Staging Boosts Home Sales: BizLinc Magazine Authored by: Monica Boland  -  Published in: Bizlinc.netCreated on: 2009-12-14 Staging Boosts Home Sales, Strengthens Real Estate Market in Northern Virginia The flourishing home staging industry is assisting the real estate market in boosting home sales. Washington area staging companies in particular are enjoying tremendous success, expediting the sale of staged homes to the relief of agents and sellers alike.Home staging is simply the aesthetic preparation of homes on the market through improved interior design. Stagers are akin to interior decorators in their use of furniture, rugs, artwork and other accessories to highlight the best qualities of a home. But, the role of stagers goes above and beyond decorating: stagers recreate the look ... 01/04/2010

Everyone needs a top 10 list for their blog. I think it's a blogging rule or something. I've never been one to follow the crowd so I'm doing a top 8 list instead. So without further ado, here is my top 8 list of things that I think are the best things for younger (think under age 6 or so) kids in Salem Oregon...in no particular order.     8. A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village. We locals call this the Gilbert House. They changed the name to Discovery Village a few years ago, but old names die hard. With the infamous "bubble room" this is a great place for kids. Trying to find something to keep 3 year olds occupied during our rainy months can be hard. It runs around $50 for a one year membership and we were members for several years when our children were small. That $50 will also get you int... 01/01/2010

  SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AND HOMES FOR SALE - Tips for Selling Your Home-Part 2-The Bathroom SALEM AREA HOME SELLER'S TIPS FOR GETTING YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOME IN THIS SALEM, OREGON REAL ESTATE MARKET.   THE BATHROOM PART 2. Welcome to Part 2 of The Bathroom!! In Part 1 I talked about cleaning the vanity, cabinets and drawers, and also suggested some repairs that you may need to consider when selling your home. In Part 2 we are going to address some other tips to make your bathrooms sparkle and appeal to buyers. Buyers will notice a filthy shower, and nothing turns a buyer off quicker. So, spend some time here. Remove personal items - cleanser, shampoo and conditioner, shave cream, razor, body sponges - from the shower/tub area. Discard items that are unnecessary and store the re... 12/30/2009

The United States have has seen a definete movement toward energy efficiency and "going greeN.  As part of my business model I try to stay on top of and educate myself on the very latest in information that is out there in regards to home inspections, building science, home maintenance, appliances and so on.  A large part of this education recently has been a “green” movement that hopes to do more with less and improve efficiencies in general. One of these brand new technologies has to do with clothes drying.  This technology, unlike most “green” innovations actually is cost effective.  It is relatively inexpensive and it can even pay for itself in a few short months. (unlike most other “green” products) I am happy to share this wonderful advancement I spotted in Salem, Oregon with you... 12/30/2009

Carpenter ants. They are just one of the three big players in the wood destroying insect world around Salem, Oregon. Or the pest part of a "Pest and Dry rot" Inspection. Overall carpenter ants are relatively easy to control but this control does require some environmental adjustment and future vigilance. One of the most common conditions that cause ant activity is Bark dust/mulch. Bark dust is used in this area as a mulch to beautify flower beds, limit rain splash and stifle weed growth. Another thing that a thick layer of this stuff does is it provides a very favorable home to carpenter ants. The large bulk piles the suppliers have are usually filed with ant nests and when your neighbor gets a large pile delivered you had better watch out! The nest that was harmless in the bulk pile is... 12/29/2009

With in the last 10 years the siding products that are available have gotten significantly better.  With the popularity of the cementatious boards siding deterioration issues have become less and less.  There are still plenty of homes that have the wood chip composite boards out there.  Here is some more information on this type of siding: Wood chip siding has been around for many years but in the late 80’s and early 90’s a certain type of OSB (Oriented Strand Board) siding really became popular around Salem, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.  The type that really had issues was the lap type made by Louisiana Pacific (LP).  This product had an adhesive that did not resist moisture effectively, and because proper sealing with primer and paint and continued home owner maintenance cannot ... 12/29/2009

Part 1 and Part 2 were to be about the terms: “pest and dry rot.” I detailed what the inspection was about and what the term “pest” might mean. Now I will try to describe the term “dry rot.” Wood destroying Fungus on a Salem Oregon Home Inspection In the real estate world any rot or deterioration refers to dry rot. The term is a bit confusing because all fungal deterioration requires moisture. The term dry rot actually refers a very specialized fungus that actually consumes wood that is dry or does not have a available water source.  The fungus actually grows hyphie (root like structures) up to 8 feet long! These root structures reach out from the dry piece of wood into the ground and collect and shuttle water to the dry piece of wood. This type of fungus is very unusual around Salem, ... 12/27/2009

  SALEM AREA HOME SELLERS! HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR GETTING YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOME! THE BATHROOM PART 1. I am starting a new series of articles based on my Seller Newsletters full of tips for selling your Salem area home for top dollar even in the current Salem Oregon Real Estate Market. If you would like to be added to my free newsletter list, please contact me, and I will get you added right away. We are going to start this series off with the bathrooms. When a house is on the market, it becomes less the owner's home and more of a display item. Nowhere is this more important to remember than in the bathroom. Buyers don't want to see the seller's personal hygiene items, moldy remnants of steamy showers, or a soap scum-covered collection of empty shampoo bottles. They want to be con... 12/22/2009

There are old home buyers and there are new home buyers.  New home buyers cringe at the thought of the old wooden windows rattling in the house, hold their shirts over their noses at the thought of lead paint in the house, and think "money pit" when they see an old house. Old home buyers see the incredible mill work and know that it would cost $50,000 to replicate that kind of craftsmanship today.  They get lost in the arches, glass door knobs, and built-ins and think "they don't build them like they used to."  If you are an old home buyer and want to look for a house in the Salem Oregon area, then there are a few neighborhoods where you would want to concentrate your effort. Now remember, Oregon is a young state compared to the east coast, so a home built in 1905 is pretty old out here... 12/22/2009

Spacious home on .42 acre! 1925 Hoffman Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305 View Map Looking for a a home with elbow room and a Dream kitchen? Private and spacious sound appealing? Look no further! Beautiful major update just completed by a professional builder. High end kitchen appliances. . One office located in home and another Executive office located in detached garage/shop. Need dual living? Easy to convert executive office to a one bed apt. Private yard features deck, pond, waterfall and fire pit. Come see this amazing home! Contact Judy Quillin of RE/MAX EQUITY GROUP (503) 559-8643 Margaret Oscilia | Home Staging and Redesign Specialist | Creative Concepts and Contracting Cell 503-881-0886 | Email | Website 12/19/2009

What is “pest and dry rot?” Good question right? Seriously I am a home inspector, shouldn’t I know to what these terms are referring? The words, “pest and dry rot,” are really confusing to this poor home inspector. What exactly is a pest? I know a family here in Salem, Oregon that has the south side of their home covered in box elder bugs every year! They do not do any damage to the home (they eat tree sap) but they definitely qualify as pests. To limit the confusion with these terms I try to not use them. I will always trade P&D with WDO (wood destroying organism report). Spiders, box elderbugs, nosy neighbors can all be terrible pests however they will not destroy your home. Carpenter ants, wood boring beetles, termites, fungal deterioration will be part of my report and they are wha... 12/18/2009

Pest and Dry Rot.  These are items that seem to be pretty straight forward, but if you look at the actual definition of these terms even I start to get confused! Pest and Dry Rot is an unbelievably ambiguous term that gets thrown around a lot during the course of a real estate transaction.  To limit the amount of confusion lets dissect the parts and expectations of a Pest and Dry Rot inspection: Most of the time, around Salem, Oregon the “P and D,” is what loan companies want to see (if anything) as far as the inspections.  So right from the start, things can get weird.  Unlike an appraiser I, the home inspector, do not work for the loan company.  My contract is with my clients (usually the buyers) and I do an inspection for my client’s benefit.  I do not care about what a loan company... 12/12/2009

It's been cold here in Salem Oregon for the past week.  I guess that has been a good thing since it forced me to stay inside and work on my market reports for Salem and Keizer.  It was just too cold to go hang outside and do anything....     The good news is that the volume of homes sold in Salem Oregon in November 2009, really couldn't get any worse than last year.  Pretty much could only go up from there.    Read about the November 2009 Salem Oregon real estate market.   As for Keizer?  Well it stayed its normal flat and relatively boring self.    Read about the November 2009 Keizer Oregon real estate market.   The good news is that the real estate market is showing signs of stabilization in the Salem Oregon metro area.  Too soon to call, but there are some good signs. 12/08/2009

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-WHAT A DIFFERENCE A "STAGE" MAKES-HOMESTAGING, THAT IS! SALEM OREGON HOME SELLERS, COULD STAGING BE THE ANSWER TO GET YOUR HOME SOLD? SEE THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES FOR YOURSELVES..... AND YOU DECIDE If you are currently a SALEM OREGON HOME SELLER, or thinking seriously about putting your home on the market, I am sure you are aware of the fact that in the current SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE MARKET your home must be the best home, at the best price. There is competition all around you, and your home needs to stand out as the BEST HOME in that price range! Now, I am going to fess up right now.... In the past, I have not been a huge fan of home staging because my listings sold within a short time after putting them on the market. The last couple of years have shown... 11/16/2009

So do you want the good news, the good news, or the good news first... You pick the good news? Cool. It's no secret to Salem Oregon real estate agents that October was busy. We all had to figure out how to get out of pajamas and actually write contracts last month.   The good news...median home price was down (I know I'm weird that I think that is good news) The good news...Salem Oregon homes sales were up 31% over last October The good news...the current home inventory as I write is 6.1 months for Salem Oregon.  Read more about the current real estate market conditions in Salem Oregon. 11/14/2009

As I meet with potential clients the question always comes up about price. I remind them that Price equals a Sale. Though we are supposed to get the best possible price for our Seller, it is also our responsibility to guide them into the right price bracket. In Salem there is a ton of available inventory, but what sets our homes apart from the others? Price!!!! The numbers don't lie, and if we keep the price realistic than we are taking care of our clients. Realistic pricing leads to less days on market. This in turn, will put more money into the back pocket of our clients. 11/08/2009

SALEM OREGON HOMES FOR SALE HAS GREAT NEWS FOR SALEM OREGON HOME  BUYERS AND SELLERS-THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT WAS OFFICIALLY EXTENDED TODAY, AND NOW INCLUDES SOME HOME SELLERS THAT WILL BE BUYERS!! Earlier today President Obama signed the unemployment bill which also includes an extension for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, and a new tax credit for sellers who will also be home buyers once they sell, if they qualify. Here is a basic rundown of what exactly this means to Salem Oregon Home Buyers and Salem Oregon Home Sellers: Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010. Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April... 11/06/2009

I recently returned from a deployment overseas. As I get back into today's market I am excited for those Veterans that are looking for a new home. Our Veterans are experiencing more support and benefits than ever. The new GI Bill has been upgraded, and pay increases jumped over three percent in 2009. A pay increase is scheduled for this upcoming January, and because of this I am sure that there will be more military members and Veterans looking for a home. As Veterans Day approaches, make sure to thank those that you know who have served as I am sure that they will truly appreciate it.                                                         11/05/2009

Wondering what home improvements you should  do before putting your home on the market? Which ones will be noticed the most?  If you invest in improvements can you recoup your investment? HomeGain.com regularly conducts a home improvement survey.  This survey has been a guide for thousands of home sellers when preparing their home for sale.  Following is an excerpt from the report that was released today: HomeGain recently conducted a new survey of top 12 low cost*, do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvements for people getting their home ready to sell. The top five nationwide home improvements that Realtors recommend to home sellers, based on average cost and return on investment (ROI) to sellers, are: Cleaning and de-cluttering ($200 cost / $1,700 price increase / 872% ROI / 98% recommende... 11/05/2009

We get asked all the time “where do you shop for such cute things?” For over a year we’ve been counting on Real Deals in Portland to have just the “right thing” – and have bought tons from their darling store – from clocks to furniture, metal art to candles.  We are SOLD on Real Deals which is a franchise featuring incredible buys on home decor. Whether you are looking to spice up dated decor, add seasonal items or maybe a perfect gift — we know we can always count on Real Deals to have that ideal item.  If we’re under a deadline and need some items to give a room some “wow” factor – we always head to Real Deals, knowing we won’t be disappointed! The great news for Salem Oregon is we have a new Real Deals that just opened!   They are located at the corner of Gaines and Liberty at  1320... 10/30/2009