Protecting a Vacant House

Dear Kristina,

I have heard that vacant houses are being broken into... what can I do to protect my empty property while its being sold? Signed, M. Anderson

Dear Owner of a Vacant,
An unattended vacant house can be a playground for theives and teenage partiers. Below are some suggestions to help you protect your listed property:

• In the winter time, hire a neighbor or service to keep your driveway and sidewalks shoveled; while the lawn should be maintained in the summer months.
• Be sure to stop all paper and mail deliveries.
• Install light switches with motion sensors.
• Periodically, check all door locks, window latches, and smoke detectors to ensure they are in working order (or hire someone to do so).
• Keep current on your home owner's insurance... just in case

It is best to take all precautions to protect your investment. Listen to Grandma's advice: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Thank you for your question! Kristina

KFM vacant Staging Before (above) and After (below)

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
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Holiday Listing

Dear Kristina,
Should I list my home over the holidays or wait until after the New Year?
Unsigned

Dear Unsure,
Although this technically is not a home staging question, I will address it as best as possible. Statistically, the holiday season is a slow time in Real Estate; however, you can use this time to prepare your house for listing. Some home owners are severly underbudgeting their time when only allowing one weekend to stage their home.

Although I cannot tell you to not list during this time of year, I will strongly encourage you to stage first then list no matter what season we are in. Thank you for your question! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Partial Staging

Dear Kristina,
Is it alright to partially stage a house?
Toronto

Dear Northern Neighbor,
To partially stage or not depends on whether your listed house is vacant or occupied.

If you are selling while living in your home, then you should stage (declutter, etc.) all the living space in your house. If your house is vacant, then you can limit your staging to "priority rooms" (i.e. kitchen, living room, etc.). Leaving some bedrooms or a second living room empty is alright as long as the primary rooms have been staged.

Happy staging! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

The Cost of Home Staging

Dear Kristina,
I have an empty house on the market and would like an idea of how much staging would cost. Vacant in St. Louis Park

Dear Vacant in St. Louis Park,
Staging costs have a lot of variables: size of house, furniture and accessories needed, distance, etc. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of vacant staging without taking into the variables into consideration. As a general rule, staging prices can range from .05 - 1 % of the selling price of the home.

The price of staging a vacant house is usually less expensive than a price reduction; thus saving you money. In essence, staging costs are an investment in the marketing of your house.

Thank you for your question! Kristina

KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company, has been creating "First Impressions That Sell" in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Visit our website for more home staging tips. To submit your question, contact Kristina at kristina@kfmstaging.com.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!