Albany           Price Range Active Listings as of 5/27/2011 Sold Listings Last 6 Months Average Sold Per Month Months of Inventory Av. Days on Market Solds $0 - $99,999 25 44 7.33 3.41 117 $100,000 - $149,999 77 75 12.50 6.16 126 $150,000 - $199,999  87 81 13.50 6.44 137 $200,000 - $249,999 58 43 7.17 8.09 204 $250,000 - $299,999 40 16 2.67 15.00 140 $300,000 - $349,999 21 2 0.33 63.00 140 $350,000 - $399,999 4 6 1.00 4.00 93 $400,000 - $449,999 2 * 0.00 * * $450,000 - $499,999 1 * 0.00 * * $500,000 - $599,999 2 * 0.00 * * $600,000 - $699,999 0 1 0.17 * 103 $700,000 + 4 * 0.00 * *   321 268   7.19 133 05/27/2011

Many real estate professionals are hesitant to suggest staging professionals to home sellers, and for some good reasons: Sellers are emotionally attached to the home – and suggestions made that change the decor or ambiance of the home can be upsetting. What if the seller does a bunch of changes and the house doesn’t sell quickly?  Won’t they be irritated for the inconvenience and time spent? What if the suggestions made are too expensive and frustrate my home seller? Here’s the feedback we received this week from some “resistant to staging” clients. (Well – in reality almost hostile clients!) We were hired at the insistence of the real estate agent. Just a thank you for your help with staging our home.  We have already implemented many of your suggestions.  The small things were easy a... 05/16/2011

Albany (Linn County)         Price Range 4/29/2011 Sold Listings Last 6 Months Average Sold Per Month Months of Inventory Av. Days on Market Solds $0 - $99,999 22 42 7.00 3.14 117 $100,000 - $149,999 75 72 12.00 6.25 136 $150,000 - $199,999  74 61 10.17 7.28 128 $200,000 - $249,999 30 20 3.33 9.00 209 $250,000 - $299,999 17 10 1.67 10.20 119 $300,000 - $349,999 5 1 0.17 30.00 190 $350,000 - $399,999 * 1 0.17 * * $400,000 - $449,999 * * 0.00 * * $450,000 - $499,999 1 * 0.00 * * $500,000 - $599,999 1 * 0.00 * * $600,000 - $699,999 * * 0.00 * * $700,000 + * * 0.00 * *   225 207   6.52 150 05/02/2011

Watch this, and if you feel squeezy, you are right! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUldGc06S3U   04/06/2011

My job as a professional home stager takes me into over a dozen homes a week and I meet some fantastically creative people along the way.   It is amazing to me the unique things people do, create and collect - a fun part of my job. All too often I have to tell these clients that their hobbies are going to prevent them from getting a good price for their home. The doll collector, whose guest room housed hundreds of dolls, the former antique dealer who can't let go of so many beautiful antique pieces, the rock collector - whose every flat surface contained rocks, crystals or agates, the quilter, whose fabric collection would be the envy of many small shops and the scrapbooker whose papers, punches and cute items have taken over not only the desk, but cabinets, storage bins and more. yes ... 02/19/2011

Albany           Price Range Active Listings as of 1/21/2011 Sold Listings Last 6 Months Average Sold Per Month Months of Inventory Av. Days on Market Solds $0 - $99,999 23 34 5.67 4.06 131 $100,000 - $149,999 71 67 11.17 6.36 147 $150,000 - $199,999  94 89 14.83 6.34 145 $200,000 - $249,999 46 32 5.33 8.63 164 $250,000 - $299,999 25 18 3.00 8.33 123 $300,000 - $349,999 12 5 0.83 14.40 191 $350,000 - $399,999 5 4 0.67 7.50 139 $400,000 - $449,999 2 * 0.00 * * $450,000 - $499,999 * * 0.00 * * $500,000 - $599,999 3 1 0.17 18.00 43 $600,000 - $699,999 * * 0.00 * * $700,000 + 2 * 0.00 * *   283 250   6.79 135 01/21/2011

Last week a local blog (Desperately Seeking Salem) advised:     “you will want to read this local business’s excellent blog about what it does to make messes into eye candy.”     Eye candy . . . mmmmmm.  I like it!   While it’s not a description I’ve ever used when describing interior design or home staging ideas, I think it’s a perfect description of our business! If you’re wanting to: create a home that makes you smile when you enter the door or a house that is appealing to buyers,   changing those messes into eye candy can be easy and affordable!  It’s just knowing how and what to improve – and that’s our speciality!  This recently staged home is a perfect example. The above faux paint job screamed 1990 when you walked into this beautiful master suite.  Painted over by the owners fo... 10/22/2010

As Professional Home Stagers, we work with lots of different real estate agents throughout the Willamette Valley.  We’ve always had lots of fun and developed some great friendships with many wonderful agents – including some from Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers. Sometimes real estate agents can be a bit demanding — and now they are out for MY blood!  And YOURS! Join me at the Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers Blood Drive on September 23rd from 10 am to 3pm.  My appointment is for 11:15 — anyone want to join me and then go for lunch?  (Give a pint of blood and you’re going to lose a pound!) Contact Pamela for all the scoop and to set up your appointment at cbvalleyalb@valleybrokers.com or 541-928-6317.  The blood drive will be held at their office located at 2225 Pacific Blvd. S.E., Suite 10... 09/09/2010

Weary of hearing that its a “buyer’s market”?  We agree it is a highly-competitive real estate market with a huge inventory of homes competing for buyers.   If you’re looking for a sale does it need to be at a low-ball price or waiting for offers for months? We’ve had more and more calls from home sellers asking us “What else can we do to attract buyers to our home . . . we know we can continue slashing the price, but there must be something more we can do?!” Cleaning, decluttering and staging continue to be the best investments a seller can make their home attractive to buyers.  Home staging is far more than pretty towels and fluffy pillows! Sellers have tremendous power to significantly improve the value of their homes. We’ve said repeatedly — you can’t change the market, your locatio... 08/12/2010

As the host of Real Estate Talk on KGAL here in Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley, I recently had Armando Montelongo (Flip This House / A&E) on my show.  He talked about his methodology and gave some words of experience on how to go about making money by flipping real estate.  Inspired (well - not really) I came across an opportunity and am now Knee Deep in a Knee-knocking adventure! It all started a little over a month ago when I came across a new listing for a house in a decent enough little neighborhood not too far from the Albany Boys and Girls Club.  I grabbed my favorite contractor friend and we went to take a look.  OH MY! This house was a hot-mess indeed - but it seemed structurally pretty sound and the price was about 40% under market value (if it was nice).   Our initial budget i... 07/14/2010

Albany, Oregon is my home, and the summer music programs are one of the things I like most about living here.  A comfortably small town, located right on the Willamette River, and the heart of Linn County, Albany boasts a dedication to music of all kinds.   Two programs jump out...River Rhythms and Monday's @ Monteith.  Both of these programs provide FREE concerts at the Monteith River Park in Historic Downtown Albany.  Local restaurants set up tents, warm summer evenings sitting on your blanket, listening to great music.  Yep, one of my favorite things about making my home in Albany Oregon! 2010 Schedules (for complete information go to City of Albany Parks and Recreation website River Rhythms Schedule July 8  Satin Love - Groove to the sounds of Satin Love Orchestra to start the 2010 ... 07/08/2010

Linn County Fair - Albany Oregon - July 15-18, 2010- There's Magic In The Fair! Hey Folks it's time again for the Linn County Fair in Albany!  Located at 3700 Knox Butte, Albany, OR 97322. Just off of I-5. Get ready Seniors, Thursday, July 15th is Senior day with free until 3PM.  Seniors aged 60+ can be treated to a free ice cream at the VIP Center.  Friday, July 16th is Family Day with free admission until 3PM.  Sunday, July 18th is Support our Troops Day - So, come out and show your military ID for free admission with your paid parking.  Stage acts for the fair include Sawyer Brown, Gin Blossoms, Grand Funk Railroad and Gallager.  Don't for get about all the agriculture displays and the FFA kids!   So make plans this year to head to the Linn County Fair because There's Magic In The Fa... 07/06/2010

Ticor Title – Albany Oregon is presenting a “Get It Sold” Seminar for real estate agents on May 25th.  This seminar will be addressing pricing, home staging and photography and marketing strategies. We’re excited to be part of the team presenting and know it will be packed with great information!  This seminar was also presented in Salem and received RAVE reviews from the attendees — it is worth your time! 05/19/2010

Sorry, I just had to ask . . . I walked through the store and saw the aisle full of Easter candy yesterday . . . and that was the blazing thought on my mind. Who buys all these Peeps? Who would ever eat Peeps? Then I saw this photo . . .                                 I think I'm going to add PEEPS to my shopping list!     Think these ideas are cute?  CLICK HERE for more Easy Easter Decor Ideas!   We love creating great looks for less!  Sometimes its knowing how to use what you have in different ways that can create a great look — (even with peeps!). Need help creating a fresh new look using what you have on hand?  Contact us at 503-881-0886   03/31/2010

Last week I toured several Albany Oregon homes that have been on the market for a LONG time with agents from several different real estate agencies.  Our mission was to establish why these homes hadn't sold and to make recommendations to the home seller and selling real estate agent. One home I just can't get out of my mind, along with the reactions of the group when we entered the living room.  Every one of us said: Wow!  What a surprise!  or . . . Isn't this lovely! Now you may think I've lost my mind - home sellers WANT buyers to think their living rooms are beautiful - right?  The problem? Based on our impressions of the exterior, we were surprised at how the living room looked.  Yikes!  Now the exterior wasn't horrible - just rather blah and uninteresting.  The home's exterior desi... 03/22/2010

Ok, I cannot stress this enough. If you are thinking of buying a home this year, be ware that if you want to take advantage of the $8000 first time buyer tax credit or the $6500 seller's tax credit, you MUST have a deal in escrow by April 30th and it must close by July 1st! That gives you 109 days from today. Now normally that may seem like a lot of time, but its really not. If you are not pre-approved that takes some time now a days and with the amount of inventory on that market, there are more homes to look at and that takes more time as well. Just keep in mind that if you do want to take advantage of this, be ware of your time frames. I've also included the link to the IRS website if you have more questions or need clarification, but also feel free to contact us if you need more inf... 01/11/2010

Santa baby . . . I keep telling you . . . I’ve been a very good girl. When you zip down the chimney this year can we work on a few things?  No you don’t need to load your pack with that ‘54 convertible, (light blue), this year . . . I’ve got a few other things in mind. Please help me get: New paint colors that look right – the first time please A new look for my living room without spending a ton of $$ A de-cluttered and peaceful home to welcome me An closets and drawers that stay organized A bedroom that says “retreat” when I walk in the door. Now Santa – I don’t mean to sound picky or ungrateful for other gifts I’ve received.  I use the vacuum I received last year and am especially appreciative.  And the sweater I know will fit if I just get to the gym more in 2010. But this year - I ... 12/18/2009

I've never been one you'd consider lucky. Never found four leaf clovers . . . always lost my rabbits foot . . . and never had a special lucky number. Usually when I wished on the wishbone - I didn't win. But I've decided I've finally found my lucky charm!   We didn't realize it was special when we bought it-- but it must be a lucky charm and was worth every penny!   My lucky charm has to be the new furniture we bought.   Sound like an odd lucky charm?  (Good thing I don't have to carry it around with me in my purse!)  It must be LUCKY because in the three houses we've used it in, each has sold in record time. First house - on the market for seven months - staged and under contract within seven days Second house - on the market six months - staged and received an accepted offer within tw... 11/18/2009

This is a good FYI from the National Assoication of Realtors on the home buyer tax credits that are now law. I liked the chart and visual representation, as well as the FAQ's just thought I would share the link: http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-party/documents/2009-NAR-Issue-Brief-Homebuyer-Tax-Credit-Changes-1104-1107.pdf   11/09/2009

Do you believe that home staging only applies to high end or custom homes?  Regardless of sales price, staging can help a home sell quicker and for more $$. Nearly 90% of all home buyers look first on the internet for homes.  It’s a proven statistic that listings with photos get more views online.  Photos are key to marketing properties in all price ranges.  Most home buyers are looking for more than a house.  They are shopping for a "home" and the lifestyle this home can offer them.  What do your listing photos say about the lifestyle your home provides?  Is it one of comfort and luxury?  Well maintained and desirable? How compelled would you be to make an appointment to visit this home?  Does it look inviting and make you want to see more?  To get more views - photos need to have some... 10/24/2009