Help

“it is better to give than receive”

One thing I truly like to do is help people. It is just part of my DNA. It can be simple things like opening a door, participating in volunteer work or helping someone in need. Like we’ve all heard: “it is better to give than receive.”

 working directly with people to make their lives better

I am blessed to be able to directly help people on a daily basis in my career. Real Estate Sales and Styling is a career that allows my wife and me to do many things that we really love – including, working directly with people to make their lives better. We can make their homes beautiful to “Sell or to Dwell!”

Recently my wife and I have been blessed to meet the Kain family who are moving to California. They are an inspiration for all of us by the way they've been able to live their lives and overcome challenges. There is so much to say but it might be easier to read for yourself! Please take time to read the story via the link below.

I hope you can see why I am proud to know the Kains and hopefully make their home sale go smoothly and take a little bit of stress out of their lives!

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/12/17/florida-dad-vows-to-take-disabled-daughter-to-all-50-us-states-by-age-18.html?intcmp=hphz02

Happy Staging!

Kevin

Pilgrims and Pies!

Pilgrims and Pies...these words don’t always go together but last week we put them together.

Adrienne and I, the Sell or Dwell?, team worked with the Geneva Presbyterian Church to make apple, pumpkin and pecan pies to benefit local family charities in St. Johns county. Our church does this every year to raise money but this year we used it as an opportunity to promote our business as well. After spending 8 hours cutting apples and rolling dough (some sampling was involved as well!) we donned our Pilgrim outfits and delivered 25 pies to friends and family across Jacksonville.

“horseless carriage” pulled up at a stop light

What an interesting experience! It seemed a little crazy at first but after I warmed up to the idea it was fun. There were a few double takes as a pilgrim and his mate, driving a large white “horseless carriage” pulled up at a stop light. Even more when the pilgrims were welcomed at Moe’s in full regalia. I asked for a turkey burrito but was shocked to hear that was not on the menu. I did notice the quick camera photos being snapped as I refilled my cup of mead at the cornucopia of flavorful drinks.

This is a great time to sell a home and at Sell or Dwell? we can help you do that.

Having a little fun while staying in touch with customers is an important part of our business. Real estate sales, staging and styling is a people business. We hope we can start top of mind with those close to use and those we have served over the years as their needs for real estate services arise. This is a great time to sell a home and at Sell or Dwell? we can help you do that.

We are blessed to live in such a great city and have so many wonderful friends. 

In the end it was a great day to spread some thanks for business referrals and just show some friendship. We are blessed to live in such a great city and have so many wonderful friends. Thanks Geneva for doing the pie baking. Wonder what we can dress as next year? Turkeys? That would turn heads at the stoplight.

Until next time...

Kevin

Serving our long time friends Lee and Rose

Home Styling and the 80/20 Rule!

Like many of you, I love the "before and after" on HGTV. The smiles (and sometimes tears of joy!) from the homeowners when they arrive home and poof their home has been magically transformed! If only it could be that simple in real life!

Most of our customers have realistic
budgets and timelines!

Often we do one day make overs. But, we work in the real world!

Yes, the home is transformed when the customer returns from work that evening! However, all the work is often not done in just one day. The most successful re-designs require up front communication with the customer, at least one visit beforehand to measure and take photos of each room and of course shopping for home decor. The actual decorating can often be done in one day - but, it's not HGTV magic, we've done our homework! 

A few years ago, we came up with the idea of applying the "80/20 Rule" to working with customers who wanted to re-design their home. By using at least 80% of the customer's existing furniture, art and accessories accomplishing the "one day makeover" is much more achievable both in terms of time frame and even more importantly budget!

Decorating your home does NOT mean throwing everything you own out the window! 

Remember, you bought that piece of furniture, lamp or picture because you loved it. Why not use it? But, allow someone else with an objective viewpoint to help breath new life into your home!

The "new 20%" can help you fall
back in love with the "old 80%!"

Happy Styling!

Adrienne

 

What's Behind Door #1?

When you're selling your home, put yourself into the buyer's shoes and open your front door. What do you see? Is it cluttered and overflowing with "stuff?" Or, is it sparse and missing furniture? It should be neither!

Each room in your home should have a clear definition of the intended use. This might seem like a "no brainer!" However, with today's open concept floorplans - it can be trickier than you think.

"Potential buyers remember the first thing and the last thing they see in your home."

Recently when hosting an open house in Durbin Crossing (St. Johns, FL), upon opening the front door and entering the mostly unfurnished living/dining room, potential buyers kept asking the same thing: "so, what is this room supposed to be?" I literally heard some form of that question at least five times. I realized, a change needed to be made - pronto!

"If a buyer doesn't know the purpose and function of the room -

they can't envision themselves living in it!"

When a home is completely or even partially vacant/unfurnished, room definition can be an issue. In this home, fortunately, the solution was simple! By bringing in a few pieces of furniture from other rooms (in particular a dining table!), we were able to quickly define the space. The buyer's attention is no longer spent on solving the puzzle of: "what's this room for?" The buyer can now start picturing what their own furniture might look like in the room. Once a buyer starts thinking of their own "stuff" in a home, the emotional connection begins!

Staging does not have to be a time-consuming or expensive endeavor. This particular room was transformed in less than an hour using only the homeowners' furntiure, art and accessories.

"A well-staged room tells the buyer a story."

Until next time, Happy Staging!

Adrienne

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

About a month ago, I was meeting with a couple in Julington Creek that was retiring and leaving the area. In getting their home prepared to put on the market, the three of us were walking through the house, clipboard in hand, room by room. When we arrived in the kitchen, I reminded them to remove their personal photos off of the refrigerator. It was then I noticed that the wife had tears in her eyes. We had a good hug and a good talk. You might be surprised at how often this happens.

"A house is brick and mortar - a home is where memories are made."

A word I use frequently when discussing the staging process is: Detachment. That might seem like a strange or even an ‘emotional’ word to use when describing the transaction of selling a home! However, letting go is an important step. Selling your home is a stressful life event; an event that is full of change and uncertainty.

"Not all stress is 'bad' stress. But, it is change. Change is hard!"

Think about some stressful life events – divorce, losing/changing jobs, getting married and having a child, etc.. All of these life change are all in the top ten! These life changes are also often coupled ith selling a home. Leaving your home behind, even for a great reason like a promotion or a new baby - is still understandably quite emotional!

When I’m staging a home and I make a change, I often hear the seller say “but, I like it that way,” or “that is my personal style.” However, I have to remind the client that in staging, it is not my job to decorate the home how they want to live. It is my job to stage the home so the prospective buyer can envision themselves there.

"We Stage to Sell and Style to Dwell!"

It is difficult to do, but, at some point when selling your house, you must stop thinking of your home as a home. You must start thinking of your home as a product. It’s my job to help it look its best and help transform homes into the most marketable product possible!

Once this concept ‘clicks’ with the homeowner, the staging process can actually be a lot of fun! It can be cathartic to let go of the ‘stuff’ and put the focus on the next step in the journey!

Happy Staging!

Adrienne