Celebrity NYC Real Estate Stager Cathy Hobbs Shares Tips On Home Staging For Family Living

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Best Home Stager, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, design star, family homes, family living, Home Stager, Home Stager Training, Home Staging Course, Real Estate, Stager Training

As many New Yorkers yearn to stay in The Big Apple, developers and sellers are taking notice. These days, the search for a family-sized apartment is no longer limited to trying to reconfigure an oversized 2-bedroom, but an offering of true “family-sized” residences, which allow a family to truly “live large.”

Typically, family-sized apartments are considered to be those that are 3-bedroom and above, which are often difficult to find. What is important to remember when looking for a family residence, is to evaluate potential and value. A potential buyer should not only evaluate “what they see, but what a space could be,” which is why home staging to appeal to family living is unique. When staging to appeal to a family, keep the following tips in mind:

• Think function first—how a family would want to use the space
• Create distinct areas for family entertainment and lounging
• Create child-friendly spaces, such as a children’s room or playroom
• Select furniture that allows a space to feel spacious and roomy
• Create a space that feels “grown-up” but family-friendly at the same time

What I have found to be most refreshing is that the inventory of family-sized apartments isn’t just limited to Manhattan. Recently, the marketing savvy real estate team at Brooklyn Bridge Realty, that includes brokers Saul Retig, Jean Austin, Ellen Gottlieb, and James Stubbs, asked me to stage one of their “super-star” family-sized listings.

The property, 111 Steuben Street, Unit 6A in Brooklyn, is simply stunning and perfect for family-style living. Priced at $1,800,000, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath residence boasts nearly 1,900 square feet of indoor space and a phenomenal 3,077 square feet of outdoor space! The apartment also comes with the bonus possibility of two indoor parking spaces—a real perk when you consider a family may have more than one vehicle. Building amenities include a game room, fitness room, and cold storage room for groceries.

This real estate gem, located in the neighborhood of Clinton Hill in the shadow of the prestigious art school Pratt Institute, is a true find and comes with a price tag that may appeal to many families priced out of other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Across the bridge, the cost of family-sized living is a little pricier but still comes with incredible potential. Located not far from the United Nations and the convenience of Midtown, one can find 5-bedroom residences like the condominium I recently staged for Angela Rapoport, of The Corcoran Group. Priced at $6,000,000, 255 East 49th Street, Penthouse A, is a true megalisting with a wealth of space and potential.

A true marketing expert, Rapoport believed home staging was critical to her marketing strategy and secured my services prior to listing the property for sale. What makes this property and other family-sized properties like it so appealing is a family’s ability to “make it their own.” Space, value and potential, as well as home staging that allows a family to envision themselves in a space, is what I believe often secures the sale and helps seal the deal.

Family sized 3-bedroom apartment staged by Cathy Hobbs, http://www.cathyhobbs.com (111 Steuben Street, Penthouse 6A)

Family sized 3-bedroom apartment staged by Cathy Hobbs, http://www.cathyhobbs.com (111 Steuben Street, Penthouse 6A)

Family sized 3-bedroom apartment staged by Cathy Hobbs, http://www.cathyhobbs.com (111 Steuben Street, Penthouse 6A)

Family sized 3-bedroom apartment staged by Cathy Hobbs, http://www.cathyhobbs.com (111 Steuben Street, Penthouse 6A)

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National Home Staging Expert Cathy Hobbs Weighs In On Virginia Home Real Estate Sales Figures

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affordable decorating, Affordable Decorating Ideas, ARLINGTON, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, home sales, home selling, Home Stager, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, home staging tips, Home Staging Training, national association of realtors, Real Estate, selling a home, Sun Gazette, VIRGINIA, virginia real estate agent

As a National Trainer for Certified Staging Professionals the leading international home staging certification training academy. I have taught their 3-day certification course several times in Arlington, Virginia which is a suburb of Washington, D.C. The course is mostly attended by real estate agents, interior designers, professional organizers and interior designers interested in starting a home staging business.  What they all agree with and have shared with me is that when it comes to selling a home in the Northern Virginia market, with so much inventory available a property truly needs to have an “it” factor to stand out from the crowd.  In January I created a list of my “Top 10” Home Staging Tips for 2012. I wanted to share them again, as they are easy, affordable and will certainly help any home seller sell their home for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time. Hope it helps! And Happy Selling!!

Cathy

Cathy’s Top Home Staging Tips

1. Clear the clutter–this sounds simple enough, but if your home is not free of excess furniture and clutter it will simply take longer to sell.

2. Check the price — most buyers make decisions in large part based on price.  It is critical that your home is priced correctly.

3. Shop the competition— I suggest to a lot of my sellers that they go to open houses and really see what their competition has to offer.

4. Neutralize and de-personalize — you want potential home buyers to feel that it could be their home, not your home.

5. Make minor repairs- now is not the time to skimp. Paint those steps that haven’t been painted in years or replace that front door. Your will be glad you did!

6. Hire a cleaning crew-it is imperative that your home is spic and span, especially kitchens and bathrooms.

7. Rent furniture or purchase accessories if necessary--sometimes it isn’t about the fact that your home is furnished, but what kind of furniture it is furnished with. When marketing your property you want to make sure that the furniture and accessories to not come across as outdated or inappropriate.

8. Paint--I have never seen a property that did not benefit from fresh coat of paint when it came time to sell.

9. Don’t forget curb appeal-– remember many potential buyers will judge the inside of a home by what they see on the outside. Make sure the landscaping is well kept as well as exterior elements such as shutters, front doors and driveways.

10. Hire a Certified Staging Professional (CSP) to stage your home–you wouldn’t perform surgery on yourself so why would you not trust your biggest asset your home to a professional.

Va. Home Sales Showing Possibility of Recovery

by SCOTT McCAFFREY, Staff Writer Sun Gazette Newspapers

When should a tie be counted as a win? In the case of Virginia’s real estate market, when sales from 2011 held up fairly well compared to transactions a year before.

A total of 83,748 residential properties changed hands across the Old Dominion last year, according to figures reported by the Virginia Association of Realtors (VAR), up slightly from the 83,561 sales recorded in 2010.

More importantly, the 2011 sales figures held up even without the federal tax credit for home-buyers that helped prop up the market a year before.

If overall economic conditions continue to improve – obviously a big “if” – then “there is reasonable hope for an improved housing market in 2012,” VAR officials said in remarks accompanying the sales data.

Sales across Virginia in the fourth quarter of 2011 totaled 18,715, up slightly from the 18,513 recorded a year. Sales were essentially flat, compared to a year before, in all three months: October, November and December.

For the fourth quarter, total sales were up in every geographic region across the commonwealth except the biggie: In Northern Virginia, sales were down 9.1 percent, to 8,221. (In VAR parlance, “Northern Virginia” includes a huge swath of territory, much larger than the more traditional inner and outer suburbs of Washington, D.C.)

Sales were up 12.9 percent in the Hampton Roads area, 9.8 percent in Roanoke/Lynchburg/Blacksburg, 9.6 percent in Greater Richmond, 9.4 percent in Southwest Virginia, 8.3 percent in the Central Valley and 2.4 percent in Southside.

The average sales price of all homes sold across Virginia in the fourth quarter was $220,000, down from $233,000 a year before.

But “given that Virginia has seen two quarters of consecutive increases in the pace of annualized home sales, we may see prices stabilize in 2012,” VAR official said.

Average prices were down in all seven reporting areas, from a low of 0.2 percent in Northern Virginia to a high of 8.5 percent in Greater Richmond. Average sales prices were $309,995 in Northern Virginia, $195,000 in the Central Valley, $194,000 in Hampton Roads, $171,548 in Central Richmond, $150,000 in Roanoke/Lynchburg/Blacksburg, $120,000 in Southwest Virginia and $84,000 in Southside Virginia.

The median sales price for all homes in Virginia continues well above the comparable national figure, standing at $220,200 in November vs. a national total (for existing homes) of $164,200.

Total sales volume for all Virginia residential properties sold in the fourth quarter was $5.18 billion, down from $5.43 billion a year before. The average number of days homes spent on the market before finding a buyer was 100 in the fourth quarter, up from 91 a year before.

 

HOME STAGING: Celebrity Interior Designer & Home Stager Cathy Hobbs Shares Affordable Home Staging Tips “Shop Your House”

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ARLINGTON, Best Home Stager, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Epoch Times, Home Stager, Home Stager Training, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, New York City, New York City's Top Stager, real estate stager, VA, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON

In this economy it is more important than ever for home sellers to be able to sell their homes without spending a “bundle”.  “Shopping your home” can be a feasible alternative for those looking to stage on a budget.

A living room after staging and styling by Cathy Hobbs. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Hobbs)

As home staging always means highlighting the positives and downplaying the negatives, the overall visual presentation is key. Because many homes that are staged are owner occupied, a stager will either ask the home seller to remove a number of pieces in order to rent, or in some cases purchase, replacement furnishings.

Or, what happens more often in this economy is to use furniture a home seller already owns. I call the process “shopping the house” when I set out on a treasure hunt to see what items a homeowner may have hidden in a closet, attic, or in simply another room.

A living room before staging. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Hobbs)

It may be hard for home sellers to “re-imagine” their home using items they already own, which is where a Certified Staging Professional comes in.

Recently, while teaching the three-day Certified Staging Professionals course in Arlington, Va., my students and I executed a dramatic before-and-after transformation without spending a single penny! Before the staging, an attached home in Arlington (a suburb of Washington, D.C.) was lingering on the market. Upon entry, I quickly noticed a home that was full of “stuff” but void of life. There were rooms with no clear function, some used as storage areas and poorly laid out.

In “shopping the house” we first went in search for large attractive furniture items we could use to create a solid floor plan and flow, and then from there fill in the gaps with accessories and artwork.

A bedroom after staging and styling by Cathy Hobbs. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Hobbs)

We also wanted to make sure each room sent the message of being functional and spacious. As all of the walls in the main living areas were white, we wanted to create a neutral color palette in order to appeal to the largest amount of potential buyers while also adding a sense of vibrancy and color to the space, which we did using artwork and accessories.

“Shopping the house” is a technique I was asked to use when the producers of the nationally syndicated program The Nate Berkus Show asked me to stage a home for a Connecticut home seller. “Shopping

The same bedroom with some of the same furniture, before staging. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Hobbs)

the house” not only saves money but can truly be an opportunity to refresh and renew.

My approach to interior design and home staging is based on my overall design vision and philosophy behind my brand design recipes, determining how a potential user needs to live and function in the space, while also creating an environment that is aesthetically pleasing and appeals to the largest audience.

To execute this staging, here’s my design recipe:
• Pack away all unused items
• Determine a floor plan
• “Shop the house” for your largest items first
• Select pieces that coordinate, but do not necessarily “match”
• Fill in rooms with art and accessories
• Incorporate color through accessories and accents
• Step back, evaluate, edit if necessary

Cathy Hobbs, ASID, LEED AP, CSP

Five-time Emmy award-winning television personality Cathy Hobbs is the founder of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes™, a New York City-based firm specializing in interior design, home staging, and home-staging training. A nationally known design expert, Cathy was a finalist on Season 6 of HGTV’s hit reality series Design Star. Cathy is currently traveling around the country as an instructor for Certified Staging Professionals, teaching their prestigious three-day certification course. www.cathyhobbs.com.

NYC Celebrity Interior Designer Home Stager Cathy Hobbs Gives Her Top 10 Staging Tips For 2012!

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affordable decorating, Affordable Decorating Ideas, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, home selling, Home Staging, home staging tips, Real Estate, selling a home

First of all Happy New Year! The New Year to me always brings a time to reflect and put a new set of goals in motion. If you are one of thousands of home owners with a home on the market that isn’t selling, home staging is not only an option for you but simply a necessity.  Here are some of my top tips to start the New Year with prosperity and hopefully a sale!

Cathy’s Top Home Staging Tips

1. Clear the clutter–this sounds simple enough, but if your home is not free of excess furniture and clutter it will simply take longer to sell.

2. Check the price — most buyers make decisions in large part based on price.  It is critical that your home is priced correctly.

3. Shop the competition— I suggest to a lot of my sellers that they go to open houses and really see what their competition has to offer.

4. Neutralize and de-personalize — you want potential home buyers to feel that it could be their home, not your home.

5. Make minor repairs- now is not the time to skimp. Paint those steps that haven’t been painted in years or replace that front door. Your will be glad you did!

6. Hire a cleaning crew-it is imperative that your home is spic and span, especially kitchens and bathrooms.

7. Rent furniture or purchase accessories if necessary--sometimes it isn’t about the fact that your home is furnished, but what kind of furniture it is furnished with. When marketing your property you want to make sure that the furniture and accessories to not come across as outdated or inappropriate.

8. Paint--I have never seen a property that did not benefit from fresh coat of paint when it came time to sell.

9. Don’t forget curb appeal-– remember many potential buyers will judge the inside of a home by what they see on the outside. Make sure the landscaping is well kept as well as exterior elements such as shutters, front doors and driveways.

10. Hire a Certified Staging Professional (CSP) to stage your home–you wouldn’t perform surgery on yourself so why would you not trust your biggest asset your home to a professional.

Celebrity Interior Designer NYC Home Stager Emmy Award Winning Cathy Hobbs of HGTV Design Star To Teach Certified Staging Professionals Course At Las Positas College Near San Francisco, California

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CA, California, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, Continuing Education Course, Home Stager, Home Stager Training, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, Las Positas College, Livemore, Pleasanton, SAN FRANCISCO

I am pleased to announce the addition of teaching the prestigious 3-Day Certified Staging Professionals home staging course at Las Positas College near San Francisco, California to my teaching schedule. Three classes scheduled between now and October beginning in April! Contact 888-STAGING or http://www.stagingtraining.com to learn more!

UPCOMING LAS POSITAS COLLEGE COURSES

APRIL 27-29 2012
JULY 28-20 2012
OCTOBER 13-15 2012

HOME STAGING: Celebrity Interior Designer & Home Stager Cathy Hobbs Shares Tips “Uncovering a Real Estate Gem”

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Best Home Stager, Certified Staging Professional, Home Stager, Home Stager Training, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, New York City, New York City's Top Stager, real estate stager

Staging Success Story: Uncovering a Real Estate Gem

By Cathy Hobbs, ASID

Uncovering the architectural “bones” of a space is the key to design and staging success. As an ASID Interior Designer and Certified Staging Professional (CSP), with years of education and experience under my belt, I approach each staging as a challenge in design.

My “design recipe” is to always sift through the clutter, ignore the obvious flaws, and uncover the hidden real estate gem that I know lies beneath. Many folks also know me as an interior designer and television personality from such programs as The Nate Berkus Show and HGTV’s Design Star. My approach to staging and design is indeed rooted in always paying attention to the visuals while also incorporating design elements such as function, which I believe is the key to successfully selling real estate. If a potential buyer can’t see the beauty of a space, it’s game over.

One of the more challenging stagings I have experienced really put my design skills to the test. Broker Scott Harris of Brown Harris Stevens, after trying unsuccessfully for 6 months to sell a 7-room, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath with maid’s room on the Upper West Side, hired me and my team at Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes.

To say that the apartment lacked show appeal is being kind. Knowing the challenges of the current real estate market, Harris put the property on the market as soon as the seller was ready, despite the property still being occupied by renters. There were no takers.

A living room after staging (Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes)

Despite the hidden positives, the apartment had numerous, obvious negatives. The whole apartment needed a makeover, from a living room that was full of mismatched and unattractive furniture, to a dining room that was used as a makeshift office, a messy maid’s room, and other bedrooms that were dingy and full of clutter. On top of it all, potential buyers felt that they were in a time capsule that was stuck in the early 80s.

I was brought in with the hope I could deliver a real estate resuscitation. The apartment had gorgeous original details, such as 1930s doorknobs, bullet hinges, and St. Charles Cabinets in the kitchen. This Art Deco masterpiece may have needed a renovation but the “bones” were visible if a potential buyer cared to look.

The staging work involved editing, editing, and more editing, having the renter remove everything from the apartment in order to create a clean canvas. My selection of neutral paint colors and suggestion to replace all of the electrical receptacles and light switches in the residence instantly created an image of freshness.

A living room before staging (Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes)

As the seller had a budget to fully stage the residence, rental furniture and elegant accessories provided the additional sparkle. Once attractive, stylish furniture pieces were in place, buyers began to feel the beauty of the apartment’s Emery Roth-designed layout.

What made this a “staging success” was how quickly the staging turned a property that was “stale” into a sale. Within one week of the staging, the seller received multiple offers close to the asking price.

My approach to interior design and home staging is based on my overall design vision and philosophy behind my brand design recipes, determining how a potential user needs to live and function in the space, while also creating an environment that is aesthetically pleasing and always incredibly beautiful.

To execute this staging, here’s my design recipe:
• Remove all clutter
• Pack away any and all unnecessary items and furnishings
• Apply a fresh coat of paint
• Replace light bulbs with higher wattage bulbs
• Replace light switches and receptacle covers
• Clean and steam carpets
• Hire a professional cleaning crew
• Make minor repairs
• Incorporate furniture and accessories that show function

Luckily not only did brokers return to see the apartment after the staging, but so did buyers. In fact, one of the offers on the residence was from someone who had previously viewed the property. Staging helped to polish this pre-war gem, so that potential buyers could finally see all this spacious apartment had to offer from the moment they walked through the front door.

Cathy Hobbs

Five-time Emmy award-winning television personality Cathy Hobbs is the founder of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes™, a New York City-based firm specializing in interior design and home staging. A nationally known design expert, Cathy was a finalist on Season 6 of HGTV’s hit reality series Design Star. Cathy is currently traveling around the country as an instructor for Certified Staging Professionals, teaching their prestigious 3-day certification course. http://www.cathyhobbs.com.

HOME STAGING COURSES: CELEBRITY INTERIOR DESIGNER & HOME STAGER CATHY HOBBS OF HGTV DESIGN STAR ANNOUNCES HER REMAINING HOME STAGING COURSES FOR 2011!

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ARLINGTON, baltimore, Best Home Stager, BOSTON, Broker, CALIFORRNIA, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, COLUMBIA, D.C., DETROIT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, FARGO, florida, GREENVILLE, Home Stager, Home Stager Training, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, LAS VEGAS, LONG ISLAND, LOS ANGELES, maryland, MASSACHUSETS, MIAMI, MICHIGAN, NASHVILLE, NASSAU COUNTY, nevada, NORTH DAKOTA, PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, SAN FRANCISCO, SOUTH CAROLINA, Stager Training, TAMPA, TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON

HELLO EVERYONE!

As we wind down 2011 and look to the future and 2012, there are only a few opportunities left to take one of my Home Staging Courses taught through CERTIFIED STAGING PROFESSIONALS (CSP).

What better way to kick off the New Year than to be certified as a home stager and begin your business as a Certified Staging Professional!

Here are the remaining cities and dates for 2011. Be sure to also find my full schedule at http://homestagertraining.wordpress.com or http://www.stagingtraining.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA (ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA)

NOVEMBER 28-30

PHILADELPHIA, PA

DECEMBER 3-5

MIAMI, FLORIDA

DECEMBER 16-18

 

VIDEO CLIP: HOW TO START A HOME STAGING BUSINESS

CLICK BELOW TO RECEIVE A FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE!

Washington Home & Garden Magazine Features Upcoming Certified Staging Professionals Course In Arlington, VA With Cathy Hobbs Of HGTV Design Star

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ASID, Best Home Stager, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, D.C., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Home Stager, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, Interior Design, LEED AP. Celebrity Interior Designer, Stager Training, VIRGINIA

HGTV Design Star Finalist Cathy Hobbs is bringing her home staging course to the DC-area this month!

The Certified Staging Professional™ workshop is an intensive, comprehensive program taught through hands-on interaction, group exercises, role-play and in depth practical application of work samples geared to prepare the participants to enter the staging industry with the confidence and experience necessary to succeed.
WHERE: Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge
1900 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 703-807-2000. Meeting Room: Potomac

WHEN:
November 30th – December 2nd HOW: To sign up for a staging class with Cathy Hobbs please visit www.stagingtraining.com or call 888-STAGING.

I was able to get an exclusive interview with the designer to learn more about her background. Read more after the photo!

Cathy Hobbs ASID/LEED AP

HGTV Design Star Finalist Cathy Hobbsis bringing her home staging course to the DC-area this month!The Certified Staging Professional™ workshop is an intensive, comprehensive program taught through hands-on interaction, group exercises, role-play and in depth practical application of work samples geared to prepare the participants to enter the staging industry with the confidence and experience necessary to succeed. WHERE: Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge 1900 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 703-807-2000. Meeting Room: Potomac WHEN: November 30th – December 2nd HOW: To sign up for a staging class with Cathy Hobbs please visit www.stagingtraining.com or call 888-STAGING. I was able to get an exclusive interview with the designer to learn more about her background. Read more after the photo! Q: How has your experience in broadcast news influenced your experience in interior design? I was in broadcast news for 19 years, and in television especially, it’s all about the visuals.. telling a story with pictures. Having this background as really helped me tremendously with my interior design. First, it always allows me to be able to step back and truly visualize a space and focus not only on the big picture, but the fine details as well. Interior design is at it’s core, visual, so my background in television has truly helped a lot. Q: You are the first Green Home Stager in New York City. How important is sustainable design in NYC, compared to other cities? I am not sure New York City residents are more interested in sustainable design, but it is definitely a trend here. Beginning in about 2006 as new development condominium buildings were being built, many developers were looking for sustainable options, such as using recycled materials, having green roods, even down to the selection of fixtures for the bathrooms and kitchens. Much of my business is focused on new developments in New York City, designing common spaces such as lobbies, children’s rooms and gyms as well as model residences. So when my clients were looking for green alternatives, I was the company selected because of my LEED credential. Q: What do you see as the biggest mistake that homeowners make when decorating their homes? Mistake #1 Problem: Hanging artwork too high Solution: Eye level is at 5 feet.  The center point of a piece of artwork should be hung at 5 feet above the finished floor.  Adjustments up or down a couple inches may be needed but I consider this to be my general rule of thumb. Mistake #2 Problem: Painted Ceilings Solution: I tend to always leave my ceilings white, in order to help visually raise the height of a room.  While I am not completely opposed to painting a ceiling a color, people often fail to realize that a painted ceiling automatically visually reduces the height of a room. I recommend painted ceilings only if one if looking to create a certain mood or sense of coziness. Mistake #3 Problem: Decorating with too many colors Solution: I love color!  And love using color,  but as a general rule of thumb I tend to encourage people to design with (1) neutral color to be used a general wall or fabric color for upholstered pieces and then to use (2-3) accent colors that can be incorporated into accessories such as pillows, area rugs, artwork, pottery and vessels.  I also remind clients that is o.k. to create a design scheme, using shades and tones of the same color. Mistake #4 Problem: Purchasing furniture that is too big or too small for a particular space Solution: As basic as this may sound, so many people fail to measure and even loosely create a floor plan before purchasing furniture. I can not tell you how many times I have walked into rooms overstuffed with furniture..or pieces that are just to large or too small for a particular space. I suggest that before shopping always create some sort of floor plan even roughly on graph paper ..counting the squares in order to create your own scale, so that you know in advance whether or not a particular piece of furniture will fit. Mistake #5 Problem: Purchasing “sets” of furniture Solution:  I find that purchasing the “5-piece” set, seldom results in a successful interior design solution.  Purchasing sets tends to make a space look like a showroom instead of a home. I believe beyond bedroom sets, in which I tend to suggest clients purchase only lets say a bed, nightstands and perhaps (1) case good such as a dresser, purchasing “sets” are a no no.  I believe it is a far better option to purchase one main primary, solid quality, well designed piece of furniture, and create a design scheme around it. Q: How essential is quality home staging when putting a house on the market? A staged home has great appeal, enticing buyers inside, where they will see the best view of each room and the best traffic pattern throughout the home.  Further, a staged home is also in its best showcase, mint condition, so that it sells at the best possible price in the shortest possible time, an un-staged home does not. Staging before placing the house on the market, even before the “broker tour,” is ideal because realtors, as much as potential buyers, want to be “wowed”, and will be! A  staged house will stand out from the competition. Realtors will want to show it to their clients, increasing traffic to your listing and speeding its sale. Q: We love your Design Recipes! What inspired the idea? Thank you! I invented Design Recipes based on my overwhelming desire to make my designs approachable and affordable.  I was inspired to become an interior designer based on the fact that when I was a young reporter coming up I was virtually making no money.  I shopped in thrift stores and at flea markets and would go on wonderful treasure hunts for furniture and accessories!  I would have loved to be able to have the advice or tips from a professional designer without the big price tag.  That’s what design recipes is all about providing practical, affordable tips that any design enthusiast can apply to their own home.  Design Recipes feature a room on the front with the “ingredients” of how the room came together, similar to recipe instructions and on the back is all of the resource information! Design Recipes the website www.design-recipes.com has also expanded to include free recipes, a blog, design tips, videos and will soon feature podcasts.  More than 300 recipes are available on the website. –Caitlin Brown

HGTV Design Star Finalist Cathy Hobbs To Teach Home Staging Course In Washington, D.C. Area (Arlington, Virginia) NOV 30-DEC 2ND

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ARLINGTON, ASID, Best Home Stager, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, CSP, D.C., Design Recipes, design star, Home Stager, Home Staging, Home Staging Course, New York City, New York City's Top Stager, real estate stager, Stager Training, VIRGINIA

It’s almost time! I am so excited to be returning to the Washington, D.C. area where I was a reporter for NBC WRC-TV from 1994-1997. I am thrilled to be teaching the prestigious Certified Staging Professionals course, training aspiring stagers on the skills necessary to start, build and grow their businesses. Here are the details for the upcoming Arlington, Virginia course (just over the bridge from Georgetown), it’s not too late to sign up .. you can learn more by calling 888-STAGING.

 

Fab Over Fifty Features Design Tips From Celebrity NYC Interior Designer National Home Staging Expert Cathy Hobbs

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affordable decorating, Affordable Design, ARLINGTON, baltimore, Cathy Hobbs, Certified Staging Professional, CSP, Green Design, Home Stager, Home Staging Course, LEED AP. Celebrity Interior Designer, MIAMI, real estate stager, Stager Training

Fab Over Fifty.com Features Celebrity Interior Designer HGTV Design Star Finalist Cathy Hobbs