Category Archives: Home Staging

Staging your Home with Kids or Pets

July 20, 2018 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

If you have pets or children, it can be a challenge to live in your home while you are trying to sell the house. First of all, you will want to get your home professionally staged. A fresh pair of eyes viewing your home in its best way is what you want. Once the house is staged, be sure your Realtor takes professional photos.

Home staging tips for living in your home with kids or pets while trying to sell:

Staging and selling your home with kids:

All walls and floors need to be clear of marker, paint, and stains. If you have a playroom that has wall-to-wall carpeting that is beyond a good cleaning, replace it. Fresh paint always brightens a home; if your walls are badly marked up, painting is a good idea.
If you have a designated playroom, you will want to stage the room so that it appears multi-purpose. All toys, games, puzzles, should be stored in bins with lids, preferably in a closet or out of site. The walls will need to be clear of taped up stuff, etc. Staging the room as a sitting area or small dining area can transform the space from playroom to a general use room.
Kid’s rooms that are theme-decorated are super cute and would appeal to someone with kids; however, think about ways to downplay the theme. All stuffed animals and things need to be corralled in bins and stored out of sight. Think under the bed and closet storage. Maximize space by purging or giving away any grown out toys or clothing.
Have an emergency plan in place if you get a call from your Realtor that they want to show the house. Every family member should have a job, have a big bin ready for loose things that can be stored in your car.

Staging and selling your home with pets:

Photo by Sara Tuttle Interiors – More bedroom photos

Living with pets can numb you toward their smell and odors. Carpeting should be professionally cleaned or replaced so that there are no smells when a potential buyer walks into your home.
Anything related to the pet should be out of sight. Beds, toys, food, kitty litter.
Be sure that your yard is clear of all animal droppings.
If you have furniture that has been destroyed by a pet, you are better off removing it, or carefully decorating so that damaged areas are artfully displayed.
Have an emergency plan if your Realtor calls and wants to bring over a prospective buyer. Grab all pet-related items and put them in your car, and bring your pet. You cannot show your home with the pet in the house. There is nothing worse than a barking or whining dog locked in a crate; it can quickly turn a potential buyer away. Also, many people are allergic to animals, and a home with pets could be an instant issue. Or they may be fearful of pets, either way, removing the pet from the house during a showing is essential. Have an arrangement with a friend or neighbor who can take your pet if you are unavailable.

If you need help with your home staging, give me a call 610.955.8202 or email. I have many options available where I come in and instruct you in 2 hours or less how to stage your home, or you could opt to have the Redesign Right team completely stage your home with what you already own in a day.

By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram. Feature photo from Houzz: Cook Architectural Design Studio.

Home Staging

Home Staging: Top 5 Issues

March 29, 2018 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

I wanted to end my series on home staging with an article on the top five issues I run into while staging properties and how to correct them. In case you missed my other two articles they are, “Are you selling your home this year?” and “5 Point Checklist for Getting your Home Ready to Sell.” Continue reading Home Staging: Top 5 Issues →

Home Staging

5 Point Checklist for Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

March 19, 2018 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

Moving is in the top 10 list of life’s most stressful events. As a move may be a result of downsizing, or dealing with challenging life events, managing the transition can be difficult. As a professional stager, I offer a fresh perspective on a home, and I understand the emotions involved in moving. I have personally relocated over fourteen times in my life, trust me I get it. Buyers like a home based on how they feel when they walk into it, they make an instant impression. As a home stager, I understand how to maximize your home’s assets so that you can sell your home quickly and for the most money. Continue reading 5 Point Checklist for Getting Your Home Ready to Sell →

Home Staging

Are you selling your home this year?

March 6, 2018 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

The start of the best time to sell your home is after the Super Bowl and springtime historically has been an excellent time to put your house on the market. I recently read an article on Zillow that pulled together country-wide statistics, though this varies by area, for home selling that said: Continue reading Are you selling your home this year? →

Home Staging

7 Tips to Sell Your Home to Millennials

May 15, 2017 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

In my decorating article last week, High Point Market-Spring 2017 Highlights, I wrote about the furniture industry looking forward to a large boom in millennial furniture purchases in the upcoming years. As reported by Realtormag, a recent Fannie Mae Economic report stated, “Millennials’ accelerated rate of departure from their parents’ homes bodes well for housing demand.” With the market primed to sell your home, now may be a fantastic time if you are planning a move.

How can you capitalize on the millennial market? Here are seven things to consider when selling your home to this growing pool of buyers:

Strive for the “less is better” concept of decorating.
Choose furniture that is large and fewer pieces; for example, large lamps, art, and accessories.
Minimize the “eye noise” by not offering lots of little things to view. If you have a large collection of items, consider packing them up and placing in storage. Too many “things” take away from the house which is where you want your prospective buyers to focus.
Take down outdated
Paint the interior of the home in a neutral color; for example, a gray in the warm spectrum mixed with a beige.
Since Millennials often do not have a budget for home upgrades, they want to move into a home with an updated kitchen and baths. If you cannot update this space, do what you can to give a facelift. Change out the knobs on the cabinets, replace the counter tops, install new lighting to a sleek look (definitely remove all fluorescent overhead lighting.)
Replace outdated and dirty carpets throughout either with a neutral carpet or preferred low-maintenance wood flooring or tile.

Keep in mind that the best salesman in a room is the way the furniture is placed. Make sure the key Rooms: Family room, Living Room, Entrance, Kitchen and Master Bedroom and Bath are professionally staged showing prospective buyers the many possibilities. They need to be able to see themselves living in this space.

Call 610.955.8202 or email to set up a consultation so we can get your home staged to get top dollar for your home!

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Home Staging

Ready-Stage-Sell Package

October 25, 2016 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

Are you a Realtor or someone who is selling their home soon? This week I wanted to focus on how Redesign Right can help take the stress out of the sale of a home. The Ready-Stage-Sell Package can help Homeowners and Realtors sell homes quicker.

Redesign Right makes the staging process affordable, fun and most importantly; effective in the sale of homes. We love to work with homeowners to create homes that prospective buyers just have to have!

All staging projects start with a consultation. Depending on the client’s needs they then have the option of going forward with a DIY option or a full-blown one day Staging Service.

If you are reading this article and you don’t know what Home Staging means, click here to learn more. To understand how effective Home Staging can be, click here to view an infographic from the National Association of Realtors. If you know of someone who is about to sell their house, please forward this article to them or if you want to find out more about what home staging can do for you, click here. To set up your consultation, call Debbie 610.955.8202 or email and let’s get to work!

Testimonial from one of the many Realtors that Redesign Right has worked with:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Debbie Correale from Redesign Right for almost five years. She designs and stages all of my listings. I have always been impressed with Debbie’s professionalism, style and her “way” of relating to my clients. Most of my listings sell quicker than other agents; I credit a lot of this to Debbie and her incredible talent that she has in her profession. She has also designed my home; I actually cried when I came home for the “reveal.” Debbie takes what you already have and transforms your home using the special things that you already own and love! It is amazing.” – Liz Facenda – Realtor, ABR, CSR, CDPE, RE/MAX Preferred

Testimonial from a Homeowner:

“Wow, Redesign Right’s team came in, transformed my home in one day and the realtor was able to take pictures the next day! It was painless, effective and I sold within five days. Thanks, Debbie!” – Leigh Ann S.

By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.

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Home Staging, Interior Redesign

Redesign vs. Home Staging

May 16, 2016 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

I realized the other day that I use in my everyday vocabulary words like home staging and redesign all the time and have found that people do not always understand the difference or what they mean. This week’s decorating article will focus on the definition of these terms and how they can potentially impact you.

What is Redesign?

A redesign of an interior of a home or office is a change in the appearance, function, and potentially content. When you contact me to help you with fabric or paint selection, or to help you make a room more useful, appealing, and lovely all of those actions are part of a redesign. A redesign involves working with the items you have and perhaps suggesting items to purchase to complete a finished look. A redesign may include assisting you in shopping for the proper flooring, tile, accessories or furniture.

What is Home Staging?

Home staging involves getting your home ready for sale. Home staging is different than a redesign in that the goal is to amplify the strengths of your home for a potential buyer. Clearing out clutter, maximizing room flow, minimizing the amount of things that are displayed, reducing furniture, removing personal things. All of these activities are included in a home staging. The goal is to present the best features of a home to make the potential buyer walk away with a feeling of, “Yes, I can see my sofa there, I love it!”

I put together a fun video showing you the steps in staging a built-in bookcase where few elements were used, and the result is pleasant to the eye, not distracting, and displays the potential of the bookcase beautifully.

If you need help with a room redesign, or if you plan to sell your home soon and would like your home staged call Debbie 610.955.8202 for a consultation or fill out the interest form.

Home Staging, Outdoor Decorating

12 Item Checklist for Outdoor Staging

May 2, 2016 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

Are you planning to sell your home soon? If so, you will want to take a good look at the outside of your home and be sure that it presents as nicely as possible for a potential buyer. The majority of buyers will first view your home online which means you will want quality photos done after you have prepared the outside of your home. Next, if the potential buyer lives locally, they will do a drive-by of your home. You want to make sure the exterior of your home entices the buyer so much she calls for an appointment to see the rest of your home!

Let’s go over a 12 item checklist of must-dos to get you started on your exterior:

Clean your entryway of all debris.
Check your porch light(s); it’s the easiest thing to change out and offer a fresh look.
Paint your front door, click here for instructions on the best techniques. If your house has shutters, do they need a new coat of paint as well? Keep in mind that your front door and shutter paint color do not have to match, but they should complement each other and go with the style of your home (and observe any Homeowners’ Association rules that may apply.)
Do you need new hardware on your front door? If you plan to paint your door, this is a perfect time to remove and replace any hardware.
Add a spotlight to illuminate a walkway, or add a featured focal point.
Remove all toys, garden waste, etc.
Plant beautiful seasonal flowers and mulch your beds.
Trim your bushes and trees.
Have your house and sidewalks power There should be no signs of mold!
Seal your driveway.
Add a new and inviting solid black Welcome mat.
Add vibrant colored (ensure that they can be seen from the roadway) flowers to your entryway.

Do you know what the three top most desirable outdoor elements are for potential buyers? According to the 2015 American Society of Landscape Survey out of 581 respondents the top three most popular outdoor design elements include:

Fire pits / fireplaces – 78.0%
Lighting – 72.0%
Grills – 63.0%

What significance does this have? If you have any of the elements mentioned above, you will want to feature them! For example, if you have an outdoor fire pit, before showing your home arrange chairs around the fireplace or pit and display with colorful pillows that make the potential homeowner look at it and say, “Wow, I really like that!”

For all your home staging needs Redesign Right has got you covered! Or if you need color, fabric, and home decorating, give Debbie a call 610.955.8202 for a consultation or click here to email. No job is too big or too small!

Home Staging, Interior Redesign

Do You Love Home Decorating?

April 18, 2016 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

Eckert 4-resized Do you love home decorating? Are you the go-to friend when someone needs help picking out a paint color, or trying to figure out how to add a piece of furniture to a room? If you find yourself answering “yes” to these questions, a career in Interior Redesign and Home Staging may be just the right path for you! If you are wondering why you should choose Redesign Right to assist you, here are three primary aspects that set the program apart from the rest:

Hands-On Approach
The Redesign Right program offers FUN hands-on education. Since designers are kinesthetic learners and do best in a hands-on environment, they have a difficult time learning in front of a computer and require rolling up their sleeves and moving furniture to learn the design basics. In this program, you will work hands-on in 3 client homes to practice the classroom instruction. Similar to the TV shows our clients leave, we do our magic, and then the client returns for the big reveal! The reaction is often the favorite part of the class! The hands-on experience in homes is what makes our program unique and one of only a few training programs in the country that offer this feature.
Complete Package
The Redesign Right training program provides a double certification in Interior Redesign AND Home staging. Having these certifications in both studies allows you to offer a full-service redesign and home staging business to your clients. Also, our program produces stronger home stagers because we teach intense decorating and redesign principles as a basis of home staging.
Industry Expert
Debbie Correale has been a professional and respected trainer for three national industry associations and has been training for over nine years. Debbie also runs a profitable redesign and home staging business and has been in business over thirteen years. With this real hands-on knowledge, she is a competent trainer and an active mentor. As many of her past students can attest, the class is fun, intense, informative, and Debbie is always available to them long after the class ends.

To understand the training program, watch this brief video:

Here is the upcoming 2016 training schedule:

Monday-Friday Classes:
May 9-13
June 13-17
August 22-26
September 12-16
November 7-11
November 14-18
December 5-9
Weekend Classes:
July 29-31, August 6, 7
October 14-16, 22, 23

Tuition: The 5-day double certification course is $2,500, and the 3-day course is $1,500. A $500 deposit will reserve your spot in class. You will want to sign up for your desired class date as soon as possible as there is a maximum of six students per class. Click here to view the training agenda.

If you have any questions about Redesign Right’s Interior Redesign and Home Staging program, call Debbie 610.955.8202 or click here to fill out the interest form.

Read through these testimonials from past students:

“Can’t get the thoughts of our class out of my mind and thought you should know that! It was the first time in a very long time that I did something for me. You and your class were the most rewarding experience ever. What I’ve learned and all that you’ve shared will be a part of me always.Thank you again for opening my eyes to a whole new world, valuing my talent, and the confidence to think outside of the box. Your inspiration, motivation, and friendship are immeasurable! In friendship & business, Laura H.”

“Thank you so much for an amazing week! I knew I’d love your course. However, I had no idea how impactful and empowering it would be! You are a fabulous instructor as well as a home stager and redesigner! I wish you continued success! You are truly changing people’s lives for the better one house at a time! Kind Regards, Amanda B.”

Home Staging

What Do Home Buyers Want in 2016?

February 8, 2016 Debbie Correale Leave a comment

According to Redfin, spring is one of the best times for selling your home, and some say that starts right after the Super Bowl! The Redfin Study “analyzed more than 7 million homes in 2010 through 2014, 39% of homes listed in the spring sold within 30 days, and 15% of them sold for more than list price.”

As we begin this busy time for selling homes, I reached out to Realtor, Liz Facenda of RE/Max Preferred and asked what to expect in 2016 in the Real Estate market and these are her comments:

“Going into 2016 today’s buyers still want a turnkey home that they can move into with a minimal amount of work to do. They are looking for updated kitchens and baths, and primarily low maintenance homes. What they don’t want is to be “tied” to their homes spending all their free time maintaining the home. They are much too busy working, exercising, socializing and starting families.

Buyers are looking for homes that have space for a home office since more millennials are working from home part of the week. They are also looking for eat-in kitchens that flow into the family room for ease of entertaining. Formal dining rooms are still not high on the list of must-haves for these buyers. Instead, they truly want a move-in ready home.”

Based on a study done by Microsoft the digital attention span is now eight seconds, what does this mean to you? The majority of buyers, the millennials, are all online shoppers. They are using online apps and sites and swiping through photo after photo. You will want professional photos, but first you have to display your home in the best way possible always accentuating the positive aspects of your home.

Did you know that the best salesperson in the house is how the furniture is set up? Correctly setting up rooms will take the guess work out of where the prospective buyer will put their furniture. Home staging can help you prepare your home for sale to attract the greatest number of buyers and for top dollar! Click here to learn more about home staging and watch my informational video.

If you need help with staging your home for sale, give Debbie a call 610.955.8202 or click here to fill out the interest form!