THE LITTLE TOUCHES
Key Associates

By:  Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

Whether our design department is working on a staging project or an interior design project, it is often the little touches that make a difference.  Several weeks ago, we shared some "sneak peek" photos from the staging that we created for the "Gentlemen's Model".  Here are some additional pictures from that and another recently-completed model that highlight a few of our favorite accents.

A layering of rich textures creates a focal point on this end table.

Even in the bathroom, a basket of towels contributes to the welcoming feeling.

Carefully selected accessories compliment the furnishings.

   

KEY ASSOCIATES FOR REALTORS

Key Associates

By:  Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

In recent weeks, we at Key Associates have been busy working on a new presentation for Realtors on how we can be better partners in the selling of a home.  There are great opportunities for meaningful collaboration, and we can't wait to work more diligently to further open the lines of communication.  In the coming weeks, I will be checking in with local realtors in our North Carolina market and Lauren Wiles will be talking with Greenville area Realtors. We’ll be asking for a few moments to share our new presentation.  Here's a sneak peak at a slide on why partnering the expertise of Realtors with the professional staging provided by Key Associates creates a successful collaboration.  Please let us know if you'd like a presentation to come to you!

THE CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE STAGING

Key Associates

By:  Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

Last week we disccused saving on home staging; and this week we'll explore an extremely informative document called, A Consumer's Guide to Real Estate Staging.  There are many benefits to both buyers and sellers in staging a home, and this guide takes an in-depth look at those benefits.  Check out the second image of the Table of Contents for the guide - you'll see what a wealth of information is available! 

SAVING ON HOME STAGING

Key Associates

By:  Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

When trying to sell a home, money spent on home staging can be greatly beneficial and often nets much more in the sale of a home.  Statistics have proven that professional staging actually increases profits and decreases market time.  (See statistics from the Real Estate Staging Association, the National Association of Realtors and America Staging Professionals.)
Here is a great article on "9 Tips To Help You Save On Home Staging" from MSN Real Estate: 

9 tips to help you save on home staging - MSN Real Estate

Included in the article is this brief video clip with tips for sellers wanting to stage their own home rather than hiring a professional:

Keep in mind that in hiring a professional home staging company, such as Key Associates, there are the added benefits of an un-biased approach, professional experience, and home furniture and decor items available. 

THE GENTLEMAN'S MODEL

Key Associates

By:  Lauren Wiles

www.keyassociates.biz

One of our favorite places to work is The Woodlands at Furman, a beautiful retirement community on the outskirts of Greenville, SC.  We have helped many a client transition from their home into this lovely community.  Through our work with clients at The Woodlands, we have also been involved on several projects directly for The Woodlands.  This week we take a "sneak peek" into a model apartment we recently completed, which has been coined The Gentleman's Model.  It's filled with warm colors, rich leathers, and comfortable corners to read.  Keep watching for the professional photos coming in the next few weeks.

Welcome Orchids: Orchids are known to be soothing and symbolically mean luxury and strength. Though they are delicate by nature, they live a relatively long life and are naturally welcoming plants. In a tiny space just outside the door, the rich color in this arrangement is meant to leave a lasting first impression on guests and potential buyers. Nothing says "Welcome Home" like the beauty and gracefulness of a potted orchid.

Powder Room: This bath/powder room is just off the office in our recently completed Gentleman's model. With ample space, this powder room has clean lines with a twist of vibrant movement created by the Jacobean printed shower curtain. We added a multi-toned, ornate shaped wood basket with a towel display to move the colors around the room. The wall hangings also repeat warm hues of wheat-yellow, a soft palette of grays, and gentle browns ranging from sienna to chestnut. With the elegant touch these birds display, they are more than suitable to bring the outdoors in.

What is a Gentleman's Model without man's best friend? This metal-worked accent piece, that I lovingly named "Rudy", adds various textured elements and dimension along with its whimsical and playful form.  "Rudy" also doubles as a planter allowing us to add a warming coral flower arrangement. It was the perfect piece of flare to complete this covered gentleman's terrace. And we simply couldn't resist!

HOME STAGING FOR BUILDERS

Key Associates

By:  Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

Home staging is often lumped into the same category as interior design; however, there are very distinct differences to each approach.  Home staging has a primary goal of preparing a home for sale - either an existing home or a newly built or model home.  In staging a home for sale, the goal of the staging must be to appeal to the highest possible number of buyers, while, in interior design, the goal is to appeal to one specific client/family.  An interior designer may not be trained in home staging, and vice versa. 

Builders are one of the groups that can benefit from enlisting the assistance of a professional home stager.  Here is an excellent article from the California Building Industry Association that shares the perspective of how home staging can help builders sell their homes.  The full article can be accessed through this link, and here's a sample paragraph:

 "More and more new home builders are staging their standing inventory production homes in addition to their model homes, due to the high carrying costs of standing inventory. Model home staging is one of the valuable services that a new homebuilder can benefit from, and when done right, it enhances the beauty and grandeur the homebuilder built into the home and adds just enough life so that a homebuyer can feel and emotionally connect -- "fall in love" with it -- on a deeper level."[1]

 

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[1] Beth L. Bliffen, “Perspectives:  Home Staging Can Help Builders With Sales”, California Building Industry Association, 2009, http://www.cbia.org/go/cbia/california-builder-magazine/current-issue/home-staging-can-help-builders-with-sales/

WHO WE ARE:  THE KEY ASSOCIATES TEAM

Key Associates

By:  Allison Taylor

www.keyassociates.biz

We recently had our quarterly meeting at Key Associates, and wanted to share a little information about who we are and how we feel about what Key Associates can offer.  We were each asked to answer several questions - here are a couple of the questions, as well as the answers that we submitted.

Question:  What one word best describes Key Associates? 

Answers:  Professional, Service, Helpful, and Efficient 

Question:  In one word, what is the most important thing we can give our clients?

Answers:  Respect, Service, Relationship, Organization, Confidence, Care

As a team, and individually, this provides a true picture of what we believe in when it comes to serving each and every one of our clients.

Being a small business, we all wear many hats within Key Associates.  Our titles and/or areas of primary function are listed below, although, cross-training is practiced and we all pitch in wherever help is needed.  From left to right:

Lauren Wiles - Marketing and Interior Design

Sarah Madore - Office Manager, Administration

Stephanie Bradshaw - Warehouse Manager, Move Management

Jennifer DiLemme - Marketing Director, Move Management, Home Staging

Allison Taylor - Blogger, Move Management

Behind the camera:  Lue Kirchner - Executive Director, Lead Designer

*This is our core group at Key Associates, however, we have several other wonderful staff who were not present for this meeting and picture.