How Staging a Home Pays Off

Hello friends,

This spring has been one of our busiest home staging seasons with many sellers enjoying the benefits of preparing their homes early and marketing to targeted buyers – boosting the value of their property and selling quickly. However, there are sellers who are hesitant and still need convincing that home staging – whether occupied or vacant –  is a worthwhile investment, even in a hot market. Several key points can help overcome sellers’ uncertainty and assure them that staging before listing is a win-win decision.

1. Basic updates boost perceived value

Today’s buyers are looking for an updated home in move-in ready condition and will usually pay more if they feel good about it. Simple updates such as freshly painted walls in universally appealing neutral colors, modern lighting, and polished hardwood floors make an immediate statement online and in person and will ultimately yield a quicker sale for top dollar.

2. Helps buyers connect

Some buyers can be turned off by the cold feeling of an empty room or distracted by dated furnishings that suggest the home is old and neglected. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, a vacant property can take up to 78 percent more time to sell than comparable furnished homes. And with 95 percent of vacant or occupied staged homes selling in 11 days or less, there is no question that adding inviting style with modern furnishings helps buyers envision living in a space and get a better idea how a room can be used to fit their lifestyle.

3. Enhances key features

Buyers who can’t look passed dated carpeting or clutter that hides key features will most likely walk away immediately. Choosing a neutral palette with the right furniture arrangement and simple, elegant accents will allow architectural features to become a focal point, increase the perceived size of rooms and improve overall flow and ultimately make the property more memorable.

4. Bedrooms are valuable real estate

Every decision that is made when marketing a home to sell should focus on the targeted buyer’s lifestyle and needs. An experienced stager will provide recommendations for what style furnishings and décor will be appropriate based on the demographics you want to attract to the property. For example, an extra bedroom that is now serving as an office, hobby room, or gym should be converted back into a bedroom to appeal to millennials with young kids (see photo above).

5. Less stress

A professional stager will eliminate stress by making the home selling process turnkey for clients. They will manage the entire process to make a property market-ready — from paint color selection, lighting updates, window treatments, floor refinishing, furniture rentals to packing and organizing services. They will do whatever it takes to appeal to as many buyers as possible and get the property sold quickly and for top dollar.

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2017/06/05/key-points-for-education-sellers-that-home-staging-pays-off/

Thanks so much!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500

Does the first utility bill of the summer leave you in shock?

Hello Friends,

A recent post from RIS Media’s Housecall blog explains that the first utility bill of the summer can often leave homeowners shocked. Luckily, the post also offers tips and tricks for keeping your energy costs in check this summer. We’ve pulled out a few of our favorites:

·         Don’t Use an Irrigation Schedule: Irrigation schedules or timers that you can set to schedule when your garden or lawn will be watered sound nice in theory, but they actually produce quite a bit of water waste. You can’t control when it rains, and you may not be home to stop your irrigation system from going off when it does. Watering manually may seem like a chore, but when you think about all the money you can save from reducing water waste, manual watering becomes more appealing.

·         Switch to LED Bulbs: While incandescent light bulbs are cheap, they use more energy and produce quite a bit of heat compared to LED bulbs. LED bulbs tend to be a little more expensive than incandescent lights, but they last longer, produce less heat and create great energy savings in the long run. So, consider making the switch the LED lights, at least in the rooms you use most, to help lower your utility bills this summer.

·         Invest in Smart Power Strips: Connecting multiple appliances to a smart power strip that can be turned off with only one flip of a switch at night when the devices aren’t being used is a quick and easy way to help reduce energy waste. When you don’t have to unplug all your devices individually, saving energy suddenly becomes much easier!

·         Time Your Thermostat: If you want to be cost conscious this summer, you shouldn’t blast your air conditioning at all hours of the day. A lower temperature setting at night and a higher setting during the day is recommended for optimal cost savings. If you’re forgetful or aren’t always around to change it, we recommend installing a programmable thermostat that allows you to schedule your temperature changes even when you aren’t home.

http://www.owningthefence.com/timely-tips-ways-to-save-on-utility-bills-this-summer/

Thanks so much!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500

Destination Farmington: Utah's New Staycation Gem

Hello Friends,

The season of summer vacations has officially arrived. While some Utahns plan relaxing getaways to exotic locations, parents are bracing themselves for long, noisy car rides interrupted only by emergency bathroom breaks.

In recent years, the stress associated with long road trips has led many families to replace their vacations with staycations, or multi-day excursions to nearby locations. And, thanks to the continued expansion of Station Park on Park Lane in Farmington, Utahns now have the perfect destination for a one-stop, park-and-stay family vacation.

A Family Fun Destination

On any given summer evening, Station Park guests will find something happening at the property’s Fountain Square, which regularly hosts concerts and kid-friendly events. The area’s impressive water feature integrates perfectly with its peaceful surroundings, which include outdoor dining patios, a fireplace, bronze sculptures, and a children’s play area. Every hour on the hour, the state-of-the-art fountain erupts into a dazzling show of water, music, and colored lights.

Families looking for more structured activities can create a stuffed toy at the Build-A-Bear Workshop, paint a plate at the As You Wish Pottery studio, or even take a cooking class at the Harmons grocery store. Onsite, a multiplex Cinemark theater, also located in Fountain Square, is available for guests hoping to catch up on the latest movies. Finally, for those that care to venture beyond the property walls, Station Park is located just across I-15 from Lagoon, Utah’s most well-known amusement park.

A Staycation Destination

Station Park on Park Lane in Farmington has long been a favorite destination of Davis County residents. With the recent addition of a 108-room Hyatt Place hotel, it has now become the perfect destination for a Utah staycation.

The new hotel offers all of the vacation essentials, including a pool, hot tub, and free breakfast. Its centralized location on the Station Park property also provides guests with convenient access to impressive family fun, dining, and shopping opportunities.

A Dining Destination

For most people, great food is an important part of any vacation itinerary and Station Park provides plenty of opportunities to eat. The property features a wide variety of dining establishments, from quaint coffee shops and quick-serve eateries to more formal, sit-down style restaurants. Local favorites include:

·         Blue Lemon

·         Caffé Torino

·         MAD Greens

·         ParkStone Wood Kitchen

·         Sushi Monster

·         Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar

·         Plus 26 more...

With so many options available, staycation guests could eat every meal at a different spot and never run out of options.

A Shopping Destination

Staycation travelers often find that by opting out of pricey airfare and other travel expenses, they have more money in the budget for a little bit of self-indulgent shopping. As a world-class fashion destination, Station Park has attracted many of the world’s biggest retail brands. The property’s charming streets are lined with more than 100 shops, including lululemon, Evereve, H&M, Justice, and Old Navy. With over 350,000 square feet of retail space, there’s sure to be something for every member of the family.

With a variety of family fun, dining, and shopping opportunities, Station Park allows guests to spend their time relaxing and having fun, exactly the way that a vacation should be spent.http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44284772&nid=1268&title=destination-farmington-utahs-new-staycation-gem

Thanks so much!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500

The Right Way to Clean Out Your Refrigerator

Hello Friends,

First things first: You’ve got to take everything out. While it’s empty, give the fridge a scrub down, then replace the remaining contents and condiments in the appropriate spot.

STEP ONE: Empty and Clean

1. EMPTY IT OUT. Remove all items and toss any that have expired. To keep them cool while you clean, stash items in a cooler.
2. SANITIZE THE DRAWERS. Take them out (shelves too, if detachable) and use an old toothbrush to apply a paste of equal parts baking soda and hot water to the corners and shelf seams. Agitate the paste to lift up grime. Scrub every side with a sponge dipped in warm, soapy water. Rinse and pat dry.
3. DEGRIME THE DRIP PAN. If your refrigerator has a removable drip pan, soak it for a few minutes in hot, soapy water, scrub with a sponge, then rinse.
4. DEODORIZE. Get rid of odors by wiping the inside walls with a microfiber cloth spritzed with an all-purpose cleaner. Wipe again using a paper towel dipped in a bowl of diluted vanilla extract.
5. REMOVE DUST. Using the brush attachment, vacuum the coils, which may be behind the refrigerator. Wipe down the grille (typically at the base) with a dryer sheet to remove and repel dust.

STEP TWO: Re-Stock

1. EGGS do best where the temperature is most consistent—on the middle shelf. Store in the original cartons (don’t transfer to the fridge egg container).
2. MILK should be on the bottom shelf, all the way in back, where it’s coldest.
3. YOGURT, SOUR CREAM, AND COTTAGE CHEESE fare best on the bottom shelf for the same reason. Stack items on a turntable to keep everything accessible and expiration dates visible.
4. PACKAGED RAW MEAT should go on the super-cold bottom shelf. And if juices drip, they won’t contaminate the whole fridge.
5. VEGETABLES stay fresh longer with a bit of humidity. The drawer labeled “vegetables” or “high humidity” is the moistest spot in the fridge. Store in the original packaging or in a plastic bag, loosely tied.
6. FRUIT belongs in the “low humidity” drawer (sometimes marked “crisper”). Keep in the original packaging or in a plastic bag, loosely tied (citrus is fine with no bag). TIP: Leave vegetables and fruits unwashed until you use them. Water can promote mold and cause bacteria to grow.
7. DELI MEATS belong in the shallow “meat” drawer, which is slightly colder than the rest of the fridge, or (if there’s no such drawer) on the bottom shelf.
8. BUTTER AND SOFT CHEESES don’t need to be super cold, so they can live in the dairy compartment on the door (the warmest part of the fridge). Place soft cheeses, like Brie and goat cheese, in an airtight container after opening them.
9. CONDIMENTS are generally high in vinegar and salt, which are natural preservatives. So ketchup, mayonnaise, and salad dressing are fine on the door. Same goes for pickles and jarred salsa. Olive and vegetable oils can remain in the pantry. But nut oils, like sesame and walnut oils, belong in the refrigerator, also on the door.
10. ORANGE JUICE can be stored on the door, as long as it’s pasteurized. Fresh-squeezed should be stored on the bottom shelf.

TIP: Fill it up (even if you never cook and only have takeout). Refrigerators need “thermal mass” (a.k.a. lots of stuff) to maintain low temperatures. Cool foods and drinks help absorb warm air that streams in when you open the door. If you’re the eat-out type or your fridge is too big for your needs, store a few jugs of water in there. https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/clean-out-the-fridge

Thanks so much!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500