Home Staging: Show It Staged for the Optimal Sale

Staging is not decorating. Nor is it fluffing, or simply decluttering and cleaning. Staging involves reorganizing, refreshing and reducing; identifying the target market; editing, merchandizing and showcasing, so that the potential buyer does not feel like a guest but rather feels at home. Both the interior and exterior of a property are important. Curb appeal is critical. A staged home draws in a buyer as it presents its best first impression. It is arranged so as to appeal to as broad a range of buyers as possible. A staged home is prepared in terms of repairs and condition so that the buyer will see no reasons to lower their offered price or go elsewhere.


Today's average home buyers are educated, savvy and in a hurry; looking for a "toothbrush house"--- plunk their toothbrush in the holder and get on with their lives.  They want a house that requires no work or changes and offers the lifestyle they desire. A buyer will form an impression of a home within the first five seconds. That may be all the time a seller has to put their home's best foot forward.

Consider the demographic realities of the current Canadian real estate market. The average first time buyer is 32 years old. The average seller on the other hand is 57. There are significant differences in how these two parties spend their money and view the world. A typical 32 year old buyer expects instant happy, has little or no cash flow, is willing to carry a big mortgage, and has no repair/ maintenence skills. Staging provides the necessary bridge between the different lifestyles of the buyer and seller.

In many cases the critical first impressions of a home are formed online. In fact over 80% of people across Canada home shop online. Buyers decide from the pictures they are shown whether to view a house or not. Pictures of a staged home show the property at its best. A recent study showed that while 28% of the interior value of a home is determined by its floorplan and room sizes, a whopping 72% of its value is for how it is presented, which the seller can control.

The market will determine the price range in which a home will sell, best identified by an experienced REALTOR. Staging will ensure that the achieved price is at the top of that range. The longer a house sits on the market the less it will likely sell for. Staging will reduce the selling time.

~Melanie

Why hire a qualified Stager?

Why not my realtor, friend, decorator or neighbor? 

REALTORS® can guide you of course because they know what buyers tend to notice and look for. Decorators know colors and furniture arangements that work for living, and perhaps your friend or neighbor has good taste. 

A staging professional, however, understands the concept that how you live in your home is different than how we sell your house. 

Interiors Working for You offers the designationsCanadian Staging Professional (CSP)™ and Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)™ along with years of experience and success, resulting in the highest selling price and shortest selling time for your property.

I just had my home done by a professional decorator. It should be ready to sell, right?

Maybe not. Staging and decorating are significantly different processes with different end results. 


A home is decorated to suit the people that live in it, while a house is staged to appeal to its potential buyers. At Interiors Working For You we understand that the things that make a house your home may actually be the very things that keep a buyer from being interested. 

Can I prepare my home for sale without the help of a Stager?

Maybe. 

Certainly there are many self help resources available now in print and TV form. The tips for selling on this blog  are a good start. 

You may have an excellent sense of what buyers want and what your home's best features are and how to showcase them. You may know how to recognize and minimize possible areas of concern. You may have a creative flair for decorating, with the ability to know when to stop and to detach from your own personal tastes in favour of a neutral approach. 

Sound like you? By all means go for it, but consider having a professional Stager check your results. 

Consider one of my clients who watched the TV shows on getting homes ready for market, knew that clutter is a negative, and had packed up everything that wasn't tied down or used daily. The house looked bare and cold as a result, until she called us in for help. She didn't understand the nuances of Staging and her talents didn't include the ability to showcase a home.

How much will I save by Staging?

Staging is a relatively new tool in Metro Halifax and Nova Scotia. This makes it an exciting field to be in, as we contribute to its growth. According to StagedHomes.com, the creators of the federally recognized Staging® trademark, staging any home increases its value on average 6.3%. Interiors Working For You has an excellent track record from the perspective of both selling time and selling price. 


There is a trend in the US  and recently in Upper Canada where smart real estate companies are Staging each and every new listing. The beauty of Staging is that it is inexpensive. We find cost effective solutions, including the use of reasonably priced tradespeople if needed, the use of the homeowner's own possessions wherever possible, and if warranted household furnishings and accent pieces at a reasonable monthly rental rate. 


The Housing Urban Development (HUB) in the States did a study which showed that Staged homes sold for 17% more than the list price on average. Another study by Joy Valentine looked at 2772 homes over six months in eight US cities, from March to September 1999, and found that the average selling time was 13.9 days for staged homes versus 30.89 days for others. On average these staged homes sold for 6.4% over list price. 


In some cases the Staging process makes the difference between a house that sells and one that sits forever unwanted on the market. How do you meaure that? 

A Word About Today's Home Buyers

Buyers today have high expectations. They want to be shown properties which are in good repair, with current colors and finishings. They want to easily see if the house will be a good fit for them with little or no work needed. 


Home staging helps meet these expectations by arranging for trades people to get work done and/or redressing the house to show at its best.

Things to Consider when Staging a Home

Here are a few things to consider if you are about to stage and sell your home...
1. 90% of people cannot visualize, so having help in choosing the colors and materials for a home turns an impossible task into an enjoyable experience. The results are beautiful! 
2. Painting is a wonderful selling tool when the right colours are chosen. Removing old wallpaper may be the first step.
3. If you are about to change a room in your house, begin with what you want to use it for and how you want it to feel. 
4.  The exterior is just as important as the interior of a house when selling. If the outside doesn't appeal to a buyer you may not get the chance to show the inside. The goal is to show a manicured, easy to maintain yard.
5. When selling, a charming older home will grab many people's attention. Older furniture and decor style, not so much.
6. High quality online photos are very important because that is where 80% of home buyers do their shopping.
~Melanie

5 Tips To Help Sell Your House

The 1% Solution: 5 Tips to Help Sell Your House
Posted by StagingWorks on March 26th, 2011

The article below by Jennifer Wilson was published in the Toronto Star on March 23rd.

Whether you’re moving out of town, moving up or splitting up, everyone has the same goal when they’re selling their home: to make as much as they can.

One way to get the best sale price is to invest a few dollars to spruce up your place for prospective buyers. One rule of thumb is that you should set aside 1 per cent of your asking price, so, if you’re listing for $400,000 a renovation budget of $4,000 isn’t out of line.

Of course, certain projects will get you more, though in most cases you won’t get all your money back. The return can be anywhere from nothing, for skylights and pools, to an average of 75 per cent on high-performing kitchens and bathroom projects.

Here are some tips:


Kitchen
You can expect to recover 75 to 100 per cent of your investment in kitchens and bathrooms.

“The payback is tremendous,” says Frank Turco, Home Depot’s trend and design manager. That’s because buyers don’t want to undertake a cumbersome renovation that restricts access to these key spaces.

A few hundred dollars can give your kitchen a whole new look. Cabinets can be cleaned, lightly sanded and painted to look like new, while hardware can also be updated quickly and inexpensively, with new pulls and handles starting at a few dollars a pop. Outdated track lights can be replaced with more fashionable varieties, focused task lighting and undercabinet lighting. Dingy backsplashes can also be refreshed with a coat of paint or new tiles, which are available in peel-and-stick varieties.

For a bit more of a splurge, try replacing laminate cabinets with wood and laminate countertops for something a higher end, such as Corian or granite. New appliances are also a worthy investment, with stainless steel and once again trendy glossy white appealing to buyers.


Bathrooms
In the bathroom, like the kitchen, painting the vanity, and swapping out light fixtures and pulls can refresh the space inexpensively. Upgrading faucets, taps and shower heads are another simple project in the $50 – $100 range.
Additional storage is also essential in the bathroom, so look into closet and cupboard organizing systems and adding extra shelving.

Or go all out and embrace the trend for more spa-like bathrooms with marble tiling, full glass showers with extra nozzles and high-end showerheads or a steam shower. Double sinks, heated floors and upgraded countertops are also nice perks.


Paint
In all spaces, a fresh coat of paint works wonders – bringing homeowners a return of 50 to 70 cents on the dollar, says says Mariano Gigante, a sales representative with Sutton Group. Others like, Re/Max salesperson Justin Kua estimate a fresh paint job can bring in returns of 300 per cent.

“Even if it is a simple thing to fix, buyers want it done,” says Gigante, noting it also helps sell homes quicker than other upgrades. Wipe away scuffed paint and outdated colours with neutral hues for a fresh, buyer friendly look.


Flooring
Ripping out worn carpets and refinishing, or replacing, battered floors can offer returns of 75 to 100 per cent, says Gigante, noting that laminate and wood offer the highest rate of return.

Turco recommends laminate vinyl options, explaining “vinyl has come a long, long way” and is now available in durable planks, tiles and sheets that can mimic almost any look and texture, with many varieties available in the $60 range for 24 square feet. Plus, as far as projects go, it’s “inexpensive and easy, as long as you have a box cutter and a ruler.”


Other upgrades
Replacing doors and windows can bring in 50 to 75 per cent – and help you save on energy costs to boot.
Landscaping, meanwhile, will put roughly 25 to 50 per cent of what you spend back into your pocket. A well-maintained garden, brick paths and even urns can also do a lot to boost your home’s curb appeal.

A buyer’s first impression is key so for an easy fix up under $100, Turco suggests cleaning up the front yard, repainting pots and planters, laying a new welcome mat and painting the front door.


What not to do
Finishing a basement will see about a 50 per cent return on your investment, but as a big and costly job, Gigante says it’s only worthwhile if the homeowners intend on using it themselves for a while.

Skip the skylight. While additional natural light can be a boost, this project is expected to bring you absolutely no return, says Gigante.

Also avoid adding a swimming pool or Jacuzzi. It usually doesn’t improve your resale value and can even discourage buyers, such as families with small children.

If you are tackling a larger scale reno or working with a contractor, make sure the project comes in at less than your one per cent resale renovation budget, including a hefty contingency fund. The projects that offer the biggest returns – kitchens and bathrooms – can also bring the biggest surprises, snowballing costs as mechanical problems are uncovered.

Thanks, Jennifer!  Click Here for the entire article.

Flower Power and Selling Your Home

I found a really great article about the benefits of using flowers to enhance your home so it sells more quickly.  The article entitled "Use FLOWER POWER to Sell Your Home" by Craig Schiller touches on some very good points.


It begins like this...


"Before you put your home up for sale in the market, do yourself a favor and take a short walk and a quick drive.

First walk across the street and take a good hard discerning look at your property and then, after your walk, take a drive around your neighborhood and look at how your home measures up to the rest of the homes… whether they are for sale or not. The better you home looks, compared to your neighbors and the neighboring competition, the better chance you have to sell."


He hits on these four primary ways to enhance your property using flowers:


1. Garden beds should be cleaned out, weeded and planted with plants that are appropriate for the time of year and/or region you live in.
2. Trees, shrubs and vines should be pruned and trimmed, and dead plants should be removed.
3. Lawns need to be green, mowed, weeded and trimmed.
4. Decks and patios are common to most homes. But a deck or patio that is actually set with furniture and flowering planters can instantly be seen as a bonus living area.


I recommend that you Click Here to read the rest of the article.  Great information!


~Melanie

Home Staging and Wallpaper???

What a fun article on wallpaper...makes you think.  :)  Thanks to Realestaging Rants and Raves for the article.

Here's the first bit...

In today’s real estate market more and more home sellers are relying on home staging tips and advice to guide them in ways to best prepare their homes for selling. So last week, when I was hired to tour a seller’s property to give them my “Buyer’s Eye” advice, a monster of a problem reared its ugly head. The wallpaper in my client’s home was so extremely ugly I told them I just had to write a blog about it and use it as an example on how monsters like this will negatively affect a home’s sale.

Click Here to read the rest.  :)

No doubt it will make you consider your wallpaper options wisely.

~Melanie

Halifax Home Staging Results: Before and After

BEFORE:

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Living Room Redesign Tips

If you're ready to give your living room a makeover, there are a few redesign tips that will help you achieve your new look successfully.

Living Room Redesign Tip #1: Pull the Furniture Away From the Walls
Living Room Redesign Tip # 2: Choose a Focal Point
Living Room Redesign Tip #3: Try Different Groupings
Living Room Redesign Tip #4: Group Accessories
Living Room Redesign Tip #5: Borrow Items from Other Rooms
Living Room Redesign Tip #6: Reposition Your Artwork
Living Room Redesign Tip #7: Remove Items That Clash 

With those tips in hand, you're ready to go.  Start experimenting, have some fun, and be creative as your redesign your new living room look.

Thanks to Dee Jones for the tips.  CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You which provides full staging and redecorating services.

Halifax Home Staging Tips

Planning to sell your home? These Halifax home staging tips for selling a lived-in home will help.

It's prudent to ask a professional Stager for advice that is specific to your home. There are details however that every homeseller should pay attention to.

Remember that both the inside and the outside of a property will be evaluated by the buyer.

Take a walk towards and through your house, thinking about what the buyer will experience as they make this same approach.

The approach to the home and the front door itself should be in pristine condition. 

The windows, bathrooms, and kitchen should be sparkling clean.

Do any home repairs as necessary.

For showings have the toilet seats down, closet and cupboard doors closed.

Turn the lights on in any areas that are dim or to show off great lighting such as pocket lights and under the counter lights.

Ensure personal items are out of sight including photos and toiletries, and all countertops, shelves and table tops cleared off except for decorative pieces that add character.

It is usually best to show rooms with their original intended usage only. A desk in the living room for example should be relocated while on the market.

Organize and minimize closet contents neatly to show easy, spacious storage for the home.

Ensure lots of fresh air and fully open all window coverings during the day unless the view is less than desirable.

Keep any evidence of pets to a minimum or nonexistent. Many people are afraid of or allergic to animals.

Cleaning, sorting, packing, rearranging and getting things out of the way are no small tasks. They are however excellent strategies for selling. Use this process to get ready for your move. You need to sort and pack anyways. 

The next step is to showcase the property's best features, while minimizing any concerns, to present it at its best for its most likely buyers. 

Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You which provides full staging and redecorating services.

Halifax Home Stagers “Show Me the Money”

This is a great article about what Halifax home stagers can do to help sellers stage their homes to earn a profit.

Thanks to Kimberly Pacholko for the rules!

http://stagingweblog.com/?p=3548

Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You which provides full staging and redecorating services.

Who Can Benefit from Halifax Home Staging Services?

I quite often get asked who benefits the most from Halifax home staging services. Are my services more beneficial for sellers of a certain selling price? Is there a particular style or age of home or seller that needs me the most? My answer is always the same, that anyone and everyone can benefit from the services of a professional Home Stager if they want to sell their home for top dollar and as quickly as possible. Recently I helped three very different sellers get their home ready for market. Each seller needed unique services and guidance from me. Yet for each, the goal was the same; a successful sale.

Property number one was a downtown condo with high end pricing, limited contents, absent seller, target market determined to be middle aged to senior singles or couples. Property number two was a single family home, just outside the city, mid range pricing, fully furnished, target market determined to be young families, with a seller who was eager to help. Property number three was a single family older home at entry level pricing competing with new construction, within city boundaries, target market young families and singles working downtown, with a skeptical, older seller who had restrictions on budget, ability and time.

Each started with a consultation to determine what changes were recommended and who would make these happen. The level of detail and explanation needed varied a great deal between these three consultations due to the property differences as well as the varying knowledge the sellers had of the benefits and process of staging.  In two cases there was a list of painting and repairs to do. In one case there were also upgrades warranted in order to meet the expectations of their likely buyers, and the materials were chosen by me to ensure the appropriate look would be achieved. In one case the trade people were provided by me. In all three cases a rearrangement was recommended for optimal lifestyle selling.

Following the consultation, each of these three properties requested further services from me. One seller followed through with all the recommendations themselves then had me back to showcase the primary rooms. Two of these sellers had me dress the properties including the rental of staging props, one renting furniture and accessories while the other rented just a few key accessories to be used with their existing contents which I rearranged. The length of time from consultation to listing for the three properties varied from five days to three weeks.

In all of these cases, the REALTOR recommended my services. After six years in the business, this is quite often the case, along with repeat client business, friend to friend referrals, and direct inquiries from the selling public via my website and facebook.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from professional Home Staging services, no matter who the seller is, what the selling price is, and how the market is. Were these three transformations successful? Stay tuned. All three properties have just hit the market.

Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You  which provides decorating and home staging services in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area. Melanie is a graduate of the Sheffield School of Interior Design and is a member of the Nova Scotia Interior Decorators Association (NSIDA). She has a background in real estate and two designations in home staging, the Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) and the Canadian Staging Professional (CSP). She is a founding member of Home Stagers Atlantic Accredited Professionals (HSA) and a member of Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). Please visit www.interiorsworking.com for more information or call Melanie at 902-223-3237.

Halifax Home Stagers: The Entrepreneurial Spirit

I am just back from the largest home staging convention in the history of Home Staging. This international gathering of Halifax Home Stagers and Stagers from all over the world was put on by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) in Las Vegas was sold out and it was AMAZING! Now the saying goes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But not this time! I for one have brought back invaluable ideas to my business, as I’m sure all the attendees have done, some from as far away as The Netherlands.


It was a privilege to be counted among the attending Staging entrepreneurs, mostly women, and including over 100 Canadian stagers. We came together as comrades rather than competitors. Coming from a huge variety of backgrounds, we each bring a wealth of experience and skills to our businesses, which we willingly share with each other. The speakers and sponsors added valuable product knowledge. Our key note speaker Matthew Finlason of HGTV’s “The Stagers” talked about how the staging industry has become a huge draw for people from all other professions, as a response to lost jobs in this economy, and that the industry will grow and change exponentially in the coming years. He also entertained us with stories of his work in LA with wealthy, exotic clients. So in spite of the time away from work and the grueling reality of airports and delayed flights causing an unexpected overnight in Montreal, this convention was truly a valuable investment in my business and my industry.


I was gratified to learn that women all over Canada and the States, in Australia, and in Europe are making similar decisions and handling similar issues as I am here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In the larger cities where Staging has become an integral part of selling real estate, stagers like me are growing their businesses to meet the growing demand. In many rural areas the stagers are facing the issues I did here six years ago, looking forward to the growth that will happen. Stagers everywhere are providing a valuable service to their marketplace by helping home sellers, Realtors, and builders maximize their sale price and minimize their selling time; by providing jobs and mentorship to other stagers and support staff; by providing work to various trades; by initiating sales to local stores; by providing decorating services which help people enjoy their homes; and by contributing to their communities. 


RESA was formed with the mandate to advance professionalism and excellence in the real estate Staging industry. All members of RESA adhere to a strict code of ethics. RESA continues to develop and approve products, services, and educational opportunities as well as provide a forum for stagers to learn from each other and support each other.

If you’re interested in becoming a Halifax home stager, you’re in for a great ride!

 ~Melanie

Halifax Home Staging: Tips for Success

This is a great article with some fabulous tips that apply to Halifax home staging.  Thanks to Debra Gould, the Home Staging Diva for the article.

1. Consider the curb appeal.
2. Get ride of clutter.
3. Turn excess inventory into cash.
4. Watch where the eye goes.
5. Find a fix-it person.
6. Clean, clean, and clean again!
7. Let in some air.
8. Let in some light.
9. Don’t forget fresh flowers.
10. Carefully consider music.

Great tips for Halifax home staging!  To read the complete article, click here.

~Melanie

Selling a Home in Halifax: Three Major Elements that Affect a Sale

Selling a home in Halifax can be tough, but if you understand the major elements of a sale, it gets a lot easier.

“Three Major Elements Affect A Sale - Condition, Location and Price.”

78% of a buyer's decision about a house is already made before they actually see it - based on location and size; working with your client to make sure they really impact the areas outside and inside the house which affect first impressions is crucial.

A Certified Staging Professional™ can help!

Condition:
Staging goes beyond the usual list of repairs, clutter, decor and packing personal items; these will be discussed by a CSP™ who has been trained to handle objections the homeowner may have to getting a home ready for sale. Stagers "kick it up a notch" - by broadening the appeal of the house to a wide array of potential buyers at the same time targeting to the most likely market using lifestyle selling techniques.


A stager is a third party who will discuss any challenges to the condition of the home. The Real Estate agent does not have to risk losing a listing by pointing out all the work that needs to be done. They have delegated that job to the stager.


Staging impacts the condition of a house; change the condition of the house you decrease the odds of showings without bids. Attracted buyers will be impressed by the way the house looks
A staged house makes for beautiful photos. Beautiful Photos attract more buyers to showings; this means more offers and increasing the opportunity to sell the listing on the first round of marketing.


Price:
By enhancing the features of a home and changing the condition, even slightly overpriced homes have a better chance for selling at asking price. You are offsetting the price by increasing the value through the buyers eyes. Staging is about securing the equity in the property. Staging is not about inflating the price of a house - a well priced house with staging reduces the risk of offers being less than what you want.


A staged home sells faster and for more money. Real Estate agents receive maximum commission opportunity by not having to reduce the price and save money by not having to pay for a second and third wave in their marketing process.


Location:
Stagers don't have magic wands! They can't relocate the house to a more desirable neighbourhood... Stagers do create magic with the existing furniture it will give the competitive edge over the other homes in the area. It is easier to overlook the area, if the price and condition is excellent.


Also:
Real Estate agents who offer staging services as an added value for the client gain a competitive edge over other agents in their area. Staged properties sell for more money in a hot market and faster in a slow one. When marketing to homeowners Real Estate agents can use staging stats, testimonials, and photos to illustrate they go above and beyond other agents, with great results! Working with a stager you have a third party to defer objections to and help convince the home seller of the value of the service. The stager provides a detailed consultation, and then completes the work to fully stage the house. A Real Estate agent will have more time to invest on other aspects of getting the house sold. Even as busy as you are the homeowners will feel well taken care of.
The Bottom Line!


A CSP™ will help solve a huge portion of the everyday challenges a Real Estate agent has while providing a value added service to stand out in the industry.


Click Here to read the original article was originally posted on the CSP™ website. http://www.canadianstagingprofessionals.com/realtors.php.

~Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You which provides full staging and redecorating services for successful selling a home in Halifax.

Canadian Staging Professionals: What’s the Real Story

When you walk into somewhere new, somewhere you have never been before, what do you notice?  Do you notice the colour of the walls or the arrangement of the furniture?  Most people decide whether or not they are comfortable in a home within the first few seconds after entering; that is why it is crucial the impression made is a good and lasting one.  
This is where Canadian Staging Professionals take on the very important role of displaying your home to encompass all potential Buyers. CSP’s work magic in a space so it will come alive to spark buyer’s interest, also into feeling a sense of connection to your home.  This increases marketability, often resulting in higher offers and a speedy sale.

CSP™’s Deliver:

• Help save your advertising dollars by helping your house sell quickly
• Advertise your property on CSP website – property for sale section -to assist in getting top value for your home
• Work within your budget constraints
• Deal respectively and professionally with you and your REALTOR®
• Give your home the ‘targeted lifestyle’ look to demand Buyer attention

Information originally posted on the Canadian Staging Professionals Website.  http://www.canadianstagingprofessionals.com

Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You which provides full staging and redecorating services.

Home Redesign: A New Way to Achieve the Home You Want

Home decorating and the use of a specialist in home décor were for a very long time considered a luxury. A designer or decorator would typically completely change a space and the cost would be high. There is certainly a market for this type of service still, and likely always will be.

Home redesign, on the other hand, comes from the perspective of using what is already there as much as possible. A transformation can be achieved with an editing; a rearrangement; the introduction of a few key elements; a change in color, usage or accessories. Redesign appeals to those who cannot or choose not to spend more than necessary to achieve a change. It is also gaining favour from those who are swinging back towards a less wasteful lifestyle, away from the throw-away perspective of recent years.

More affordable furniture, accessories, fabrics, and window coverings have become available. More and more people know that having a home that offers beauty as well as function is within their reach. A home redesign specialist is the corresponding advisor who assists people in achieving a big effect for a small investment. Services can range from a consultation which gives the client a direction and path to follow on their own, right up to project management for those clients who do not want to be directly involved with the process. Referring trades people, shopping, developing floor plans, color consultations, material sourcing plus selection and room showcasing are examples of the various services of Redesign. Quite often transformations can occur in just one day.

Even with all the self help information that is readily available today, many people benefit from the trained, skilled guidance of a professional. Studies have shown that only 10% of North Americans can visualize. That means 90% see only what is in front of them. Vision is a critical ingredient in creating a new or improved living space that meets the form and function desires of the person to use the space. A home redesign specialist provides that vision as a well as a fresh perspective, experience and market knowledge that can be invaluable.

Melanie Orr is the owner and operator of Interiors Working For You which provides full staging and redecorating services.