Flipping and Staging

Pictures of a Flipped Kitchen

A key part of Selling your home is getting your home ready to sell.  For properties that need work, that process is called rehab, and quick rehabs where the homeowner owns the property for less than a year are called flips.  Let's look at some pictures of a recent Flip I sold:

This older kitchen hurts sales, both
for the work involved, and the
ability to make a buyer feel good.
The renovated kitchen is bright
and welcoming, with modern
touches that attract buyers

Looking at these two photos, it can be hard to believe it's the same kitchen.  But it is!  (Thanks to JDHomeDesigns for the photos.  If you'd like to reach them for your next project, please contact me!)

On the left, we have the following issues:
  • Dated Colors and Vinly Tile Floor
  • Dated Cabinet Style (from the 50's!)
  • Yellow Tile Backsplash (a color issue and a style issue)
  • No accent color from the walls.
On the right, we see:
  • White cabinets reflect light, brighten space.  Modern Styling.
  • Stainless Appliances are fashionable and brighten the space
  • Blue/grey Ceramic tile adds a modern feel and the color adds depth.
  • Light Color Blacksplash adds a clean look, high end kitchen feel.
  • Light Grey paint on the walls is an accent and ties the room together

Flipping a property is hard work.  Fortunately, many folks have homes that don't need to be rehabbed, they just need to "show well".  This is a fuzzy real estate term for having your home appeal to the widest possible audience, and having your home show in the best possible light.  This process is called staging.  Some staging ideas are very simple and can have a big effect.

  1. Making sure blinds and curtains are up and  pulled back to let light into the home.  People feel claustrophobic in dark houses.  
  2. Those 40 watt bulbs in your basement?  Make them 100 watts please.
  3. Think about curb appeal: Mulch your flowerbeds, trim your shrubs, fertilize your lawn, and knock down the weeds on your walks.
  4. Paint, Paint, Paint.  Co-ordinated color palettes and fresh paint can be one of the biggest returns on investment in your home.  
  5. Make it CLEAN.  Wash window screens, scrub baseboard, clean light switches, dust window sills and room corners, vacuum under beds, bleach the tile in the baths to get mold and mildew, dust fan blades, wash interior doors where the dust collects.




Pictures of a Staged Bedroom

Here's some more photos from a staged bedroom.

This Bedroom isn't Likely
To Wow Today's Buyers		This updated bedroom feels
warm and inviting.



On the left, we see:
  • Wallpaper and Dark Carpet
  • Blinds and Curtains that block light (helpful for sleeping, not selling!)
  • Dated Furniture
  • Bedspread is the focal point - and it shouldn't be.
On the right, we see:
  • White baseboard adds punch to the newly painted space.
  • Small Furniture (and bed) make the space feel larger
  • Pillows (green) match the knicknacks (also green) to tie the room together.
  • Dragonflies, dining tray, and blanket make the room feel casual, homey, and not cold
  • Bedspread and sheets are solid colors working together - no complicated patterns for the eye to sort out.

Don't take my word for it- which bedroom would you pay more for?  Thought so.  Again, thanks to JDHomeDesigns for the photos.  They are available for staging your home!


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