This week a fellow stager shared her frustration about a potential client who chose to go with another stager because they wanted “high end” furniture in the home. The stager really knows her stuff and the difference between high and lower end and does both extremely well. Most professional stagers know that you must stage to the market and the property’s features. This particular home was a flip and not a top of the line one from the description. Apparently the flipper felt that putting fancy furniture in a bottom tier property would make it sell quicker and for more even though there was no updating or upgrades done. I’ve seen it. It’s especially irritating to see these type properties listed as being "updated" when all that is up to date are the MLS numbers… not the fixtures, not the paint, not anything! The best analogy for this mistaken view of staging is the home that is over improved and upgraded to the point it’s priced out of the neighborhood. This type of “improvement” is a waste of money.  It’s more than a bit disappointing that so many still have the wrong perceptions of staging….that it hides a multitude of sins. The old cliché of putting lipstick on a pig comes to mind…put fancy stuff in place and no one will pay attention to the fact the spaces need cleaning and updating. I can’t count how many times I have been expected to stage on top of dirty spaces by so called real estate pros. Did we as an industry do this to ourselves? A picture is worth a thousand words but do sweet before and after shots really do more than show off a stager’s knack for design? Does quoting DOM statistics tell the whole staging story? These alone apparently don’t do enough to educate as to what staging really is and its intended goal. The average consumer consistently still thinks some of these things about staging: (1) Too expensive for the average listing, it's only for high end properties (2) Staging is used to distract buyers from negatives (3) It's decorating (4) It costs $2000 (don't get me started on this one) I have felt that it’s in part caused by the frenzy of TV programs that depict staging without the guts of it all. They focus too much on design and the stuff and don't mention actual time and labor most often. That mantra ofsell faster for more moneyneeds someifsattached to it. We’ve come a long way as an industry but educating the masses on what staging truly is and what it can and should accomplish is a daily occupation for most stagers. I think we need to storm the gates of HGTV and Bravo. Let’s see some true reality TV about staging! We need a show calledResponsible Staging, Real WorldStagersor something like that. When the average consumer sees an 1800 square foot apartment on TV staged for the incredible price of $50,000 it sends potential business running for the hills! Another stager I know says she gives the standard “this is not what you see on HGTV” speech to each new client. I do something similar and it’s amazing the questions asked or the misconceptions there seem to be when I do this. Lord knows we complain about all this enough, maybe it will actually stick some day soon. I’m all for pretty but does your particular listing warrant high end expense? That art, one of a kind pieces and top of the line dining set are great but does it make your ugly floors and cheap paint “high end”? Will a buyer overlook that? Not in today’s market. There are too many choices. Those TV shows have taught them that too:) ...read more

Time for #3 in my series of blogs on home improvement myths . I chose this subject as one of the top five home improvements out there but it could easily #1. Have you ever looked at a place from the outside and wondered about a piece that looks like someone just pasted it onto the side or up on top? In that situation, adding value with more square footage is a myth. Home improvements in this area require especially great care and consideration. The key to adding value by adding square footage is simple…the improvement makes sense and has a purpose other than simply “extra space.” A properly done square footage addition to your home could create anywhere from a 3 to 5% increase in value. The most common mistake made is, once again, lack of planning. Additional square footage should have a clear purpose, be livable and up to par with the rest of the house and construction standards in your area.  Poorly located and laid out additions will defeat the intended outcome if it appears it was an afterthought. This type of addition not only brings down value and return on your investment but it also raises a whole host of questions and concerns about the rest of the property in the future should you be preparing to sell the home. Adding square footage to your existing home should probably always be done by a licensed professional that can deal with the issues of materials, insulation, wiring, plumbing and fire codes and standards.  This one is important...the value of additional square footage will also be determined by the condition and other amenities of your home as it compares to others in your neighborhood.For instance moving a basement laundry upstairs, adding more storage or enlarging a master suite could create more value than a family room addition. This is worth researching because you may find that simply improving or upgrading existing spaces would create more value at less expense.  Finally, do you really need the extra space? I am a huge advocate of finding a larger space if you need it verses going through the pain, expense and inconvenience of renovations. Sometimes that may not be an option or you simply love where you are and do need the extra space. In that case you must be careful not to over improve so you have a chance of receiving some return on investment eventually. These are some of the things you should chew on before jumping in. If you are in doubt hire a professional to assess whether an addition is right for you and will add value for years to come. To revisit myths number 1 and 2 in this series visit Ana's blog at www.accentingspaces.com. Ana Hitzel is the owner ofAccentPositivesHome Staging and the host ofYour Place Your SpaceHome Improvement Radio on KNOC 1680 AM andknocradio.com.  The show airs Fridays 11AM to 12 PM PST. Stream live internet or catch the archived broadcast on the show page by visiting knocradio.com or click on the show logo below. Email the show atyourspaceradio@yahoo.com. Visit ourFace Book pagefor more tips and information and don't forget to hit the LIKE button! ...read more

1,426 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2 bath main house with 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest house on 17,860 sq ft lot in Norco - you must see to believe.  Built in 1918 and needs some TLC, but full of potential. ...read more