Does your Vacation Rental Stand Out From the Crowd Online?

My vacation rental, Arctic Paradise B&B,  is in Seward, Alaska, a place that is unbelievably beautiful and everyone wants to come on their once in a lifetime Alaska vacation.

And so, our market here is saturated with Bed and Breakfasts and other vacation rentals.  The season here is about 100 days, so if you have a rental, you want to make sure it is booked every one of those days!

“The market here has become so saturated” said Nicole Lawrence of Seward Properties on a recent interview I did with her on Seward Public Radio’s Market Minute show. “There are so many people doing nightly rentals now. And especially the smaller places. At some point, when you are a customer traveling and checking vacation rental sites such as Airbnb or VRBO, all the vacation rentals start to look the same. There is a bed, there is a kitchen table. People don’t always put a lot of thought and personal choices into decorating their B&B. So it becomes really impersonal. They all start to blend together and at some point you just start looking for the best deal because everything just looks the same”.

So, unless you plan to just compete on price and offer the lowest rates, how do you get the bookings and income you want? And, more importantly, how do you get your ideal customers? They may not be the ones looking for the cheapest price. And you want to get people that will work with your situation, whether the Bed and Breakfast is in your house where you live or in a separate property in a residential area where the neighbors may be impacted if guests are noisy.

“For you, your guests are in your house where you live and interact with them daily. Some of my rentals are above my office, where of course I want guests that are respectful and quiet” said Nicole.

“I heard you talk about this to a group of people before and thought it was really interesting, on how you can attract the type of guests you want and how you can increase your income and bookings” said Nicole. “What kind of tips can you give us on that?”

I have written several articles on this topic such as  “Increase your vacation rental income and bookings with home staging”, and “Attract your ideal customer and increase your Bed and Breakfast Income with Home Staging”, and taught several workshops to vacation rental owners on this topic.  I used these tips on my own property, and was able to at least double my income and bookings; I raised my prices and am attracting my ideal customers most of the time! I learned these concepts from my home staging business, where similar concepts help sell homes. To hear the radio interview of the show with all the details, you can listen here.

Here are five tips to help you get started.

Who are you?

Figuring out what makes you and your rental unique and what you have to offer is the key. This is called “branding”. In home staging, we try to do this with the house…figure out what is special and unique about it and highlight that for buyers. So consider:
• What makes you special?
• What makes your rental special?
• What are the things that only you and your rental can offer?

Your ideal customer will be attracted to you and your rental if you let them know who you really are and what you offer. Figuring out your “brand”  will help direct the way you update the look of your property, how you portray what you are offering on your website and in your advertising and help your Ideal Customer find you.

For example, I am a retired wildlife biologist, an artist that creates stained glass, jewelry and alcohol ink art,  a dancer and musician. I sell my art at my B&B and I also offer private lessons in music, art and dance as part of the experience for guests that want to explore their creative side. My decor has a wildlife theme and I display my art in the room and in my website photos. My ideal customers, call all the time and say, “I love your website because”, and then they mention one of these things.

What do you want?

How much do you want to make and how much do you want to work?
Answering this will help you determine your prices and what you need to do to justify those prices.

I decided I wanted to make more and work less! I would rather have higher prices and less bookings than get bookings because my place was one of the cheapest.

Who is your Ideal Customer and what do they want?

Specific customers are going to be attracted to the brand you project. Is your brand attracting your ideal customer?

• Who is your ideal customer?
• What kind of place do they want to stay in? Do they want luxury or a more rustic experience?
• What activities do they want to participate in? Do you offer them or can you help them find those activities nearby?

I wanted retired professionals with money to spend on a little luxury while still wanting to go on outdoor adventures such as wildlife viewing. I also wanted to attract people that appreciated art, music and dance and might be interested in exploring their creative side while traveling or purchasing one of a kind local art.

Update your Vacation Rental to Appeal to your Ideal Customer

• Does the current look of your vacation rental appeal to that ideal customer?
• Does the current look of your vacation rental justify the price you are charging in the eyes of your ideal customer?
• Home stage it! Home Staging can update the look of your rental to reflect your “brand”, appeal to your ideal customer and justify the price you want to charge.

Here is an example of my Bed and Breakfast before and after home staging. Before, it did not reflect my brand or justify the price I wished. I was not attracting my ideal customers. Instead, I was attracting those looking for a cheaper price. After staging, I raised my prices substantially, and at least doubled my income and bookings.

Market your Property to attract your Ideal Customer

Market your property with great design to attract your ideal customer.

• Get professional photos of your beautifully staged rental property.
• Highlight your brand and what makes you and your property unique at the top of your home page.
•  Use your photos on social media them to create a great video.

I hired a professional photographer to get photos that highlighted my branding and updated my website and descriptions to reflect that.

If you would like help determining your brand, updating the look of your property to reflect that brand, updating your website, creating video, social media advertising or any of the five steps above, let me know! Start taking steps today to make a huge difference with your vacation rental.

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Did you know that you can increase your vacation rental income and bookings with home staging?

Home staging highlights the positive and downplays the negative aspects of homes for sale. A professional stager creates a look and atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with and they want to buy through decorating and market research. It’s the emotional connection that cinches the deal. Sellers then market their properties to attract buyers online with great photos of their beautifully staged home.

The same principles work with vacation rental properties such as Bed and Breakfasts, and other rental units.

“Whether you have investments in multiple apartment buildings, a few vacation properties or a single apartment in your basement, you can’t afford to have vacancies” says internationally recognized home stager Debra Gould, the Staging Diva.

“As a landlord, have you considered hiring a professional home stager to enhance the appeal of your rental units? If you have a property to rent, you should make a call to an expert home stager as soon as a tenant vacates the premises” says Gould in her article “Home Staging Boosts Demand for Rental Properties”.

After deciding who your ideal customer is, Home Staging can update the look of your rental to reflect your brand, appeal to your ideal customer and justify the price you want to charge.

Staging helps you get great photos for your online advertising that attract your ideal guests, increase your rental price and get more bookings.

Staging works for Bed and Breakfasts, vacation rentals and other rental properties. For more information on Bed and Breakfasts, check out my article, “Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase Your Bed and Breakfast Income”.

I staged this property that had been a rental unit for the owner to sell. After listing it, they realized they could make more money by keeping it as a rental and used the staging and great photos to increase their income and bookings instead. After listing it on Airbnb and other sites, it created a buzz and generated more interest than other neighboring properties in the same area, increasing their rental price, income and bookings from what it had previously brought in as a rental unit before staging.

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Increase Your Vacation Rental Income And Bookings Today

I can help you make it happen. Start with a Vacation Rental consultation.

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One thing I love about Alaska home staging is that it is a win-win proposal for all involved.

Staging is a Win-Win for Home Sellers

For home sellers, a modest investment in home staging can be transformative. It not only elevates your property’s aesthetic appeal but also gives you a competitive edge in the market. The result? A quicker sale at a potentially higher price. Think of it as turning your house into the market’s standout star. Plus, you can typically deduct your home stager’s fees as advertising expenses during the sale, further enhancing your return on investment. Opting for staging could save you more than what you might concede in an initial price drop. It’s a strategic move for a clear WIN!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Home Buyers

If you are a home buyer, home staging helps you see the real potential for the property. It helps you look past the clutter, crazy wall colors and the other person’s stuff, and see how you could live there, how your furniture and belongings could fit in the space.

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Realtors

As a realtor, impeccable listing photos can be your competitive edge. With professional staging, your properties will shine during showings and open houses, potentially accelerating sales and, consequently, your commission rate. Not only that, a home stager can handle those challenging conversations with sellers about decluttering, addressing odors, and making necessary repairs. This lets you focus on your primary skill: selling homes. Typically, the seller covers the staging costs, so it’s an advantage without the added expense. By enhancing the home’s appeal, you’re helping potential buyers visualize its value effortlessly. It’s a strategic advantage that leads to a win-win situation!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Landlords

If you are a landlord, home staging can boost the demand for your rental property by making it look great! This will provide great photos to generate interest in your rental so you rent your place faster and for a higher rental price while attracting your ideal renters! You will make back your investment in no time with a higher rental price and make more money in the future. WIN!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Vacation Rental Owners

If you own a vacation rental such as a home or a Bed and Breakfast, the same is true. Increase your income and bookings, raise your prices and attract your ideal customer with a great looking property with home staging. WIN!

Home Staging is a Win-Win for House- Flippers and Real Estate Investors

Is your business buying and selling real estate? Buying homes and fixing them up for re-sale? Home staging helps your buyers visualize a home they can see themselves living in by furnishing and decorating it so you can sell quickly. After all that hard work and investment, get your money back now and get the most for your investment.  

Home Staging is a Win-Win for Home Stagers

If you are a home stager, you can feed your creative passion, help people make more money on their houses, help them sell fast when they may be going through trying times like divorce, job changes, parents dying or many of the stressful reasons people sell. You get to make money doing what you love and when the house sells, everyone is happy! WIN!

It is often hard to find situations that are win-win for all involved. This is a no-brainer. Everyone gets what they want.  What are you waiting for?   Why not try one of my online home staging services or call me for local, in- person staging services.

Home Staging Service

Are you ready for a win? It all starts with a consultation.  Call today.907-362-0065.

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Make More on Your Home Sale with the Right Paint Colors

Updated for 2023. Studies show some colors in specific rooms,  increased the sales price in homes. Why? Color affects emotion and buyers buy on emotion!  This report gives you six specific color recommendations per room to help sell your house for more based on study results, top paint sales and professional experience. Mary Ann Benoit is a certified color expert and color strategist and professional home stager. Download now. Price: $4.99.

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Would you like to attract your ideal customer and increase your vacation rental income? Whether you have a Bed and Breakfast or other vacation rental, it is important to have your property stand out online to attract the guests you want and make the income you want. Learn more by listening to this interview with Mary Ann Benoit on Seward Public Radio’s “Market Minute” with Nicole Lawrence.

For additional information, see my blog articles on  Increasing your Vacation Rental Income and Bookings with Home Staging and Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase your Bed and Breakfast income with Home Staging.  You may also like my latest article, Time to Up Your Game at Your Vacation Rental.

These five tips can dramatically increase your Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental income and bookings and attract your ideal guests! I used home staging to make a huge difference at my own B&B and at least doubled my income and bookings. Now my branding attracts guests I love to have stay. Report includes video examples.   Download your report now. Price: $4.99.

Get Your Vacation Rental Staging or Design Consultation Today

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Boost Your Bed and Breakfast Revenue with the Magic of Home Staging!

Drawing from my dual experience as a home stager/designer and a Bed and Breakfast owner, I’ve harnessed the power of home staging to elevate my B&B’s appeal and increase revenue, targeting the perfect guests. Initially, when I ventured into the B&B business, I wasn’t equipped with the knowledge of home staging. However, once I integrated the home staging techniques and paired them with savvy social media marketing, I saw transformative results!

Home staging isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting a space where potential buyers form an emotional bond, often becoming the determining factor in their purchase decision. This concept isn’t restricted to homes on sale. When applied to vacation rentals or B&Bs, the results can be equally compelling. By emphasizing a property’s strengths and mitigating its weaknesses, we can create an inviting ambiance that resonates with potential guests.

Want to amplify your vacation rental’s allure? Here are some insights to harness the principles of home staging, paving the way for enhanced guest experiences and increased bookings

Who are you?

Discovering and highlighting your rental’s unique essence, or ‘branding’, is the cornerstone to attracting your ideal guest. In home staging, the goal is to spotlight a property’s distinct charm and features, making it irresistible to potential buyers. Apply the same approach to your rental:

• Identify your distinctive traits. • Pinpoint what sets your rental apart. • Define the exclusive experiences and comforts your rental provides. • Craft a statement encapsulating the unique character of both you and your rental.

By genuinely showcasing who you are and the exclusive experiences your rental offers, you will naturally magnetize your perfect guests. Defining and embracing your ‘brand’ will guide your property’s aesthetic updates, refine your online portrayal, and ensure your marketing connects with those ideal guests

What do you want?

What’s your financial goal, and how much effort are you willing to invest to achieve it? Your answers hold the key to setting your pricing strategy and defining your business approach. Consider this:

Do you aspire to be the ‘Walmart of Bed and Breakfasts,’ vying for business by offering the lowest rates? Alternatively, would you prefer to command higher prices, allowing you to work less while delivering a top-tier guest experience?

These questions aren’t just about pricing; they shape your entire business model and the level of service you provide.

Who is your Ideal Customer and what do they want?

Your brand has a magnetic pull on specific customers. Is your brand magnetizing your ideal guest?

1. Determine your ideal guest profile: Are they avid fishermen, families seeking adventure, or retired couples seeking relaxation?
2. Craft the experience they desire: Do they crave luxury or the rustic charm of your property?
3. Cater to their interests: Offer or facilitate the activities they seek, enhancing their stay and leaving a lasting impression

Update your Vacation Rental to Appeal to your Ideal Customer

1. Does your vacation rental’s current aesthetic resonate with your ideal guest? Moreover, does its design validate the pricing in their eyes?

   Home staging is the key to refining your rental’s appearance, aligning it with your brand, captivating your perfect guest, and supporting your desired rate. Consider my personal experience: through home staging, I not only amplified my brand’s allure but also increased my nightly rate and saw a 200% surge in bookings.

   Below, witness the transformation: a before-and-after showcase of my space post home staging and design.

Market your Property to attract your Ideal Customer

• Showcase your impeccably staged rental with high-quality photographs. Refresh your website, ensuring your brand and property’s unique features take center stage on the homepage. Transform your photos into an engaging video tour. Promote your one-of-a-kind property across:
  • Social media, starting with a dedicated Facebook page.
  • Renowned vacation rental platforms.
  • Your local Chamber of Commerce.

  Take a look at the video I curated using photographs post-staging, capturing my brand essence and targeting my ideal clientele. I prominently featured this video and fresh images on my website’s homepage and a business-centric Facebook page. Can you pinpoint my brand essence and identify the ideal customer I’m targeting? Given the choice, which representation of my B&B resonates more with you – before or after staging?

Ready to Bring Your Bed and Breakfast to the next Level?

Get your online vacation rental staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

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What message does your home’s color broadcast to the world? Every facade tells a story about its inhabitants. Is your home a reflection of your personality? Does it uplift your spirits daily? Does it warmly welcome guests or potential clients for those with home businesses? And if you’re selling, does your home appeal to prospective buyers? The hue of your home reveals hints of your identity.

When it comes time to paint the exterior, you have a lot of options and some limitations you need to consider.

Limitations when Picking Paint Colors

Let’s start with the limitations. Just as with the interior, you need to consider the “fixed finishes”, the things which rarely change like the roof or stone features. Your wall and trim colors should complement these fixed finishes and each other.

Consider your Environment

Consider your surroundings when choosing colors. Ensure they complement your landscape and local views, and fit within the neighborhood’s color palette. While a vibrant hue might stand out in a neutral area, it could blend perfectly in a more colorful neighborhood.

Consider Guests and Clients

Do you run a business from your house, such as a vacation rental? What image will the colors project to your customers? Is it consistent with your brand? You may be using photos of your house to attract customers online. Will the photos attract your ideal customer?

Selling your Home? Consider the Buyer

Are you selling the home? Consider more neutral shades to appeal to a broader audience. However, a standout front door color can make it memorable and can be easily changed if the buyer prefers.

Make a Statement with your Front Door Color

Your front door color sets the tone for your home. Even neutral homes can pop with a vibrant door. Everyone perceives and feels about colors differently. Consider what emotions a color evokes for you. Do you want your home to relax, uplift, or energize you? Choose colors that reflect your desired ambiance.

Consider how Color Affects Your Home’s Comfort

The colors you choose can impact costs and practical factors. Dark colors might need more paint layers if covering a light base and can absorb more heat, potentially making deck areas too warm in the sun.

Consider how Color can Affect Your Home Based Business

I provided a color consultation for a Bed and Breakfast located in a residential area. The aim was to design a welcoming exterior that resonated with the mountainous and oceanic surroundings and blended with the neighborhood’s mix of homes. The garden was dominated by colorful flowers, especially fuchsia rose bushes. The house had a blue roof and no other fixed elements. I had previously enhanced the interior of this B&B, which increased their bookings and revenue. The target clientele were retired professionals keen on outdoor adventures, wildlife, bird-watching, and art. The brand was vibrant, luxurious yet earthy with a coastal style, reflecting its proximity to the ocean.

A rich teal (Sherwin Williams Moscow Midnight) was chosen for the walls to complement the roof, nearby mountains, ocean, and the neighborhood’s blue-toned homes. This deep shade enhanced the garden’s vibrant flower colors and matched the local greenery.

The trim was painted a warm white (Sherwin Williams Alabaster) to accentuate the teal and echo the natural hues of clouds and snowy peaks. The cedar trim and decks were transformed from their natural color to white for a more cohesive look and to ensure the upper deck remained cooler. This white backdrop makes colorful outdoor furniture and plants stand out, creating a peaceful retreat.

The front and back doors were painted in Forward Fuchsia, echoing the roses outside and offering a welcoming and distinctive entrance.

A sign with a trim-colored background and wall-colored lettering was designed, featuring two fuchsia lines. This subtle sign complements the balcony and discreetly showcases the business name in the residential area. A white metal sculpture of sea gulls, aligning with the brand’s wildlife viewing theme, was placed near the home’s peak.

A new white screen door with full glass was added to showcase the vibrant fuchsia door. Its border features a distinct alcohol ink design, mirroring the door’s colors and emphasizing the brand’s artistic flair. The outdated brass doorknob was swapped for a stylish satin nickel one.

Feedback on the new look has been overwhelmingly positive, with descriptions such as “bright”, “cheerful”, “artistic”, and “the most charming B&B in Alaska”. This refreshing transformation has even inspired neighbors to consider updating their own homes, potentially revitalizing the entire neighborhood.

The harmonious trio of colors was meticulously chosen using both artistic intuition and color science, ensuring they complement each other perfectly. If you’re thinking of repainting, consider consulting a certified color strategist. Choose colors that truly resonate with you and leave a lasting impression on everyone who sees them.

Are you ready to paint your house?

Get a color consultation today and get your colors right the first time so you avoid making costly mistakes and really love the end result. I can work with you wherever you live with an online consultation. Learn more.

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Here is the crazy story of how I started Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

You never know when inspiration will hit. The question is, will you take action and do something about it?

My  inspiration came in a surprising way, from one of those silly “Facebook” quizzes. You know, one of those games that tell you who you were in a past life or what your handwriting says about you etc. One day I played “What is your true profession”. The answer was “Designer”. Whoa! This made me take a step back and think.

I had been working as a wildlife biologist for 25 years at the time, but back in 1980 had gone to school and gotten a B.A. in Interior Design. It was a passion I always had, but after getting my degree decided to pursue traveling and other interests. Life got in the way and I never did alot with it besides a few jobs, designing my own homes or helping friends.

Later, I pursued another degree in wildlife biology because I love animals and the outdoors, and took another path. Although I enjoyed it, I missed being involved in creative work. Working for the government did not encourage or inspire much creative thinking!

Over time, creative pursuits such as dance, music and art took on more importance in my life. Thoughts of starting another business (I already had a Bed and Breakfast) were in the back of my mind without a real idea of what it would be, just that I wanted something that would bring more fulfillment to my life.

When I got “Designer” as the answer to my true profession, I thought about that path not taken and wondered how my life would have turned out if I had chosen that path years ago. I do not know if it would have been the wiser choice, or if everything I had done was just preparing me for that path now, but something about that quiz totally spurred me to action! Why not now?

And so my business, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design was born on 11-20-2015.

And while I still worked as a wildlife biologist until December 2018 when I retired,  and continued to operate my B&B, I was thrilled to have this new adventure in my life and so glad I took action!!

My business started off focused on home staging, and evolved into adding Interior Design. With  my experience running a Bed and Breakfast, I added  vacation rental design and staging. I became more fascinated with color, and became a certified color strategist and added color consultations. That evolved into learning Edesign and adding online home staging, Interior design and color consulting.

On my first day of retirement from being a wildlife biologist on January 1, 2019,  I discovered fractal art and started creating my own art. Soon I created stores for my art and home decor on Society 6, and Pixels.com. Both stores include art a wide variety art and home decor products.

That evolved into creating wearable art on Le Galeriste.  

In each case, inspiration hit, I took action and I am amazed now at all twists and turns, new adventures in creativity and life that have evolved in less than 5 years from an idea inspired by a simple Facebook quiz.

Sometimes you just never know where your path will lead.

What inspires you and have you taken action?

Whether it is to start a new business, change your existing business, start a new path or hobby… I hope inspiration finds you and you jump in with both feet

Home staging is the art and science of decorating homes for sale. The purpose is to make an emotional connection with buyers so that you sell your home fast and for top dollar.  The principles of home staging also work for other spaces that you want people to make an emotional connection with. Whether you plan to sell or rent the space, home Staging is not just for homes!

The science of home staging includes finding the balance between appealing to the largest number of people and keeping it interesting enough to remember! Going too neutral, taking out too much or staging by non-professionals may often lead to non-memorable homes. Not good when you want to sell fast!

The art of home staging includes creating an atmosphere that people will fall in love with so they want to buy it or enjoy spending time in the space.

Home Staging is not just for homes!  Try it to sell other spaces.

Home staging can be used in other ways besides just selling homes! As an example, I staged a WeatherPort for the Alaska State Fair. WeatherPorts are tent structures  used for events, base camps, greenhouses, carports and a variety of uses. In this case, the point was to show how the WeatherPort could be used as a temporary living structure.  I used the art and science of home staging to help potential buyers visualize how they could use the space.

Try Home Staging to promote rental properties.

Home staging is also a great way to update the look of your rental property, whether it is a Bed and Breakfast or full time rental. As a Bed and Breakfast owner, I staged my own property and increased my bookings, was able to attract the clientele I wanted and paid for the value of the home staging the first season!  Find out more in my articles “Increase Your Bed and Breakfast Income with Home Staging” or “Home Staging Boosts Demand for Rental Properties”.

Whether you are trying to sell a home, a WeatherPort or rent an apartment or vacation rental, you will have much better success attracting buyers or renters if your space is not vacant!

Vacant spaces do not make an emotional connection with buyers or renters. Here is an example of a vacant home that I staged. Although this was staged to sell, this property had also been on the market for years as a vacation rental. Staging your space to get great photos that you can use for online marketing will make a big difference in your bottom line.

During this time of social distancing, you might consider virtual staging of your professional photos instead of in person staging. Learn more.

How much money are you leaving on the table? Your Bed and Breakfast table in particular. Probably a lot more than you think!

In a previous article, I talked about how Home Staging Boosts Demand for Rental Properties. Whether you have a vacation rental like a Bed and Breakfast, or a longer term rental such as an apartment or home, home staging can help you get a higher rental price, increase your business, attract a higher quality renter and generate great photos for online advertising,  How much money are you leaving on the table without doing it? Why not up your game at your vacation rental for more money and better customers.

Are You Attracting Your Ideal Customers Now?

Let’s say you have a Bed and Breakfast. Your potential customers first stop is your website.  Do you have high quality photos that highlight why your Bed and Breakfast is unique, wonderful and the perfect place to stay? Does each room look inviting, comfortable and vacation worthy? Does it draw in your ideal customer and make an emotional connection? If not, you have lost them within a few seconds!

I did a little market research on how my customers selected my Bed and Breakfast. My research (I asked them) showed that most picked my place based on the lower price. My target market was couples that were interested in wildlife viewing, and wanted a little luxury and were willing to pay more for a  mid-high end Bed and Breakfast. My ideal customers were not the bargain hunters.  I decided I needed to make a change!

My goal was to make my place unique and beautiful, raise my prices, increase my bookings and attract guests with interests similar to mine so I could provide them with great customer service.

I knew home staging worked to sell houses fast and for more and to attract a particular target market  by using decorating to make an emotional connection with those buyers.

So, I transformed my Bed and Breakfast inside and out!

What do your Ideal Customers Want?

Ultimately, they are paying for you. Your establishment is a reflection of you and your unique and amazing self:) Yup, it is really not about your bedding and art and your price. But your decor reflects “you”, and having a beautiful establishment brings higher prices.

What did I have to offer that made me unique? I had been working as a wildlife biologist specializing in birds for many years, so my expertise was in wildlife viewing. Also, I was an artist, musician and dance instructor so could offer unique art in the room as well as private  lessons. And as a designer, I wanted my decor to reflect all this and be colorful, happy and artistic. I decorated the room using lots of color so that it was happy but relaxing, wildlife art, my personal art and interesting accents with a wildlife theme.

Decorating for Your Ideal Customer

I decorated the room using lots of color, wildlife art, my art and interesting accents with a wildlife theme. I replaced the bedding, pillows, art, table and chairs, slighting and painted the dresser. I also added an electric fireplace for ambience and heat.

I used colorful pottery, my own stained glassware and wildlife accents such as this woodpecker door knocker and bear drawer handles.

In the bathroom, I selected had this beautiful shower curtain made based on a famous painting about hummingbirds as my inspiration piece. I then remodeled the bathroom to harmonize with it.  I removed the wallpaper, put in vinyl laminate flooring, new baseboard molding, replaced the outdated vanity, installed a new light and faucet, painted the walls a beautiful green.

I had the exterior painted a cheery color that harmonized with the coastal landscape, and continued the bird theme by adding outdoor bird metal art at the eaves.

How Much Money was I leaving on the Table?

So was I able to increase my Bed and Breakfast income with home staging?  Yes I was!

I took great photos and updated my website. I raised my prices by $40 per night, my bookings increased by 200% and I was fully booked the entire season. The increased prices paid for all my costs for the Interior updates the first season, and my increases the second year paid for the exterior paint job. The home staging and design work increased my income by about $10,000 per year for the one room that I rent. For an establishment with more rooms, you could increase your profit.

Just as Important as Money

Just as important, I was able to attract the types of guests that I want.  I used the new photos to promote my website using social media advertising on Facebook and bookings are increasing every year!  Having guests that I enjoy in my home that enjoy me and what I offer make a huge difference in the experience.

Stop Leaving Money on Your Table

Are you ready to update your vacation rental for increased profits and to attract the guests you want?  Contact me for a home staging or color consultation today. I can also assist you with social media advertising or a website review after it is looking great!

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A PICTURE’S WORTH A MILLION WORDS…& HOME BUYERS LOVE IT!

There’s a lot of hype these days about the value of Social Media in promoting an event, an idea and; how about this – a home sale! And why not; social media reaches a larger and younger audience of home buyers.  Its smart selling!

If you are planning on selling a home, you are smart to use social media to capture the attention of potential home buyers. Include social media in your marketing arsenal for a faster home sale. And for sellers who will use the For-Sale-By-Owner strategy; social media is a must.

If social media is not your thing, find someone who is skilled in using Facebook. As the seller, you can provide the other key elements of packaging your home sale and see that it is part of your social media marketing. Doing this will positively shape home buyer perceptions and emotions; those psychological triggers that prompt buyers to make you on offer on their future home!

MARKETING TOOLS FOR HOME SELLERS

• Professional home staging by an expert home stager with real estate knowledge
• Professional photos of the inside and outside of a property for use on the Internet, in social media & on marketing flyers
• A real estate “listing” (agent’s advertisement) which accurately describes the home’s features
• A “Facebook Page” that home sellers can capitalize on to do the following;
• Capture the “essence” of your home through photos, video and messages
• Promote your home sale through Face Book “Ads” so a larger audience is aware of your sale. Target your home buyers using location, age, income, demographics, and more.
• Send “invitations” or advertise your home sale “events,” such as an Open House
• Create and post videos or virtual tours of the interior and exterior of your home that highlights property features. A video helps make the home come alive for home buyers.

Facebook Pages, ads & videos offer powerful marketing photos, messages and information to home buyers that they won’t see in a typical real estate agent property listing (the Multiple Listing Service, or the MLS).

Together, these additional photos, videos and messages can portray the “essence” of what makes your property stand out from other properties (your competitors) with authentic marketing highlighting the best your house has to offer….something you as the owner know more about than anyone else!

Use links to these Facebook Pages, Ads, Events and videos in real estate listings, For-Sale-By-Owner websites, yard signs & flyers, marketing brochures, online Pay-Per-Click ads (PPC), newspaper ads and emails. Link them to other social media sites such as Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus to expand your advertising even more.

Call 907-362-0065 to launch your home sale with my social media tools and services. I can create a great Facebook page and video that captures the ‘essence” of your home for sale and do social media marketing of your page. Combine this with my home staging services and you will have a winning combination to sell your home fast and for more!

 

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