How to Transform a House into a Home
Back in January, I had an opportunity to partner with an investor. Little did I know at the time, I was one of 5 stagers being interviewed. This investor was looking for a partner; someone that he could seek additional insight into the changes he should make to each of his flips. Although he was a prospect, I willingly gave him advice as to what changes would provide the biggest return. In other words (and these are his words, not mine), I treated him as a customer before he even signed on the dotted line. The end result - I secured his business.
In March he called me in again on a new home he had just purchased in Kennesaw, Georgia. By the way, the first home we did together sold in 6 days. As for the home in Kennesaw - it was another investment property and the house needed some work. Here's what I had the pleasure of helping him with:
- Color of the hardwood flooring
- Color for the walls throughout the home
- Selection of the countertop for the kitchen
- Color of the exterior of the home (including shutters)
Here is the before & after picture of the kitchen.
Here is the living room (before & after):
Transforming a house into a home can be easily accomplished with a well thought out plan. Here are some suggestions:
- Flooring - Consider using hardwood flooring when possible as it can add instant warmth.
- Wall color - Don't go white as it can be too stark. Instead, choose a color that has a beige tint.
- Countertops - Based on the wall color, you've got a perfect opportunity to add more warmth by selecting a pattern with some earth tones. In this case, we made the decision to keep the existing cupboards, matched up the hardwood and chose a countertop that would compliment both.
Georgia Interior Solutions (GIS), LLC is Atlanta Georgia's Premier Home Staging Provider. Owner and Real Estate Staging Expert, Kathy Nielsen has appeared on the pages of Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Home Improvement; Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. You can also see one of her staged homes on HGTV's hit show Sleep On It.
With their extensive home staging portfolio, you'll quickly learn that they have the experience and knowledge on what it takes to make your home and/or listing appeal to the prospective buyers. Contact them today for your free no-obligation appointment: 678 522 8392
Home Staging Atlanta - Kathy Nielsen - 678 522 8392
RESA Professional Stager of the Year - Southern Region 2011
Whether your home is vacant or occupied, this Atlanta Georgia Home Stager, Kathy Nielsen, understands what it takes to sell a home quickly. Her homes have graced the pages of several publications, appeared in TV commercials as well as on HGTV's hit program Sleep On it.
With years of experience and a massive inventory - Kathy makes the perfect choice.
Home Staging Website: Home Staging Atlanta
Before and After Pictures: Atlanta Home Staging Portfolio:
Email: Kathy@HomeStagingAtlanta.com
Blog: Atlanta Home Staging
- Kitchen Transformations
- Short on Space? Keep it Simple
- Tips on Selling Your Home From a Professional Stager
- Curtains. Should they stay or go?
- How to dress up your coffee table and end tables when selling
- Quick tips for table settings
- How will buyers remember your home?
- Atlanta Home Staging Consultations - Check out what the homeowner did
- Atlanta Loft Gets Home Staged
- How to ensure your home appeals to a broad base of prospective buyers
Great job, Kathy. You have added much depth & warmth to the home.
Kathy, Great job, what a transformation! But why change the original kitchen color? It looked perfect : )
Adding the pendants and ceiling lighting in the kitchen updated it and the counters look so nice. The updated and staging investament really enhanced this homes value.
Hi Kathy, Thanks so much for sharing "the rest of the story" with us! You have really updated the kitchen with the new wall color, countertops, lighting and appliance updates. I hope you have many more opportunities to work with this investor as it seems the two of you are a great team! The house looks like new construction now, not dated.
I have been waiting to see what magic you worked in that living room and I am not disappointed. It looks great! What a fabulous opportunity for you and I can't wait to hear about the other projects that are in store.
Hi Kathy,
You have such great talent... Beautiful job!
Kathy ~ The kitchen transformation is stunning .... it added so much value it's hard to believe it's the same home.
Beautiful indeed!
We MUST coffee when I return from my trip! It's been WAY to long!
Hello Kathy, Your transformations look fantastic. Keep up the great work.
Hi Kathy, the home looks wonderful...Isn't nice to decorate home and have the pleasure of knowing someone is actually going to enjoy it.
HI Kathy, love the choice in the kitchen. Definitely much more welcoming now.
What surprised me was the difference in the area just above the cupboards. The ceiling looks higher. Turning on the light helps .........but the color must have taken the ceiling up
Hi Kathy,
The paint color and the new countertops make the old cabinets look like new too! I can see why he picked you.
Kathy,
WOW! The lighting, paint, flooring, appliances and counter tops all just beautiful. He is difidently a lucky investor to find you!!! Everything you did improved the home 180 percent. I will look forward to seeing the great things that you will be doing with him. Great Job!!!