chosen to trust Jeremy with their real estate needs. To learn more about the real estate services Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams offers his clients and customers, visit http://www.williams4yourhome.com/ or read more at Jeremy's Active Rainblog. Utilize the searches below to see what is happening in your neighborhood, or search for your next dream home. 

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Perception or Reality? How do you operate your business?

It's hard to imagine it now, but Christmas is only 26 days away, "New Years" will shortly follow, and then it will be "Spring Break".  Or the beginning of the selling season.  This is typically when homeowners list or re-list their homes in hopes of buyers striking while the iron is hot.   Competition is the toughest.  Everyone has to have their homes in show ready condition to intrigue buyers that have a multitude of choices.  Especially older homes, or homes that are just a few years old that are competing against the brand new homes with all kinds of incentives and upgrades. 

I see houses on the MLS system that have been on the market for months, even over a year.  The houses don't look that bad from the outside, so what is the problem?  I then click on the photos, and there is my answer.  The inside has absolutely nothing appealing or interesting about it.  Just another track home that looks like every other house in it's master planned community.   It is either empty, stark, and plain vanilla, or the furniture and decorating is distracting from any features the house might have.  From mismatched outdated furniture, bad paint choices, or akward furniture placement and use of rooms. 

I've seen some beautiful homes in Houston, that I've admired in certain neighborhoods, and have jokingly said, when that house goes up for sale, I'm buying it sight unseen!  Well, one of my favorite houses did go up for sale, and I looked at the internet photos.  I couldn't believe it, here was this gorgeous home on the outside, beautiful architecture, perfectly manicured, picture perfect.  I then looked at the inside and thought this can't be the same house.  Unfortunately it was, and the inside got left behind in the 60's, and the house was not that old.  It was the way it had been finished out, not attractive at all.  It would have to be updated if you could picture in your mind what it would look like, most people can't.    How many times have you seen a beautiful home only to be disappointed in the interior.  For most people it will be a deal killer, and they won't bother to even look at a house in person.

That is where home staging comes in.  All of these homes could benefit from some form of home staging, whether it be furniture placement, and re-purposing of items from other rooms, fresh paint colors, some new updated pieces brought in, new furniture and accessories in certain areas or just room by room recommendations. 

If you are selling your home it probably means you will be looking to buy one as well.  When you are looking at internet photos of houses to buy, remember, someone else is looking at the home you are trying to sell on the internet...What impression are they going to have?  Don't give them a reason to move on to the next house...make them want to see yours first!

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