Tiffani Von Alvensleben
With over 20 years in the real estate business, Tiffani Von Alvensleben knows there’s much more to selling a house than ‘curb appeal.’ Here, Tiffani Von Alvensleben leverages her know-how in interior design and answers a few questions about staging a home for market:
Q: How would you define staging?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Staging a property is the final step in making it more appealing for potential buyers, similar to a model home in a new subdivision.
Q: You have a lot of experience with staging in your real estate investment business?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Yes, after the remodeling crew and cleanup are done.
Q: So Von Vesting focuses on reselling houses, then?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Correct. We buy foreclosed and distressed properties, remodel them and sell them.
Q: Let’s pretend you’re a consultant for staging homes.
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Okay!
Q: Where would you tell a client to put the emphasis?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: The whole house is important, but bathrooms and kitchens are a special focus for potential buyers.
Q: Where would you say is a good starting point for staging?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Get rid of the clutter. I realize that it’s all “your stuff,” but you want the house to no longer be “your house.” Clutter shrinks a room, so de-clutter.
Q: What about living rooms?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Don’t just shove furniture against the walls to try to maximize space. Regroup furniture into conversation-oriented arrangements. Make it cozy.
Q: What about colors?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Dark colors always shrink a room. Go with warm, neutral colors on the walls, and by neutral I don’t necessarily mean white.
Q: What about little-used rooms?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Try making that formerly spare room into a cozy office or study. Put a little bit of furniture, some décor and some books or records in it to make it more inviting.
Q: Do you have any tips on lighting?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Yes, the rule is 100 watts of lighting for every 50 square feet in a room. Also, remember accent lighting and task lights can make a room seem warmer.
Q: Is staging something that can be done on a budget?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Absolutely. It’s really just cosmetics, and things like fresh paint can help present a house much more positively.
Q: What are some other key elements for staging a home?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Things like curtains, fabrics, textures, and above all, a clean house.
Q: What would be your advice for a home seller?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: When you’re to this point of the selling process, staging your home, you need to let go of your emotional connection. Think of it as not even being your house anymore; it’s a home that’s soon going to be someone else’s.
Tiffani Von Alvensleben has a background of over 20 years in the real estate field. Over the years, Tiffani Von Alvensleben’s resumé has included direct sales, property management, real estate investment, marketing and more. Tiffani Von Alvensleben is a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman in the greater Sacramento, California area.
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