More Staging Secrets to Reduce Your Stress:

"Let's Clean Out Those Closets"

Here's the second of 3 secrets that will help reduce your stress level.  One of the many reasons we have stress in our lives is clutter.  Too much clutter simply adds more work to our daily lives and causes more stress, which then creates a vicious cycle.  Which is why in today's article I'll talk about closets.

  

First, rule is don't buy anything new until you've cleaned out the closet!  After all, you've got to make room for the new by removing the old.  So, go to your closet, open it and begin ...

Step #1:  Remove anything that is worn, torn or tattered.  If it's any of those things it's not wearable.  So, put it in the 'to be thrown out' pile.  And, then make sure you throw it out!  I give you permission to throw things out!

 

Step #2:  Remove anything that is not seasonal and that you, have not

used in three months.  Store these items in a plastic container. 

Label the container with today's date and store it in the garage or basement.  Mark your calendar for three months from today.  Then, if you have not opened the plastic container in three months, don't open it at all!  Instead take it to the Good Will, (or similar charity), donate it, and don't forget to get a receipt to get a tax deduction.

Step #3:  Separate out anything that doesn't fit.  Put the items in a plastic garbage bag, take them to the Good Will, (or similar charity), and donate them.  And, again don't forget to get a receipt to get a tax deduction. 

Remember, a little bit of organization and planning will greatly decrease your level of stress.  Also, remember that it takes about 21 days to establish a new habit, so it doesn't happen over-night.  With a little bit of follow through, you can begin to eliminate the clutter, help to reduce your stress and improve your life. 

Revisting some Past Jobs on the Northshore of Chicago, and the People We Worked With

710 South Greenbay Road, Lake Forest - Michele Wilson, Coldwell Banker

We work with Michele Wilson quite frequently.  With this project we also brought in Dave Welte, Capital Maintenance Group, to help renovate this charming Jerome Cerney Cape Cod.  He can be reached at 847-975-1413.  We de-cluttered, de-personalized and touched up the decor to give this property an updated look.  This even included new carpeting in the basement.  For more details and to view photos click on 710 S. Greenbay Road.  Michele can be contacted directly at 847-217-1760.  

985 Providence, Buffalo Grove - Stewart Ramirez, Remax    

This was the first project that we worked on with Stewart.  He was so pleased that he gave us another project the following week (see below).  The homeowners of this house were real "Do-It-Yourselfers", so all they needed from us was our Home Design Recommendation Report, directions and our detailed professional advice.  For more information about and photos of this property click on 985 Providence.  Stewart can be contacted directly at 847-988-1710.

1614 North  Park, Round Lake Beach - Stewart Raimirez, Remax

 

You know how they say good things come in small packages?  Well, this house is "cute as a bug in a rug".  If you've got a "first time buyer" looking for a place that's in great condition, show them this!  The kitchen is adorable.  The homeowners were a real pleasure to work with.  For info and photos click on 1614 N. Park, or call Stewart at 847-988-1710.

24388 Tyler, Round Lake - Bob Wallen, Century 21 

This is our second project with Bob Wallen.  This project began with a Home Design Recommendation Report, and lead to quite a large project.  We de-cluttered and de-personalized, as usual, but we also suggested decor touch-ups, including painting (almost the entire place) and new carpeting in the living and dining rooms.  We also helped these homeowners begin to pack up and begin the moving process.  For information and photos of this property click on 24388 W. Tyler.

Thanks, Michele, Stewart, Bob and Dave, as always it's great working with you! 

The day we Stage it, is the day you Sell it!

Give us a call at 847-748-7777!

Tasteful Tip!

Whether they are 'selling or dwelling' many people

ask  for my advice regarding what color they should

paint the interior or exterior of their house.  Well, here's today's tasteful tip:

"If the rooms are smaller, paint them a blue or green color, these cool colors will help make the walls recede and give the illusion of a larger space."

Who We Are at Enhance Your Home, Staging & Interior Redesign, Inc.

Gayle Jussel, the "Residential Illusionist," owner of Enhance Your Home, holds an MBA, CSS, CRS and a RESA-Pro designation.

Enhance Your Home specializes in Staging for occupied & vacant properties and is an expert at Interior Redesign Services as well. 

Gayle is a member of the Lake Forest / Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce, the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce,  RESA (Real Estate Staging Association), and The Women's Council of Realtors, North Shore chapter.

"Gayle transforms ordinary homes into masterpieces which results in dramatically shorter sales cycles".  David Welte, President, Capital Maintenance Group

This all adds up to absolute confidence that Gayle Jussel, "The Residential Illusionist" will magically Stage or Redesign your home the right way, the first time and for the right price!

   

www.enhanceyourhome.net

847-748-7777

gayle@enhanceyourhome.net

Tips for Taking Photos of your House for Sale

Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

In today's  high tech Real Estate market most perspective buyer's see homes for the first time on their computer screens, not in person.  Which is why taking photos of properties that are for sale is so important.  Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.  Which is why the photos buyers see have to be great, not just okay.  If buyer's don't like the way a house looks in a photo they won't bother to get into the car and drive across town to see it.

 

If you've ever tried to take a photo of the interior of a

house you know how difficult and frustrating it can be.  A house was designed to be lived in not photographed.  So, if you can't use a professional photographer, here's 3 simple tips to taking photo that will help sell those properties!

1.  Use a wide angle lens.  When it was time for me to buy a new digital camera I researched wide angle lens.  I actually took my old camera to the store to compare.  I turned on my camera and one with a wide angle lens and looked in the view finders.  I was amazed to see the difference.  A wide angle lens really helps photograph more of the room, which will show off how large it is .. and isn't that what you want?

2.  De-Clutter first.  Always make sure to de-clutter the rooms before you take the photo.  Ask the homeowner to help you 'straighten up' by removing excess shoes, clothes, toys, magazines, newspapers and miscellansous items.  And, be on the look out for the stray garage can that always seems to end up in the middle of the room, spoiling the shot.

3.  Take different shots.  Try taking several shots of each room and then judge which one is best.  Always use the best shots, don't settle.  After all you're using a digital camera, so taking more shots isn't more expensive.  Go to each corner and take a photo.  Also, stand outside the room, with the door frame just outside the viewfinder.  Then take a 1/2 step into the room, take the shot again and check out the difference.  Or try kneeling when you take the photo.  Or stand on a foot stool.  Often times changing the angle can make a room appear larger.

4.  One of the most imperitive things when taking photos of interiors is making sure all your veritcal lines in the room are represented as vertical. Seeing warped walls and curves where they shouldn't be is not good for selling a home. We suggest not taking vertical shots. Sticking to horizontal shots makes rooms look wider, more spatious and avoids getting those long straight walls misrepresented as warped and wonky.

I hope these tips improve your photos and your sales.  And, of course if you need assistance with the de-cluttering you can always give us a call at 847-748-7777. 

Fun Faux Finishing

Many people want to do their own fun faux finishing or create a mural in their home.  But they don't know the simple ways to create and make them last.  So here's today's tasteful tip:

"If you're planning a mural or faux finish, the most important part isn't the painting - it's prepping your surface!  The first step is to clean your wall with soap, and water.  This will help make your paint adhere more completely and will make your creation last longer.  The next step is to do any necessary spackling and priming.  Once the wall dries, make sure to use a cloth that won't leave fiber residue behind.  Then you'll be all set to create your masterpiece!  Happy painting!"

- Amy Trummer, Enhance Your Home, Muralist

Helpful Tips for your Documents

What Should You Shred, and When?

When we Stage or Redesign homes, often times we discover that people have a huge amount of documents.  And, they're never quite sure when to shred or destroy them.  I found this article with some great advice, from the September 2010 issue of AARP Magazine and thought you might find it helpful ... especially with tax season fast approaching.

"Shred everything with your signature, birth date, Social Security number, account numbers, passwords or PINs. When?

1. Shred credit card statements after 45 days unless you need them for proof of purchase or for tax purposes.

2. Shred bank deposit slips, and ATM and credit card receipts as soon as the transactions appear on statements.

3. Shred bank statements, pay stubs and medical bills after one year.

and finally ...

4. Save indefinitely any paperwork that is related to taxes, mortgage payments, improvements on your home, and medical and prescription records."

I hope you find this information helpful!