Archive for March, 2008
$ Sense: Feng Shui versus Home Staging–A Perspective.
March 23rd, 2008 Categories: Buyer and Seller Knowledge Center
Feng Shui, an ancient art originated in China some 3,000-3500 years ago, is a mind set of arranging one’s environment so that there is balance and harmony of energy. Harnessing good energy is considered most auspicious so the goal of Feng Shui is to keep positive energy meandering like a stream.
This art form has gain some prominence in the United States over the last 30 years, particularly in relation to the home.
Simply Feng Shui puts one in balance within and outside the home when furniture’s, fixtures, lighting, colors of all array, textures and shapes are positioned to attract the forces that produce positive energy to flow softly and direct this energy to the well being of the homes occupant.
Home staging focus is the same. Professionals home stager’s set about to establish a harmony with colors, furniture, fixtures, lighting, textures and shapes to give the feeling of well being within ones home and outside the home.
Both disciplines are talked about extensively especially when it comes time to sell a home.
Without going into all of the basic philosophy of each most people do not know the difference between the two, nor do they care that there is a difference and a great number think its all a gimmick.
BUT………
I have heard instances of properties that had been Feng Shui and for whatever the reason after the owner (or seller) did what had to be done the property, after being on the market for months suddenly became desirable and sold.
In a situation that I was involved (a rental property that I had listed) was made up of two parts. Part of the home was built about 100 years ago and an addition added about 60 years ago. The floor plan was a simple disaster.
The old, unkempt kitchen was the divider. In front of the kitchen was a great room with fire place, a small dining area, a divided open wall room that had no apparent purpose except to give the overall area some character, accompanied by two bedroom clustered near a single bathroom.
Behind the kitchen was the original entry, converted to a bedroom, making three behind the kitchen and a bath that was ready to be replaced, along with indoor laundry facilities.
This home was sitting on a parcel of about 3/4 acres next to a freeway. But the views were great.
I mentioned to the owner Feng Shui and she immediately jumped at the idea and made the home accommodating adding some old furniture she had stored in the barn and set about cleaning the weeds and set plantings throughout the yard.
It sold. Not for the price that was wanted but sold within 37 days after all the work was done. It had been on the market for nearly 9 months.
Was it Feng Shui or was it in the cards that the home was going to sell? I really cannot say except for the fact that it was a good market and everything was selling.
In yet another situation, I attended a seminar and as part of the seminar my group had to stage a home in Las Vegas. The property was quite new and had been on the market for over 6 months in an up market.
Our group went about staging this property which was almost an all day affair. I found out later that our efforts were rewarded with the sale of the home about 3 weeks later.
With this sample of two I noticed that properties sold when they were cleaned inside and out and the real estate market was good to excellent.
If one wishes to get the EDGE in an up market than Feng Shui and or staging is the way to go.
For a down market, neither have been successful for me. In a down market, PRICE and only price is the name of the game and no Feng Shui or staging will change this. Except recently I have heard of a realtor in Florida applying the principals of Feng Shui and he is doing extremely well (so I am told) in a horrible market.
If sellers of properties in an up market clean the property inside and out they should be in a good position of seeing their property sold. A stager or Feng Shui consultant certainly can come on the scene and make recommendations for a more promotional blend of furniture placement, lighting, colors and fabrics but if you have this gift use it.
In a down market it is PRICE!
In summary both disciplines focus on open space, less clutter, cleanliness, positioning of furniture and fixtures, color, smell, soft music, textures, sense of feel and many other attributes to lend itself to a harmonies environment. It is something that most home owners can do, some not as well as others. Those who cannot blend all of these together well should then call in the professionals. Those that can should save some money and position themselves for a home sale.
Your comments are welcomed.
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When Luxury Items Become Necessities.
March 15th, 2008 Categories: Remodeling and Home Construction
Looking back at what has happened over the last 20-40 years in housing, what is striking are yesterdays luxury items that have become todays home necessities.
From the 1940-1960 indoor plumbing was a luxury for many homeowners. As late as the 1940’s nearly 50% of the homes in the United States did not have indoor plumbing. In some states approximately 80% of the homes were without plumbing.
In the 1960’s, 40% of the homes were without telephones.
So what items classified as luxury items in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s became necessities in today’s homes?
The items included:
- inside washer and dryers;
- indoor plumbing;
- electric heating and electricity;
- multiple bathrooms;
- phone service;
- windows that open;
- and air conditioning.
All of the above are considered home necessities today, but still there is a % of homes in some parts of the United States that do without these “necessities”. This can be due to the geographic area or it may be that the individuals do not want the item or items.
Today there are some luxury items that may become home “necessities” in the next 10-30 years.
How about………
- the internet kitchen (refrigerator/ovens/ranges/dishwasher/compact/microwave);
- Internet food and personal (automatic) shopping and delivery;
- Internet washer/dryer;
- Internet home schooling (all levels);
- security systems/Internet communications center;
- home theaters;
- wine cellars;
- indoor elevator for multi-story homes;
- sauna’s;
- on-line banking and federal/state tax reporting (government single source software);
- automatic light sensors that turn off lights when no one is in the room. Re-activate when someone enters the room;
- pizza ovens;
- moveable walls to change the home flow and floor plan for homeowners convenience;
- mood lighting throughout the home again for homeowners convenience;
- tennis court;
- step-thru bath tubs;
- indoor bowling alley;
- indoor golf gallery;
- indoor/outdoor basketball/racquet ball court;
- and lastly each home may be able to produce its own electrical needs via solar panels or other type panel material and will be able to recycle its own waste water for reuse for family needs or for watering the garden.
Of these listed luxury items, anything associated with the ”Internet” will more than likely become tomorrows necessity.
By all means do add to the list. Then we can all watch to see which item(s) becomes tomorrows home “necessities”. Only time will tell. But the next 10-30 (or more) years will be extremely interesting.
Your comments are invited.
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10 Acres of Seclusion That You Can Own!
March 14th, 2008 Categories: Land, Lots, Ranches
Call John Duffner at 805-933-1385 for additional information.
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Marmoleum…….flooring
March 14th, 2008 Categories: Remodeling and Home Construction
Unlike linoleum, marmoleum is a product that covers a host of colors, has no adverse known health issues, durable, easy to clean, anti-static and rejects bacterial properties. Reasonably priced between $ 6- $7 per square foot, it just may be a product worth looking at when upgrading your flooring.
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Heaven Can Wait! I Have Found Home!
March 8th, 2008 Categories: SFH $ 500,000 to $ 1,000,000
Removed from market.
Call John Duffner at 805-933-1385 for additional information.
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Don’t Buy Today and Count On Crying Tomorrow!
March 5th, 2008 Categories: "Say What? Just Some Real Estate Talk
How many more sunsets or sunrises will have to pass before you realize that now is the time you should own a home.
Prices have decreased significantly and there are many great properties available that you can call your own.
Just imagine how great it will be to watch the sunsets and sunrises from your own place called home.
Don’t act today and you will be crying tomorrow. Don’t put yourself in the spot of saying: “Oh, I should have…….”; “Darn, I could have……”; “Jeez, I had the chance of getting that place for……”.
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