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About Me
I am the owner and Chief Creative Officer of "Transform Your Home", a staging, design and consulting company. I do home staging, redesign, and consult on mini-remodeling.
One misconception about staging is that it's expensive. My consultations start at $250 and provide the seller with an extensive blueprint of everything they can do, inside and out, to get their house ready to go on the market. $250 could be the difference between a house that sits and a house that sells.
My background is in visual merchandising and display which lends itself perfectly to staging a home. The concept is identical; creating an environment that compels people to want to buy the "product".
My experience in designing mini-remodels is as a result of designing the ground up remodeling of my own kitchen as well as other rooms in my 60's house. My completed kitchen remodel is featured on the website of woodcraftplus.com, belonging to my cabinet maker who also did Barry Bonds' kitchen. You can also view some of my work on my website, http://www.xformyourhome.com
I am an Accredited Staging Professional, a member of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, a certified Interior Redesign Specialist, a member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and an affiliate member of the Women's Council of Realtors.
In my spare time, my husband and I are the classic rock band " Wild Motion".
One misconception about staging is that it's expensive. My consultations start at $250 and provide the seller with an extensive blueprint of everything they can do, inside and out, to get their house ready to go on the market. $250 could be the difference between a house that sits and a house that sells.
My background is in visual merchandising and display which lends itself perfectly to staging a home. The concept is identical; creating an environment that compels people to want to buy the "product".
My experience in designing mini-remodels is as a result of designing the ground up remodeling of my own kitchen as well as other rooms in my 60's house. My completed kitchen remodel is featured on the website of woodcraftplus.com, belonging to my cabinet maker who also did Barry Bonds' kitchen. You can also view some of my work on my website, http://www.xformyourhome.com
I am an Accredited Staging Professional, a member of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, a certified Interior Redesign Specialist, a member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and an affiliate member of the Women's Council of Realtors.
In my spare time, my husband and I are the classic rock band " Wild Motion".
My Q&A
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Karen Negrete…'s Questions (1)
Karen Negrete…'s Answers (23)
Karen Negrete, ASP, IAHSP,IRIS answered:
I live in the Alum Rock area although up the hill near the golf course. I love the area because you can get a lot for your money on this side of town. Quite of few of the homeowners in the Cragmont/Claremont area are updating their homes. Although there are also short sales and repos too.
The Alum Rock area you're looking at is a mixture of Hispanic, Caucasian, and some Asians. There's some crime but nothing out of the ordinary. There are sites you can go to to see crime statistics.
The schools don't have the best reputation so some people are sending their kids to St. John Vianney that I understand has an outstanding reputation.
There aren't too many great restaurants but you'd be 10 minutes from Eastridge for shopping.
Lastly, I recommend you also look around the McKee/Toyon area. It's a better neighborhood-mostly because it's close to the golf course. Hope this helps!
Karen Negrete
The Alum Rock area you're looking at is a mixture of Hispanic, Caucasian, and some Asians. There's some crime but nothing out of the ordinary. There are sites you can go to to see crime statistics.
The schools don't have the best reputation so some people are sending their kids to St. John Vianney that I understand has an outstanding reputation.
There aren't too many great restaurants but you'd be 10 minutes from Eastridge for shopping.
Lastly, I recommend you also look around the McKee/Toyon area. It's a better neighborhood-mostly because it's close to the golf course. Hope this helps!
Karen Negrete
Karen Negrete, ASP, IAHSP,IRIS answered:
Hi Reg,
Since I am a stager, my answer is obviously biased. :o)
With the mea culpa out of the way, I'd have to say.....absolutely. Professional stagers have (usually) received in-depth training because staging isn't decorating. Staging is identifying and highlighting the property's attributes while minimizing any negatives. Stagers are trained to spot problems with curb appeal, eliminating clutter, and deftly handling the removal personal items that will be distracting to buyers. A well trained stager is worth every penny. Recent stats show that a staged home sells, on average, 63% faster than a non-staged home.
There are a few Professional Staging Associations; I'm a member of Accredited Staging Professionals. You can search the website http://www.stagedhomes.com for an accredited staging professional in your area. Be sure to look at some of their work to see if you like what you see.
Lastly, the cost of staging is usually significantly less than your first price reduction.
Good luck!
Karen
Since I am a stager, my answer is obviously biased. :o)
With the mea culpa out of the way, I'd have to say.....absolutely. Professional stagers have (usually) received in-depth training because staging isn't decorating. Staging is identifying and highlighting the property's attributes while minimizing any negatives. Stagers are trained to spot problems with curb appeal, eliminating clutter, and deftly handling the removal personal items that will be distracting to buyers. A well trained stager is worth every penny. Recent stats show that a staged home sells, on average, 63% faster than a non-staged home.
There are a few Professional Staging Associations; I'm a member of Accredited Staging Professionals. You can search the website http://www.stagedhomes.com for an accredited staging professional in your area. Be sure to look at some of their work to see if you like what you see.
Lastly, the cost of staging is usually significantly less than your first price reduction.
Good luck!
Karen
Karen Negrete, ASP, IAHSP,IRIS answered:
Hi Lisa,
I'm a stager/designer here in San Jose and I've designed some mini-remodels that have included flooring.
There's a fairly new flooring product called Amtico. It's vinyl flooring but looks nothing like vinyl. Since most buyers rate the kitchen as an important room in their buying decision, having a new and unique floor will only add to the appeal of your hous.... providing you can recoup the cash outlay in the sale.
Amtico has a website so you can see the flooring selections.
Lastly, if you decide to have Amtico installed, make sure your Realtor really plays up the uniqueness of the flooring. It's those little things that make a home stand out in the minds of buyers.
Karen
I'm a stager/designer here in San Jose and I've designed some mini-remodels that have included flooring.
There's a fairly new flooring product called Amtico. It's vinyl flooring but looks nothing like vinyl. Since most buyers rate the kitchen as an important room in their buying decision, having a new and unique floor will only add to the appeal of your hous.... providing you can recoup the cash outlay in the sale.
Amtico has a website so you can see the flooring selections.
Lastly, if you decide to have Amtico installed, make sure your Realtor really plays up the uniqueness of the flooring. It's those little things that make a home stand out in the minds of buyers.
Karen
Karen Negrete, ASP, IAHSP,IRIS answered:
Hi Rita,
A lot of condos and townhouses have indoor laundry. I've staged two properties that both have indoor laundry hook ups; 1459 Alma Loop in Willow Glen and 1310 Saddle Rack in central San Jose. The Alma Loop condo is priced in the low $400K while Saddle Rack is in the mid $400K.
Hopefully other Trulia members will know of condos in the price range you're looking at. Another option would be going to http://www.mlslistings.com and doing a search on condos/townhouses in that price range. There should be enough of a property description that will tell you if there is or isn't indoor laundry hook ups.
Happy hunting!
Karen
A lot of condos and townhouses have indoor laundry. I've staged two properties that both have indoor laundry hook ups; 1459 Alma Loop in Willow Glen and 1310 Saddle Rack in central San Jose. The Alma Loop condo is priced in the low $400K while Saddle Rack is in the mid $400K.
Hopefully other Trulia members will know of condos in the price range you're looking at. Another option would be going to http://www.mlslistings.com and doing a search on condos/townhouses in that price range. There should be enough of a property description that will tell you if there is or isn't indoor laundry hook ups.
Happy hunting!
Karen
Karen Negrete, ASP, IAHSP,IRIS answered:
Jonathan,
I used to work for a subcontractor that works a lot with KB Home. They have a high level of customer satisfaction and I believe they were rated #1 through JD Powers and Assoc.
Having said that, it'll be really hard to know when things will happen with the area nearby. If it were me, I'd be concerned that there'd be more high density housing built effectively turning that area in a condo village. Resale could be impacted as there would be a lot more competition. Plus the traffic in that confined area would be a concern.
KB Home has a completed complex up the street on Race and Auzerais called Saddle Rack. Most of the area has been already developed and it sits on a main street so traffic flows much better. I staged a condo there recently and the sellers there are motivated. It might be something to consider.
Regards,
Karen
I used to work for a subcontractor that works a lot with KB Home. They have a high level of customer satisfaction and I believe they were rated #1 through JD Powers and Assoc.
Having said that, it'll be really hard to know when things will happen with the area nearby. If it were me, I'd be concerned that there'd be more high density housing built effectively turning that area in a condo village. Resale could be impacted as there would be a lot more competition. Plus the traffic in that confined area would be a concern.
KB Home has a completed complex up the street on Race and Auzerais called Saddle Rack. Most of the area has been already developed and it sits on a main street so traffic flows much better. I staged a condo there recently and the sellers there are motivated. It might be something to consider.
Regards,
Karen
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