Why Home Staging Is Essential To Sell Your Orlando, Florida Home

Karla M. Davis asked:




Home Staging while still new to some is sweeping the country with its amazing results. What is home staging you ask? What will it do for you in your real estate market? As a Professional Home Stager I’ll share the answers to these and other frequently asked questions so that you can learn the secrets to selling your home Fast and for Top Dollar!

What is Home Staging?

Home Staging, also know as home fluffing, or primping is a service whereby a Professional will provide expert advice to prepare your home for a sale and make it the most buyer-friendly and ready. The ultimate goal is have multiple interested buyers realize “This is the one. I love it!” Once you tap into the buyers’ emotions, their list of requirements can often become less important such as the extra bathroom they originally desired. Home Staging is the art of preparing your home properly with an objective eye to see what buyers see and make the appropriate changes to your home in terms of look and flow. The areas consist of furniture placement, flow of furniture, balance in a room, de-cluttering, general repairs, creating a clean, modern fresh look that one would find in a model home. This can be as simple as using your own furniture, or as creative as using rental furniture in an empty home, as well as the addition of small accessories where needed. It is key to remember that the cost of home staging is almost always less than the cost of a first price reduction.

What will Home Staging do for me?

Ultimately home staging is intended to get your home in shape for showings, open houses so that you can turn it over quickly and for the most amount of money possible. The idea is to not get caught up in costly price reductions, which is what happens when a home is not appealing to buyers. No matter what the real estate market is doing, it is important to remember that Staging sets your home apart from all the others that are your competition. Your home will look clean, fresh, revitalized, modern, and have a cozy feel of a home that the buyer is seeking out. In addition some simple De-cluttering can give your home a more inviting and spacious look.

It is unfortunate to me, the amount of people that have had their house on the market for more than 6 months and have price reductions hovering around $40-$60K. The whole point of home staging is that it creates a demand for your home because it will stand out. It is not uncommon for Staged homes to get offers that exceed the original asking price, which can lead to bidding wars in the sellers favor!

Is Home Staging really necessary to sell my home or can I get by without it?

Certainly many people have been selling their homes for years without the help of home stagers. So the question you have to ask yourself is how long do you want to sit with your home on the market, and how much money are you willing to lose in low offers and price reductions. Since these are the two most common frustrations that home owners face, I urge you to ask yourself how much time you have to waste waiting to sell your home. Again the idea is to set your home apart from all the others that have leaky taps, unusual paint colors and improper furniture placement since those items will make buyers weary of work ahead and wonder if their furniture will look right in a home like that.

What does Home Staging typically cost?

Staging a house can run from a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand dollars. The payoff is in the final selling price you get. It is such a vast range because you must take into consideration many things such as the square footage, price and condition of the house as well as if current furniture exists or if it needs to be replaced with rental or new furniture. Empty homes are a hard sell. This is why home builders’ have model homes. It is hard to envision the home until you can see a layout then have your own ideas of what your furnishings will look like there. Some homes just need a simple re-arrangement of furniture, placement of pictures and art and a new coat of paint along with some de-cluttering. Others require multiple small repairs, rental furniture, artwork, as well as landscaping. At the end of the day, it is best to listen to your Home Stager as they have your best interest at heart, since the results of your depend on it. Some Stagers charge by the hour and some charge by square foot. Myself, I charge by the project as to protect both the client as well as myself in terms of time and cost.

How do I choose a Home Stager in my Area?

You can look on the internet by doing a simple google search as is still your best bet as it will show you articles and websites of those in your area. I myself, reside in Orlando, FL and cover the Central Florida area. You might want to ask your Real Estate agent who they recommend, or if they use anyone that exclusively works for their Agency as this is common. Referrals are always a good way to go, as with any other service.

Most importantly you’ll want to know statistics. What I mean by this is how fast the homes sold, how many offers their clients got and what ultimately the selling price was. Was it their asking price, above that amount etc. If the client had their home on the market for many months and then decided to finally have it home staged what did they see as a result? Having a home that shows well with your personal taste is different from catering to the actual buyer’s emotions. Ultimately you as the seller only care about the final price and how long it takes to get it sold.

If you or someone you know lives in the Central Florida (Orlando) area, please feel free to refer them to me, I’d also be happy to answer any questions they may have. Due to popular demand we will be offering an email consultation service shortly whereby Florida and out of area clients can take a series of photos of their proposed rooms and send them to us by email. We then assess the photos and provide them with suggestions for improving the look and flow of the room and explain how to stage the room using props and accessories they may already have or can purchase for a nominal cost. Fee: $200 per room, Payment through paypal.

I wish for you the best of success in preparing for the sale of your home. As I always say-

Get it Staged. Get it Sold. Get Top Dollar!

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Top Ten Reasons to Home Stage in Central Florida and Orlando

Jeffrey Lynn Johnson asked:




Gone are the days you could simply put a listing on the market and receive multiple offers in hours. But even with this crazy market homes are still selling IF they are (a) priced correctly and (b) look their absolute best. You and your real Estate agent can set the fair price based on the comparable homes being sold in your area and the price they are fetching.

Making a home look it’s very best is where home staging comes into play. Often for a small investment a seller can see huge returns in a short period of time. A good example is retail store windows that draw customers in with captivating visual marketing followed up by inviting, and even inspiring visual marketing inside a store. It really is no different when selling a home. Every home should look its very best from the curb to the back yard. Homes should look warm, inviting and inspire an air of “house pride” winning over the hearts of home shopping public.

Today more then ever it is imperative that all homes listed for sale look their absolute best, otherwise you run the risk of a home sitting on the market month after month while the asking price continues to drop ever lower. Here are 10 reasons you should hire a professional home stager to help stage your home and get that home sold!

1. You Will Make More Money. U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will sell, on average, 17% higher than an un-staged home. It makes more then cents it makes real money to stage a home.

2. Your House Will Sell Faster which = Less Headaches and Hassle. The New York Village Voice reported that the average number of days an un-staged home is on the market is 30.9 versus 13.9 for a staged home.

3. The Cost of Staging Doesn’t Cost A Dime. In a 2003 Home Gain Survey of over 2000 Realtors, it was discovered that sellers who spent up to $1000 staging their home recovered almost 200% of the cost in the sale of their home.

4. Most Home Sellers Can not View Their House Objectively. If you can’t see objectively, you can’t “package” effectively. Have a staging professional get your home into its most advantageous condition for showing.

5. Less Guesswork and “Do It Yourself”. A professional home stager can manage your projects from start to finish. Or, they can give you a detailed enough report based on their extensive knowledge and training to have you “do it yourself”.

6. Only 10% of Home buyers Can Visualize the Potential of a Home. That’s why staging a home is critical! You don’t want the advantages of your home overlooked and left up to the buyer’s imagination.

7. The Longer Your Home is on the Market, the Lower the Price Will Be, so STAGE FIRST! According to a National Association of Realtors survey, homes that sold after 4 weeks on the market sold for 6% less then ones within the first 4 weeks! Don’t be in a position where you have to lower your price…have your house staged.

8. The Money You Make May Be TAX FREE! Take advantage of a possible tax-free capital gain by getting every dollar possible!

9. Leaving Your House in “AS IS” Condition Will Help Sell the Competition. Right now the number of homes for sale on the market is at a record high. Competition is stiff and buyers have very high expectations. Successful agents know that the key to selling competing is professional staging.

10. You Can Relax. You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have done absolutely everything
possible to affect a quick sale of your most valuable commodity and for top dollar!

Now that you know some of the reasons to stage a home and the thought process that goes into staging, perhaps you’re considering hiring a professional stager. You’re probably asking yourself; how much does home staging services cost? Professional home stagers can offer a variety of levels of service, from consultations to full-service staging of a model home. Costs can vary depending on services required and home size. Some staging companies like Home Staging Design Pros offers their initial consultation free of charge so they can evaluate the need and provide a comprehensive pricing structure and customized proposal. In this case the seller has nothing to lose and may even get a lot of helpful hints in the process. Other staging companies charge a small fee for their consultations but then deduct it when the stager is hired. Either way every home put on the market should, at the very least, be visited by a home stager to evaluate the home’s visual impact, from a buyer’s eye, and discuss marketing strategies. Just remember, stagers are your helping hand when it come to the sale of your home. Be sure to take advantage of all your locale stager has to offer.

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Orlando Florida New Home Rebate – $1,000’s in Cash Rebates for Only 2 Minutes of Work!

Jared Dalto asked:




Why buy in Orlando?

Orlando is Florida’s largest inland city. The city has largely been known for its high quality of life and conduciveness to emerging businesses. With a vibrant downtown including clubs, dining, art, theater and restaurants, this could be one reason why real estate too has experienced an upswing. New home buyers are increasing by the day and with the help of an Orlando Florida new home rebate company, it is making it easier to save in the process.

Your home search You’ve just glossed over the properties and picked out your dream home in Orlando. It’s stunningly gorgeous and you just can’t wait to possess it. But wait a minute, before you take the plunge, did you know that you could actually get cash back when you purchase the home? Yes, you heard it right! With the presence of numerous Orlando Florida new home rebate companies you can put some of your hard earned cash right back into your pocket.

Don’t miss out on cash back

Real estate is a tricky business and unless you are careful, you’ll lose out on savings that is right in front of your face. Even before you purchase your dream home, there’s a lot going on in the background. The home builder will usually be paying a commission to the real estate broker or agent that is representing you. This commission ranges from 2-3% or even more. This commission is also included in the purchase cost of your home, irrespective of whether you have a broker or not! This means that is you do not have an agent or broker representing you, the developer retains the commission and it s never paid out to you the buyer. An Orlando Florida new home rebate can be your ticket to getting back a portion of this money. Best of all, this service is free.

Savvy buyer You need not pay more for your home if you do not wish to. How do you do this? Simple, all you need to do is inform your home builder in Orlando, that you are represented by a real estate agent or broker and you will have representation. Even though the commission paid by the builder will be included in the purchase price, you will eventually get a part of it back through the Realtor rebate. The Orlando Florida new home rebate percentage ranges from around 1-2% or even more so, if you bought a $1,000,000 home, you will get back up to $20,000 or much more. That’s a lot of savings!

Chose a reputable company If you buying a home in the Orlando area it is only natural that you’d want to save some money. After all, it’s the Orlando home builder who has paid the commission, why shouldn’t you reap the rewards? Never before has it been easier to buy a home and save with literally no work on buyer’s behalf. Just like in any industry, in real estate there are reputable companies and ones you should not associate with. There will be plenty of companies that claim to offer a rebates. They may promise you the world except you will never get your money back. That’s why it’s so important to check the credentials of the company you’re dealing with and make sure to have a legitimate rebate certificate in your hands to protect your rebate.

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Tallahassee Homes

Thomas Asbury asked:




Tallahassee homes make great starter homes or a place to move to, because right now the prices are right and it is forecasted that the prices will be going up and up. There are so many things to do in Tallahassee, and many other things are within a short drive. Tallahassee also happens to be the capital of Florida.

In Tallahassee right now home prices are at an all time low. Tallahassee homes make a fantastic place to buy a starter home, and if you live outside of Florida and you are going to move there then Tallahassee would be a great place to look at homes. Currently homes in Tallahassee selling for between $100, 000 and $125, 000, and analysts are predicting by the year 2012 home prices could be back up to around $200, 000.

Tallahassee also happens to be where Florida State University is located. Florida State University offers many different majors, and areas of studies. The top five areas of study at Florida State University are Finance, Political Science/Pre-Law, Psychology, Biological Science/Pre-Med and International Affairs. Thanks to Florida State University Tallahassee homes prices are on the upswing.

Another great thing about living in Tallahassee and attending Florida State University is the football. If you are a college football fan then you are in the middle of the biggest school with many rivals. When there is a home game you will see a completely different side of Tallahassee. The biggest rivals of the Florida State Seminoles are the University of Florida Gators and the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Living in Tallahassee you are a short drive away from many different attractions. Tallahassee homes are only a short drive away from Orlando. You can drive to Orlando and go to Walt Disney World, Epcot, Universal and many other theme parks. You are also a short drive away from many beaches, and Georgia, and many other big cities located in Florida.

If you are looking for a new home or looking to move to Florida you should definitely look into Tallahassee homes. Living in Tallahassee you would be close to many huge Florida attractions, you are within driving distance to many beaches. Living in Tallahassee you could also attend Florida State University and receive a top college degree.

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Why Home Staging is Essential in Orlando, Florida

Karla M. Davis asked:




As a Home Stager serving Orlando, Central Florida and surrounding areas, I have never seen so many vacant homes! Without a doubt the majority of my incoming requests come from Realtors and Sellers of vacant properties. The market has changed which means you need to set your home apart from your competitors!

At a time where many sellers currently own two properties, are paying mortgages for both and are eagerly looking to sell, there is no better time to get your home staged. The purpose is to bump your home up several notches with “wow factor” to allow buyers to fall in love with your home and say, “This is the one. I love it!” and get your home sold quickly and for top dollar!

Vacant property sellers are not alone, occupied homes experience the same issues but there are different factors taking place, so I want to focus on vacant properties today. Imagine you are a buyer and your Realtor has pulled up to a home you are about to tour. You’re excited that this could be the one after all of your searching so you eagerly walk through the front door to find empty walls and well an empty house! Every room you look at is a blank canvas which some might say is a good thing. Well, did you know that statistically 93% of buyers cannot see beyond the bare walls and empty rooms?! That means the vacant home will spend much more time on the market and will not likely get the asking price, only to get caught up in price reductions as a result. The other problem is that potential buyers will see that the home owner is desperate to sell and will almost always submit a lower offer, not helpful for the seller!

Why is this? Well, there is something to be said about a clean and fresh space that is warm, inviting and homey. Empty homes lack that very warmth, hominess and inviting feeling that buyers are looking for! Do you ever notice that when you walk through a model home, it has a certain cozy feeling that gets you all happy and excited and your brain starts working away on all of the possibilities that this home could mean for you…maybe it is room for a family, maybe it is more space for a newly married couple, or maybe it is the feeling of a more upscale neighborhood. Whatever the thoughts are, the empty home simply doesn’t convey those.

What do you do? Like many other homeowners of vacant homes, you get it home staged! What that will mean is you will work with a Home Stager and they will get in touch with their furniture rental company and select the appropriate furniture for all or key rooms in your home. They will set up vignettes with props, flowers, art and d

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Orlando’s Medical City at Lake Nona – A Boom To Economy And Real Estate in Central Florida

Gitta Urbainczyk asked:




Burnham Institute for Medical Research opened in April 2009. It will be the major hub in Lake Nona ’s “medical city.” Burnham will be “the research anchor” for the La Jolla, CA’s institute. It’s primary focus will be cancer. Burnham has drawn support from UCF’s Medical School and a research facility constructed by the University of Florida to complete the $85 million dollar 175,000 square-foot “biotech center.” Burnham Institute will continue to advance medical technology and stimulate job growth for “high skilled, high paying jobs” to southeast Orlando ’s Lake Nona.

Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute was built to provide an “innovative research environment” for scientists from a variety of different fields. It employs over 750 scientists. They propose to create an environment where they’ll be challenged to tackle some of today’s most important medical issues and create breakthroughs. By focusing on diabetes, cardiovascular complication, cancer, infectious, and inflammatory diseases they hope to come up with answers.Sanford Burnham’s Lake Nona Campus sits ten minutes from Orlando International Airport and 10 miles south east of downtown Orlando in what is called Medical City at Lake Nona.

The ecology friendly design and construction of Burnham’s campus is particularly important to its developers. Their primary goal of making medical discoveries that benefit the community it serves as well as contributing to the lives of its employees and the community around it is accentuated by its glazed windows and “high performance exterior glass.” The building not only makes the most of the environment’s natural landscape as it high lights the surrounding planned communities but it also adds recognition to the building’s central purpose of benefiting the environment by lowering heating and cooling costs without damaging the ecosystem and polluting the outside environment.

The Burnham Institute sits amidst a growing community of homes, estates, and luxury residences. The facility and homes in the area have incredible views of lush fairways, over 8,000 acres of green meadows, “crystal blue lakes,” and natural springs that run through it. Homes and developments in the area complement its natural beauty and the ongoing development of the medical technology center with its 7,000 master planned community called Lake Nona,a city within a city. Spacious single family, town homes, and condos make up housing options. The medical research facility will advance the community by discovery. Whether you’re working, relaxing, or starting a family Lake Nona ’s Burnham’s Medical Research Institute and its surrounding community will help you discover the best choice for you.

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Living In Orlando, The Sweet Spot Of Florida

Alan LeStourgeon asked:




Orlando Florida is known by some as the vacation capital of the world and it certainly is a great place to vacation with major theme parks such as Universal Studios, Sea World, Islands Of Adventure and of course the mother of all theme parks, Walt Disney World. But not only is Orlando a great place to vacation, Orlando is a great place to live.

With a population of more than 200,000 people that call Orlando home, there are some top notch cultural, sporting, dining, entertainment and shopping experiences to really enjoy. You can take in the Orlando Museum Of Art, the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Ballet, the Florida Film Festival, the Orlando Opera and more for the cultural side of your mind. The Orlando Museum Of Art is my favorite and features world class art exhibits from around the globe. It has been mentioned by Newsweek magazine as one of the top museums in the South.

Or if sporting events are your thing, come watch the UCF Golden Knights play this season’s home football schedule at their new stadium known as Bright House Networks Stadium. The Orlando Magic play at Amway Arena in downtown Orlando if you are a basketball fan or if you can’t get enough football, the Predators play arena football in the same stadium. Other large concert and entertainment events frequent the arena as well.

And if you want something to do at night then world famous Church Street in Downtown Orlando is the place to go. With venues such as music clubs, bars, comedy clubs, dance clubs and more, you are sure to find something to do to feed your nightlife needs.

Yes, Orlando is the vacation capital of the world, but just because you live here doesn’t mean you can’t participate in some of what brings millions of people here each year. International drive is bursting with fun, shopping, dining and attractions for everyone that enjoys a good time. Wet N Wild is a family fun water park good for hours of water bound entertainment. Several different water slides and thrill rides make for an enjoyable afternoon for all ages.

And the Orlando Convention Center along International Drive always has something going on. Whether it is a home show, a boat show, a car show or something else such as an educational seminar, the Orlando Convention Center has something for everyone. It is also the largest convention center and hotel complex in the world.

International Drive includes 5 of the top theme parks in Orlando including Sea World and Universal Studios, more than 30,000 hotel rooms, more than 450 stores, 3 major entertainment complexes and more than 150 different restaurants. You could spend a few days on International Drive alone and not see everything.

And if you are just moving to Orlando and need a place to live, there are nearly 300 apartment complexes and condo rentals available in the metro area to fit every budget. Some include great amenities such as clubhouses, free fitness and exercise centers, business centers with computers and internet access, beautiful swimming pools, racquetball courts and much more. And if you are in the market for a new home there are plenty being built and plenty for sale as Orlando Florida is one of the fastest growing areas in the south.

And you never have to worry about a place to work in Orlando since it is the great vacation escape, the resort and theme parks are always looking for people with many different skills. BellSouth, Lockheed Martin and Walt Disney World are major employers in Orlando with Disney World employing more than 50,000 people.

Yes, Orlando Florida is certainly one of the sweet spots of the southern United States. With everything there is to do here and great places to live and work, there isn’t any reason for a single boring day in this Central Florida paradise.

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Home Staging – So You Think You Can Stage?

Karla M. Davis asked:




As a preferred home staging specialist in the Orlando and surrounding central Florida area I have encountered many homes where sellers attempted to stage their own home only to be disappointed with a lack of offers. Find out if this sounds like you and why a professional will address all of your needs and get your home sold and fast!

Professional Home Staging is growing steadily as is the amount of listed homes on the market. In Orlando alone we currently have over 9300 homes for sale! Sadly many of these homes show terribly on MLS and other marketing materials. With over 85% of potential buyers looking here first before deciding to view a home, your home had better stand out! This means your home has better show well inside and out as well as online.

Okay, so you know the importance of a show-ready home and what it will do for you. Do you truly have what it takes to stage your own home? Here are some points below that you may not have thought about before. Home Staging is about more than just well placed furniture, the right wall colors and appealing decor, it is as much about the demographics in our area, knowing who is likely to buy your home and what exactly that particular buyer is looking for.

Considerations:

1.Do you know what buyers in particular are most apt to view your home? Do you know what this type of buyer is looking for and what is most important to them? While each buyer is unique there are specific items each type of buyer is looking for. Make sure you know what that is or your staging might actually be turning the buyer off!

2.Do you know what the price range is for homes in your area with comparable square footage, number of bedrooms etc? We hope your realtor will know know this as it is their job but sometimes they can be a bit off. A professional home stager will be your next best bet to determine price. They know your specific areas of town and may have even staged one of your competitor’s homes. If the price is wrong it doesn’t matter how you stage it, it is not likely to sell.

3.Do you truly know why mass buyer appeal is? There are certain trends that apply to home staging. Do you know what they are? There are colors, d

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Homes For Sale in Anchorage

Cindy Wilson asked:




Anchorage, officially called the Municipality of Anchorage, is one of the consolidated city-boroughs of Alaska. Located on the coastal lowland and extending up to the Chugach Mountain slopes, the area is known for its beautiful landscape. If you are thinking of relocating to Alaska, you can find a great home for sale in Anchorage, Alaska and settle down. Homes for sale in Anchorage gives you the option to choose according to your requirements and budget.

Anchorage, Alaska, is a fast developing area. The main economic sectors that contribute to the development of the city-borough are military, transportation, and tourism. The area is also known for its parks and places of attractions, especially the centers of art and culture. You can also find a number of recreational options if you select a house in the area. Living in Anchorage, Alaska, gives you the opportunity to enjoy all facilities of the modern world.

Anchorage, Alaska, real estate has been adversely affected by the recession and post recession phases. However, things are bettering with time. The real estate prices are still quite reasonable. If you want to buy one of the homes for sale in Anchorage, the best time to do so is the present. The average listing price of homes for sale in Anchorage is $365,673, recorded on the week that ended on December 8, 2009. However the price is on the steeper side in popular neighborhoods like Goldenview Park, Potter Valley, and Prominence Pointe.

The average price for Anchorage homes is $133 per square foot. This is an increase of 14.7% from the figures recorded last year. The median price is $219, 568. You can find a single-family home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for $242,565. However, prices go up to about $895,000 for a single-family home with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The price varies depending on the location of the house, the features, and such details of the property.

Confused about how to find a home for sale in Anchorage that meets your needs? Maybe you have been looking for a property for a long time but without useful results. The problem is many real estate buyers do not have any idea about where to look. To solve your problems, have a look at the listings of a real estate agent working in Anchorage, AK. This is the best way to find a home for sale in Anchorage according to your requirements and budget.

The real estate agent can also be of assistance when it comes to negotiating a property deal. You can clarify all your doubts about the terms and conditions of the deal from the real estate agent. Moreover completing the formalities of the deal can also become easier with the help of the real estate agent. It is a good idea to choose a real estate agent with expertise and experience in the field.

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Decorating – Spend Less Redecorating Your Central Florida Or Orlando Home

Karla M. Davis asked:




With an over abundance of decorating shows, magazines and online tools available to us our design options are endless! We can Stage or home for a sale, Decorate for the first time in a new home or Redecorate, otherwise know as Redesign. Spend less by working with a Redesign Specialist instead of an Interior Decorator, get a room makeover in a day and keep your pocket book in tact. Here’s how…

There is a new wave of decorating known as Interior Redesign, you may have heard it before but what does it really mean? How is it different from traditional Interior Design and Decorating? Is this similar to home staging? The answers are all here to help you make the best decision as you plan to change the face of your space.

Interior designers have been trained in terms of the structural layout of the home and are qualified to make such changes as knock down walls to open up a space and create new spaces or additions. They also of course focus on a color scheme, overall feel of the room as well as any theme and really shine in the area of custom window treatments and recommending special fabrics. Interior decorators do not have the certification to make structural changes but do focus on the overall d

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