Welcome to Saturday Night Live Art Shows. I’m Mary Ann Benoit, an energy artist and Interior Designer from Seward, Alaska.

How do you feel about time? Is there never enough? Does it fly by or stand still?

We think of time as linear. What if it’s not, and all things are happening at the same time, but you just see one aspect of it?

Ever feel like you have been somewhere before, or have a memory from a distant time or place you have never been?

Is it a past memory behind the veil of time? Or a concurrent event?

My Interior Design, and energy art on the walls, pillows, and furniture remind you to keep an open mind about time and to change your perception to suit you.

Raise the vibe in your space today. Great design starts with energy.

My art is a mixture of fractal art and AI, with numerous fractal art hearts, symbolizing living a path with heart.

See my “Unveiling Time” Collection in this show at https://maryann-benoit.pixels.com/collections/unveiling+time.

See all my new AI/fractal designs at https://maryann-benoit.pixels.com/collections/ai+and+fractal+art.

Give me a call today at 907-362-0065 to create your own custom energy art and Interior Design aligned with you.

See the Show

https://youtu.be/AK5u-803ZBA

Thanks to Saturday Night Live Art Shows creator, artist Brooke Harker and her co-hosts Joan Marie of Joan Marie Art, Sheryl Benjy, and Nichole McDaniel for making this possible. Follow Saturday Night Live Art Shows on Facebook by searching #snlartshows.

“Unveiling Time” Aligned Energy Art

If you have watched some of my previous shows, you know everything is energy. Including time. Here are some of my energy art pieces highlighted in the show.

 Aligned Energy Art  is another layer of meaning beyond the visual beauty in creating your perfect space that is  aligned with who you want to be.”

Get the Look

Contact me to work together and create a design that is perfect for your space. Here are a few of the pieces I used in this design.

What is AI and Fractal Art?

I created this digital art using a combination of AI (artificial intelligence) and Fractal on my computer. AI required using the right words to tell the computer what your artistic vision is, and then revising it over and over until it is close to my vision. Then I create fractal art using special software based on math. I overlay the fractal art images on the AI images. Each image has a special energy message meant to support you in your life. I infuse my energy to support you through the art during the creation process.

I love creating these mediums because it allows me to work with brilliant colors, interesting textures, and incredible detail. 

See more of my Fractal Art/ Sacred Geometry designs on Fine Art America or Society 6. 

Are You Ready to Create Your Perfect Space with Art?

Isn’t it time to create a space that is aligned with who you truly are?

My unique Interior Design philosophy combines:

The ART of beauty

The SCIENCE of color

The ENERGY of well-being

Art + Science + Energy = Magic

Get an Aligned Design consultation which includes an Interior Design, Color, and Energy consultation, and custom fractal art to tie it all together. 

https://youtu.be/uIfSAJMThm4

What is Your Design Style?

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Paying for College by Flipping Houses

If you’re an adult looking to head back to school, expect to pay through your nose for it: A college education will set you back anywhere from $10,423 to $39,723 in most places. Flipping houses is a potentially fast, convenient way to save up the money you need for college. An average flip takes 177 days (close to 5 months), according to an ATTOM report, with a typical gross profit of $64,900 – which is enough for your tuition and then some.

If you’re interested in house flipping, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design offers some tips on getting started.

Getting into the right mindset

House flipping takes time, money, and patience. There will be challenges, ranging from absentee contractors to market downturns. It’s important to have a practical, committed mindset if you’re serious about making money from flipping. You’ll have to treat it as an investment, build up your skills, create a reliable team, and focus on growing a business.

Finding fixer-uppers with good potential

To turn a significant profit, you have to be discerning with your fixer-upper. First, consider the property’s location. You want something in a desirable neighborhood with, preferably, rising property values. Ask yourself if you’d want to live there, and why. Second, consider your fixer-upper’s condition. Factor in any repairs or upgrades you’re going to have to make to it.

Getting a mortgage

Purchasing a fixer-upper and upgrading it will require a significant amount of money. Some flippers purchase houses through hard cash while others do it through financing options like loans. Some examples are the FHA, VA Renovation Loan, and HomeStyle Renovation. Non-mortgage options include zero-percent credit cards, personal loans, and a home equity line of credit.

Improvements to attract buyers

Adding functional and aesthetic upgrades to your fixer-upper can make it more attractive to buyers, netting you a bigger profit at the end of the day. Some examples are adding a fresh layer of paint, modifying the washroom, adding smart home accessories, and setting up a security system. Again, it’s important you think about whether any upgrade is worth it. The Balance covers some upgrades that are not worthwhile.

Marketing your property is essential if you want to find buyers. Know your ideal buyers and target your marketing toward them. Also, price your property based on what your buyers can afford. Be sure to feature high-quality photos or videos of the property to give them an idea of the fixer-upper. Working with a good realtor can help raise your property’s profile. You can also conduct social media and other ad campaigns to cast a wider net.

Professional staging can help your property stand out

Staging a property is prepping it to make it look extra pretty for visitors during viewings. To stage a home, you clean, declutter, furnish (or refurnish), change up the lighting, add decoration, and make other changes to make it as attractive as possible. Working with Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design can be well worth it. She has the experience as well as an eye for what makes a home extra attractive.

You can opt for online education too

Online programs are an option if you’d like to learn while you work on growing your business. Furthermore, online programs are more affordable than in-person learning, and you can typically learn at your own pace. If you’d like to house flip full-time, you could do so while keeping up with your studies. For example, going back to school and earning an online teaching degree can help you obtain a teaching license.

Managing documents for your house-flipping business

You can expect a great deal of paperwork when you get into house flipping. If you’d like to store or share files, PDFs are often the preferred format over Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. This deserves a look if you want an online tool that allows you to convert these types of files to PDFs by simply dragging and dropping them into the tool.

House flipping can be very lucrative, and a lot of fun as well. Like with any other business or side gig, it will take some time for you to see any returns – meaning it could be a while before you have enough for college. For better chances of success, make sure to run the numbers before investing any money into a fixer-upper.

This article was written by Suzie Wilson of  Happier Home for Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Marketing Your Property for Profit.

After all your hard work, make sure you get the most from your sale with home staging.  I can help you sell fast and for more, wherever you live.

Offer your buyers a great tip on getting their new home set up   with an Aligned Design consultation which combines color and design advice and can even create some custom art and decor for  your new home.

Learn more about Global style design in my article, Tell Your Story with Global Style Interior Design.  Curious about what Global Style might be right for you? Take the quiz below. Ready to try to get the look in your own home? Try one of my Edesign packages.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

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Prices subject to change without notice.

Examples may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission for sharing them with you if you buy something, at no additional cost to you.

Welcome to Saturday Night Live Art Shows. I’m Mary Ann Benoit, an energy artist and Interior Designer from Seward, Alaska.

Energy art portraits express who you truly are when you shine your light. I created this fractal art piece, inspired by this photo, to express Joan Marie, a Visionary Artist of Joan Marie Art, shining her light to the world.

What do I see in this photo?

A huge heart exploding with creativity, joy, and love. A spirit filled with fun, colorful abandon, and spiritual wisdom. In my art, I portrayed a butterfly, which is a symbol of joy. And hearts, for Joan Marie is living a path with heart, and doing what she loves. Joan Marie loves brilliant colors and is adventurous, energetic, and fun. With a triple-exploding heart that touches the world. A heart so big, it can not be contained. It affects everything around it. Healing itself and others in the process.

Thank you for sharing your joy and love for the world.

See the Show

Thanks to Saturday Night Live Art Shows creator, artist Brooke Harker and her co-hosts Joan Marie of Joan Marie Art, Sheryl Benjy, and Nichole McDaniel for making this possible.

Be sure to check out all the other artists from around the world, having art shows in their Facebook and social media feeds at 6-9 pm in their time zones. Follow Saturday Night Live Art Shows on Facebook by searching #snlartshows.

See Joan Marie’s exquisite visionary art and power portraits she creates at Joan Marie Art.

Get Your Own Energy Art Portrait

Get Yours Now

What is Fractal Art?

Fractal art is digital art I create on my computer. I love creating fractal art because it allows me to work with brilliant colors, interesting textures, and incredible detail. Learn more about how it is created in my Saturday Night Live Art Show, ” A Passion for Purple” where I show some videos of the process.

See more of my Fractal Art/ Sacred Geometry designs on Fine Art America or Society 6.

 Aligned Energy Art adds another layer of energy and meaning beyond visual beauty to create a space that is  aligned with who you really are “.

Are You Ready to Create Your Perfect Space with Art?

Isn’t it time to create a space that is aligned with who you truly are?

My unique Interior Design philosophy combines:

The ART of beauty

The SCIENCE of color

The ENERGY of well-being

Art + Science + Energy = Magic

Get an Aligned Design consultation which includes an Interior Design, Color, and Energy consultation, and custom fractal art to tie it all together.

When your space is better, you are better. When you are better, the world is better. The world needs you. Choose to create a space that is aligned with You.

What is Your Design Style?

Aligned Design©– All Rights Reserved.

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Prices are subject to change without notice.

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With the home buying and selling process comes a lot of paperwork. It can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it easier. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design has compiled some tips and tricks to take the stress out of this process.

Find the Best Rates

Before you start looking for homes, it is important to know what budget you can work within. Carefully estimate what you can afford to buy and research mortgages that will fit your needs and budget. Knowing your budget will help narrow down your options and save time when looking for homes.

Use Tools to Make Collaboration Easy

Digitizing documents into PDF forms helps you keep them organized and easy to find in one place. A PDF merger saves time by quickly merging multiple documents together, eliminating the risk of losing track due to clutter. Conversely, you can use a tool to streamline documents—you may consider this option to delete pages from a PDF for free, so you don’t have to handle massive file sizes.

Track Timeline and Deadlines

A timeline document is an essential tool for tracking key dates and deadlines in the home buying or selling process. The Balance notes that these dates can be used to keep track of important events, such as closing day, as well as any tasks that need to be done before a given deadline. Crosschecking these timelines ensures all steps are completed on time, which is critical for a successful transaction.

Plotting key dates in advance is an important part of the home buying and selling process. This will ensure that documents are properly retrieved from storage or sent to other parties to be completed on time. Setting reminders ahead of time is a good idea.

Gather All Your Documents

When selling your home, it’s important to be prepared. Realtor.com suggests collecting necessary documents such as title deeds, mortgage details, and tax information beforehand so that the process is smooth and you get paid promptly once closing day arrives. Not only will this save time, but it can protect you from any potential issues during the sale.

Consider Online Banking

Online banking can help keep track of closing costs, taxes, and legal fees associated with any transaction. It also makes it easier to file taxes at the end of the year since all transactions are documented. Additionally, tracking expenses online eliminates worry over paper receipts getting lost due to clutter or forgetfulness which could lead to unexpected fees in the future.

Color-Code Your Physical Files

Color coding files is a great way to simplify organization during a hectic time. Different colors can represent different categories so that documents are easily identifiable at a glance. This eliminates the hassle of searching through tons of files just to find one document, thus taking away the stress from an already difficult situation.

Stay on Top of Your Budget

Moving to a new home can be an exciting time, setting your sights on a new life ahead, but it is expensive. To make sure you keep track of your budget, create a document listing all your expenses. On the list should be major payments from both parties, as well as estimated costs and what you actually spend. This can identify where potential savings might have been made.

Buying or selling your next home can be a daunting process with the long list of paperwork you have to handle, but by digitizing and organizing documents, color coding physical files, listing expenses, and researching mortgages beforehand, you can make sure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Taking the time to prepare ahead of time will make the home buying or selling process much more straightforward for you.

This article was written by Suzie Wilson of  Happier Home for Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

Tips for Before and After You Buy

Before you buy, you are probably trying to sell your current home as fast and profitably as possible. Home staging is the best way to make that happen and keep your stress levels low while looking for your new home. I can help you sell fast and for more, wherever you live.

Once you buy your new house, if you are like most folks, you move in quickly and everything remains where it is initially placed.  Why not get your colors and design right from the start! Let me help you with an Aligned Design consultation which combines color and design advice and can even create some custom art and decor for you and your new home.

Learn more about Global style design in my article, Tell Your Story with Global Style Interior Design.  Curious about what Global Style might be right for you? Take the quiz below. Ready to try to get the look in your own home? Try one of my Edesign packages.

Examples may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission for sharing them with you if you buy something, at no additional cost to you.

Aligned Design©– All Rights Reserved.

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Prices are subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

There Will Only Ever Be One of You

There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?

One thing I have learned over the last year is that there is a reason I am here. That is to do what I am meant to do in my unique way, because no one else can do it like me.  

It is funny. I was doing a home staging job the other day and the client asked what made me special. It effortlessly came out of my mouth, “Because I am the only one in the universe that can do things uniquely as I do them. I am what makes me special”.

This was not meant to toot my own horn. It just is the way of the world for all of us.

It is just that some of us recognize and celebrate it, and others are still learning the lesson.

We owe it to the universe and those around us to be our authentic selves. Otherwise, we are depriving others of what we were meant to give them as we try to fit in and be someone else instead.

In many ways, this last year was the best year of my life.

Yes, really.

Why? Because it was a year of learning and transformation.

Instead of dwelling on all that was wrong in the world, I decided to learn and grow and make the most of the time I unexpectedly had.

Times were hard in many ways, but I also learned how to deal with those hard times in a different way.

As things are getting back to normal in some ways, I feel differently.

It is like I am in the eye of the storm where all is calm while everything around me seems chaotic as others are trying to get back to “normal” Maybe “normal” wasn’t so great. Is that the place you want to go?

I feel the way I do is because of a program I went through and continue to do, called TCP (Transformational Coaching Program). The program helps you transform from the inside out, and helps you to BE the person you want to be, so you can DO the things you need to HAVE the life you were meant to have.

It helps you get in alignment with what makes you unique and why it matters.

Are you intrigued? Is the little voice in the back of your mind saying “I don’t have time or money for that right now” because you are busy DOING all the things you think are important?

Believe me, I get it. I am the ultimate DOER. I felt the same way.

 I took the program anyway, and am so glad I did.

It is easy to go on for years without changing our lives for the better. For me it was always the struggle between the short-term pain versus the long-term gain. You can always convince yourself you will start tomorrow.

Imagine yourself thinner, healthier, happier, wealthier, and more peaceful. Living a life filled with abundance without worrying all the time about money or accomplishing all the things. If you were fully convinced it would work for you, you would do it, wouldn’t you?

There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?

Get Aligned With Who You Were Meant to BE

I joined TCP to increase my income for my Interior Design/Home Staging business.

Although my focus was business, the program instead provided incredible value to my health and well-being.

I changed my habits and lost weight and quit smoking. I started to make self care my priority. I stopped DOING my way through life and learned how to BE the person I want to be. I released a lot of stress and anger and learned how to do things differently. I noticed a huge difference in my feeling of peace and well being.

I then took a TCP business class which helped me become more aware and aligned with what makes me unique and how to make that the focus of my business. This shaped my philosophy of “Aligned Design”, which aligns art, science and energy to create your perfect space.  

Even though this business class was all about making more income for my business, the more I learned, the less important money became to me and the more important creating expansion in others lives and being of service became. Ultimately, that increased my business and income, and I was more aligned with what I was meant to be doing so was having more fun!

The programs are run by Jim Fortin and his amazing team of coaches. It includes a private Facebook group where there is onoing coaching and community, weekly content such as workbooks, videos and audios with homework, followed by weekly Facebook lives with Jim and the coaches on a wide variety of topics from health to business. We worked on things like clarity, vision, sub-conscious values, habits, self-integrity, responsibility, commitment, choices, relationships You could also ask for coaching on any topic in the FB group or do a “hot seat” on one of the live calls. The community of people in the group from all over the world is extremely positive and supportive.  

Try it for Yourself

Are you ready for a change?

Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may get paid a small amount for referring you at no additional cost to you.

Get on the Waitlist for the next TCP Program. I think this is the best training I have ever invested in. It made a huge difference for me. I hope it can make a difference for you too.

Check out Jim Fortin’s Podcast. This is how I started and it’s free.

Listen to this podcast episode- Why Your Bad Habits are So Hard To Break. This one really helped me to change some of my eating habits and lose weight, even before joining the program.

This is a great episode too. How the Law of Attraction Repels Money and Abundance you Want.

Listen to the Master Thought Formula, which is amazing!

Create Your Perfect Space to Support Your Journey

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Selling your home? It can be very stressful. Or not.

Regardless of the circumstances, these tips can make selling your home a reason to celebrate rather than a reason to get stressed out.

It doesn’t matter if it is a buyers market or a seller’s market.

It doesn’t matter if you are moving because it is a great opportunity or because you are being forced to.

Selling doesn’t have to be stressful.

Who wants to be ready at a moment’s notice to leave a let a realtor show the house to total strangers?

Who wants to lay awake at night wondering how long it will take, if you will get the price you want or have to take a lot of price reductions?

Who want’s to keep things clean and put away, ALWAYS.

I know, the cat just threw up a fur ball, there are toys everywhere and you have other things to worry about.

https://northernlightsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Copy-of-What-is-your-Global-Interior-Design-Style_-2.mp4

But guess what? It does not have to be so bad if you have a good plan, a good team to help you and you are prepared before you list. Then, it should be smooth sailing. A fast sale for the price you want is something to celebrate, not stress over.

Tips for a Stress-Free Sale Before You List

Stage It

I am sure you know by now that this is a no-brainer. Invest a little. Make a lot.

A stager can help you with all the rest of these tips as well. The fastest way to reduce stress is to be prepared and sell fast for a great price! Let them handle making the appeal to buyers while you get things packed and ready to move.

De-Clutter and Create Space

Your stager can recommend what things to keep out for staging and what to pack up.

• Get rid of things you don’t use and are not moving to your next home.
• Have a garage sale now, NOT after your house is listed. If you do it after listing it gives buyers the sense you are in a hurry to sell and they may make a lower offer.
• Start packing things up for the move and put them in storage. Do not store it in your garage. That space is a selling point buyers are looking for. Let them see it….not a bunch of boxes.
• Donate the things you don’t want and can’t sell to charity.

Create Curb Appeal and Outdoor Living Space

Your stager can recommend what things should be done to the exterior and yard to improve curb appeal.

Typically, this involves doing your yard work, trimming, trees and shrubs, putting everything away, a new welcome mat, and some flowers or art near the door.

Create outdoor living spaces with chairs, tables, and a BBQ grill in a beautiful spot in the yard or on the deck to show the possibilities.

Tips for Stress-Free Sale After You List

• For all showings, keep all lights on so it is light and bright
• Open all the curtains and let the light in.
• Keep the toilet seats down
• Turn off the TV
• Make sure all beds are made, toys put away
• Remove evidence of pets.
• Bathrooms should have only clean towels and all personal items should be out of view and stored in baskets.
• Remove your valuables from sight.
• Create baskets or boxes for daily clutter and toys so you have a place to easily
• Let there be Light- Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
• Turn off the TV.
• Open windows for fresh air
• Make sure all dishes are done or in the dishwasher.

These tips should help you sell fast and for more, so you can rest easy, sell without too much stress and move on to your next adventure.

Sell Your House Faster and For More

 

 

 

 

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When you decide to sell your house, of course, you want to make the most money on the sale and sell fast.  My house is my biggest asset. I bet it is for you too. It is important to hire the best person for the job to get the best results.

After all, if you had a brain tumor, would you go to someone who does cosmetic surgery and expect them to get the job done?

If you needed a tooth pulled, would you ask your neighbor? Maybe if they were a dentist.

Invest in the right person. Make sure they are experienced professionals.

Here are some of the common mistakes I see people make when they call about hiring me to stage their home.

1. Look for the Cheapest Price?

Think all stagers are created equally? It’s just decorating, how hard can it be? You can probably do it yourself.  Those beliefs are going to cost you.  Thousands. Maybe tens of thousands.

How much it costs you now is the last thing you should be thinking of. More important is how much your investment will make you when it sells.

Most home stagers will charge $350-$700 for an initial consultation which is usually about 2 hours. They will tell you everything you can do to prepare your house for the market and stage it yourself if that is what you choose to do. If you want them to stage it for you, which I highly recommend, they charge by the hour or a flat rate. Do it. They are trained to know what will get you the fast sale.

When you are looking for a stager, do not just pick the person with the lowest price. Look for someone experienced, with training that has a professional website that shows a great portfolio and testimonials.

After all, if you find a stager who charges half the price of another, but their work does not sell your house fast and for more, you just wasted a lot of money.

2. Allow Yourself to be Fooled by Meaningless Credentials?

Don’t be fooled by titles and credentials. The home staging industry is not regulated. There are no certifications out there that are regulated by the states or federal government. There are some companies that will say you are certified if you pay them money to take their unregulated classes and will give you a certificate. I am not saying they are not good classes, only that the certification really does not mean anything. After all, your neighbor can decide to call themselves a home stager tomorrow, make some business cards, and go into business. But will they get you a fast sale and a great price?

A professional stager should have some training from a reputable school or trainer. They should have experience. Maybe they are someone with a degree in design (although that knowledge is different than what is needed for home staging).

3. Allow Someone Else to Pick Your Home Stager for You?

Has your realtor said they will find a home stager for you? How much do they know about staging? Maybe they can recommend a good stager for you but I would do your own research and make phone calls. I say this because I get calls all the time from realtors for their clients and all they seem to care about is price. That is mistake number one and not helping you.

4. Not Reviewing the Stagers Website, Portfolio and References?

A professional always has a website. And it should look good and highlight their work in a beautiful portfolio. If it doesn’t, how will your house look when it is done? If they don’t have a website, I would not even consider them. No, A Facebook page does not count:)

They should have great testimonials. Many of them.

They should have an online portfolio. When you look at the after pictures, you should think,  “I want to buy that house”!

5. Let Your Friend with “Good Taste” stage it for you?

No, no, no, no. Just say no.

Decorating is not staging. Stagers use decorating as a tool to take what they know about market conditions, your target market, worthwhile changes that will give you a great return on your investment, and more to emotionally connect to buyers.

I am a professional Interior Designer and know that knowledge tells me little about home staging. Luckily, I am also trained as a home stager. That is why I know what a difference there is between them.  It is not about your decorating style or taste, or that of your friends, It is about the buyer. That is a whole different thing.

 

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Of course, you wouldn’t. At least I hope not! When you are selling your home, just like going to an important job interview or getting ready for a first date, you need to make a great first impression. And you don’t have much time to do it. People have a short attention span. It is what it is.

Get ready for the market with these tips to help make a great impression fast.

1. Make the outside look just as inviting as the inside

When you drive up, if things are not neat, clean, and do not look well-cared for then the buyer will imagine the house has not well cared for either.

Imagine you drive up and see children’s toys,  an un-mowed lawn, wild shrubs that have not been trimmed, broken fence posts. Do you want to see the inside?  The thought probably scares you.

Make sure you have great curb appeal.

• Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, rake the leaves, shovel the snow.
• Put away all children’s toys, projects, and yard tools.
• Make the entrance look great with an eye-catching color on the front door, a new welcome mat, and some flowers or art near the door.
• Repair walkways, steps, and railings.
• Make sure garbage cans are not visible.
• Make sure everything is clean and swept. A good pressure washing can really help make things look new.

2. Create Space-Eliminate Excess Stuff

A key thing buyers want is space to put all their stuff.  They do not care to see your stuff. Only envision their stuff. Will their stuff fit, will it look good with the current paint job, and is there enough storage for their copious amounts of stuff.

Your stuff is a distraction. What you keep out for staging should be about highlighting the best features of the home, including the space, for buyers. It is no longer about your stuff. Time to break up with the house.

It is worth going through every closet and cabinet and taking out about 50% of your stuff.

And please, do not put boxes and boxes of your stuff in the garage. Buyers want to see the space you have to offer there as well.

3. Reduce Worry

As soon as a buyer sees an issue….a broken handle, a cabinet door that does not work, a light that won’t turn on, a water spot, a hole in the wall….they wonder what else is wrong with the house and start looking for problems.

The magic spell of emotional connection to their dream home is broken.

Then they start thinking of all the weekends they will spend working on the house instead of enjoying it and how much it will cost to fix, which you can be sure they will imagine being more than it will cost.

Take care of these problems before listing. Fix paint chips, small and large repair problems, peeling paint or wallpaper. Make sure all the electrical outlets have covers and matching ones at that. Take care of leaks, odors, and anything that needs repairing.

4. Let Color Make Money for You

A good coat of paint can go a long way in making things look fresh, new and making a connection with buyers.  There is a balancing act between appealing to the greatest number of buyers and not having the house appear cold or boring.

Color can help you sell for more or turn buyers off. A color expert can help you select colors that will increase your sales price. Don’t just pick a beige or white and call it good. It will cost you.

5. Make the house memorable with art and accessories

There is a fine balance between being neutral enough to highlight the home rather than the objects within it and creating a space that is memorable and interesting enough to make an emotional connection with buyers.

Home stagers are experts at creating this balance. It is very different than decorating or designing for a homeowner. It is all about the buyer.

Strategically placed and carefully selected art and colorful accessories can create focal points in areas you want to highlight and create the magic buyers remember.

Art should be colorful, to scale, and definitely not political, religious, or controversial in any way. So please, forget about the animal heads.

 

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Home staging helps buyers see their dream life before them.

Helping buyers see is the key.

You may have heard that when people buy homes, they buy on emotion rather than logic. In the past I wrote about how Selling Your Home is Not About Selling Your Home, it is about selling a dream.

You can’t sell a dream if the buyer can’t see it. That is why vacant houses are hard to sell. Very few can “see the dream” in an empty house. They just look cold and uninviting.

Being able to see is just important in an occupied home.

Most people can’t visualize very well. They can’t picture that purple room of yours with white walls. They can’t picture that bedroom you converted to a playroom as a bedroom. They can’t visualize that home gym you created as a child’s room. And, they can’t really visualize how much space the room really has when you have so much stuff in it. Or, if it is totally empty.

 If they can’t see it, in their mind’s eye or with their real eyes, they probably won’t buy it.

How can home staging help buyers see so you can sell your house fast and for the most possible?

Show Me the Money

Home staging helps buyers see the value of what you are offering.

Value partially comes in the number of bedrooms and whether a property can be income producing for example.

If you have converted a bedroom to another function such as an office or gym,  it is important to stage it as a bedroom. The price of your home is partially based on number of bedrooms. If it does not look like a bedroom, buyers won’t see it as a bedroom.

Buyers are often looking for a home that has income producing potential, such as a rental unit with a separate entrance. If you have a space that could be income producing, stage it that way to show the possibility.

Show me the Dream

People buy to create a better life than they have now. You can show them the possibility of more outdoor living space, more beautiful decor, more room for their kids to play or for a growing family, more storage, room for a home based business or work out area and more with staging!

Know your target market and their dreams. Show the possibilities!

Can You See It?

A professional home stager is an expert at staging a home so people can see themselves living their dreams there. They will research your area and determine a target market to stage for.

They can see it, and can help others to see it.

Help Buyers See What They Need

I would like to show you how you can sell your house fast and for more by helping buyers see a better life in your for sale home. Get started with a home staging consultation today.

Buy Now

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Interested in become a home stager? Try the Staging Diva Home Staging Training. This is what I did and highly recommend it!

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Because you get what you pay for.

I know, you may have looked into hiring a home stager, but it turned out to be more expensive than you were expecting.

Have you fully considered what it may cost you not to stage? How about 10K on your first price reduction for starters.

Knowing you should stage it, you may have decided to just do it yourself. How hard can it be?

Home Staging Tasks You Can and Should Do Yourself

Yes, there are many things you can do yourself to save money and prepare your house for the market.

• You can clean like it has never been cleaned before! It will pay off.
• You can declutter, and pack up 50% of what you normally live with.
• You can repaint using colors that will help you sell your house for more.
• You can do repairs and upgrades.
• You can create great curb appeal by making sure your yard is clean, trimmed and everything is put away.

But Here’s the Thing

• Do you know what paint colors will help you sell for more and which might decrease your sales price?
• Do you know what things are best to pack up and what is best to leave out for staging? Most home sellers pack away too much or the wrong things.
• Do you know which repairs and upgrades will pay for themselves and which ones wont?
• Are you an expert on the market? Do you know who your target market is and how to emotionally connect with them through decorating, space planning and other things the pros are trained to do?
• Can you see your home objectively with the fresh eyes of someone who has never seen the home before? Really? How is that possible?
• Are you an expert at what a realistic price range is for your house and how your house should be staged for that price range?
• Can you emotionally detach from your house as if it belonged to someone else, and see all the things in it with fresh eyes? Wow, you’re good!
• Are you up on who the different trades people are in the area that do a great job?
• Are you an expert at decorating? How about decorating for buyers? That is a whole different thing.
• Do you have an inventory or access to things to stage your home that look new, modern, and will highlight your homes best features for buyers? Considering you are moving; you are unlikely to want to purchase things that might be needed for staging.
• Does your house have odors that you can’t detect because you are so used to them that may turn buyers off?

The Pros and Cons

You may be tempted to do it yourself in order to save a little. Hiring a pro can increase what you can make on your sales price by tens of thousands of dollars. It can also cost you that if you don’t.

Home staging always costs less than your first price reduction. Those are usually about 10k each time. That can add up to some substantial losses if your “home staging” is not up to par.

And how can it be, if you are not a pro. After all, you are probably a nurse, or accountant or IT person or whatever your profession is. Do you think someone with no training or education could walk into your workplace and do your job as good as you could?

How About Hiring a Cheap Home Stager?

Are you thinking, OK fine, I will hire a home stager and will look for the cheapest one?

You could go with a cheap stager. Have you fully considered how much money you will be losing if their staging job does not result in a faster sale or a higher price? If it sits on the market for months, how many tens of thousands in price reductions are you willing to take?

A professional home stager is worth every penny you will pay. It is worth it.

Ready to Sell for More?

Ready to professional stage your home so you can get the best sales price? Get started with a home staging consultation today.

Buy Now

Download my Brochure

Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

Prices subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Interested in become a home stager? Try the Staging Diva Home Staging Training. This is what I did and highly recommend it!

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