WHAT IS A HOME MANAGER?

A Showhomes Home Manager is a person or family with beautiful home furnishings who lives in a vacant home for sale. In exchange for keeping it clean and letting Realtors show the home, Home Managers get dramatically reduced monthly fees, far below the market rate.

Home Managers are professionals who are:

- Relocating

- Building a New Home

- Seeking Temporary Housing

- Going Through Family Changes Such As Divorce

- An Individual or Family Looking To Reduce Expenses

- An Individual or Family Looking to Maintain Their Currently Level of Living or Lifestyle

- Looking To Get Familiar With An Area Before Purchasing

- Looking For Flexibility As There Are No Long Term Lease Requirements

WHY stage?

Competition. With 9 out of 10 buyers previewing or finding their homes online, presentation has never been more important. Staging your homes gives you a competitive edge over your competition. It also reduces low ball offers that buyers associate with vacant properties.

"Price Gets you Interest, Staging Gets you Offers." (Gary Keller, Keller Williams)

Owner Occupied Homes

Known for our success in staging vacant homes, we also help sellers with owner occupied homes. Whether it's a home on the market for sale or a new home, we can provide staging expertise to showcase your home. For occupied homes on the market for sale, we can re-design and re-purpose the existing furniture and decor of the home, and using your furnishings, create a "model home" look that buyers respond to. Staging enhances the presentation of your home and makes it more competitive in the market place, helping to capture a faster sale at a premium price (vs. a non-staged home). A professional stager can also provide useful information and often resources to help with packing, moving, de-cluttering and organizing, making your move easier and preparing the home for staging. Staged homes sell faster and for premium prices, bringing a greater net gain to the table for sellers.

Paint

While that favorite shade of purple was perfect for you, it may be a turn-off for that potential buyer. With a Showhomes Update we can provide the perfect changes with our Exclusive Color Palettes which are on-trend neutrals that will not distract from the outstanding features of your home and will provide mass appeal. Your Showhomes staging professional will help select the perfect palette for the look and feel that will place your home above the competition of similar homes for sale.

Home Managers are professionals who are:

- Relocating

- Building a New Home

- Seeking Temporary Housing

- Going Through Family Changes Such As Divorce

- An Individual or Family Looking To Reduce Expenses

- An Individual or Family Looking to Maintain Their Currently Level of Living or Lifestyle

- Looking To Get Familiar With An Area Before Purchasing

- Looking For Flexibility As There Are No Long Term Lease Requirements

WHY SHOWHOMES?

Showhomes is America's Leader in the Home Staging Industry. With over 30 years of experience, and a network from coast to coast, the Showhomes network has helped sell over 30,000 homes worth over $10 billion. We're proud to have partnered with many local and national real estate brands such as Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway, Re/Max, Century 21 and more. We've successfully helped thousands of realtors, homeowners, investors, banks and builders market and showcase their listings for a faster sale and higher price. Our service speaks for itself. Our results pay for the service.

NEW HOMES

But we don't just do homes for sale, we're happy to help you with your new home too! If you're craving a new look, hungry for some new ideas or inkling to have a "makeover" of your own, we can help. Showhomes staging experts can design, re-design and provide DIY information or a full service "makeover", transforming your home in as little as 1 day. Showhomes is the leader in decorating and staging; we can help you create the home you'll fall in love with which suits your lifestyle and personal preferences.

REPLACE OLD CARPET

Worn or dated carpeting is the #1 turn-off for home buyers. The thoughts of selecting, purchasing and dealing with installation will have a potential buyer quickly check the home off their list. With a general 3 to 1 return on investment, fresh and new carpeting can be the key to a faster home sale. Coordinating with our Exclusive Showhomes Color Palettes, our light neutral warm and cool tones of carpeting will not only be pleasing to your budget but will give your home a true designer look. All home sellers want multiple offers and a quick, profitable sale. A Showhomes Update can be the answer to what you've been dreading. From palette selections through job completion and installations, we not only provide staging design but bring in qualified contractors to quickly and painlessly prepare your home for sale. The value Showhomes brings and the return on investment is why Showhomes is the nation's leader in Home Staging and Design.

PRIVACY POLICY

This Showhomes Franchise Corporation Privacy Policy (this or the "Privacy Policy") explains our practices, defines our users' ("you" or "your") privacy options and describes how your information is collected and used by Showhomes Franchise Corporation ("we," "us," "our," or "Showhomes").

By using the Showhomes website or any of our features or resources you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to modify this policy from time to time and will mark new versions with a corresponding effective date. We recommend you visit the Showhomes website to review any changes in our practices.

This Privacy Policy governs your use of the Showhomes® website at www.showhomes.com, www.showhomesfranchise.com ("Sites").

Our Sites may contain links to other websites. These links are not endorsements of any products or services on such websites. These websites may have privacy policies different than our Privacy Policy.

What Information is Collected?
We may collect personal information from you on our Sites or through any other digital or personal communication with you. Information collected by us is voluntarily provided by you and may include information such as your name, email address, and physical address. Our Sites may also collect general information about your technology interface or preferences (such as the type of browser used or the files requested).

The information we may collect includes, but may not be limited to:

• Your contact information, such as your first name, last name, phone number, and email address, to allow us to respond to submitted inquiries;
• For potential franchisees, your contact and financial information, such as your first name, last name, email address, physical address, cash/liquid capital to invest, and net worth, to allow Showhomes to respond to submitted inquiries;
• Information regarding your browser and other technical specifications required to use our Sites;
• Computer data or files, often called "cookies," which may be sent by your web browser and stored on an individual computer to allow our server to "recognize" you through the navigation of the Sites;
• Computer data files, often called "web beacons" that are collected from emails or links on third-party sites that allow our server to evaluate the popularity of those links or the information contained in emails or on third-party sites; and
• Your IP address to measure our website traffic and to help provide a more personalized experience.

Children Under the Age of 13
Our Sites are not designed for children and we do not knowingly collect information from any person we know is under the age of 13.

How is User Information Used and Shared?
We collect information about you in order to provide you with services and also collect information that is necessary for our Sites to work properly. We use personal information about our users for a variety of purposes related to our business, including but not limited to:

• Allowing you to receive information from us regarding Showhomes services;
• Adding information from social media platforms to our Sites where you discuss our services or use a hashtag related to our services;
• Sharing information with our local franchisees regarding your request to become a Home Manager or other request on the site;
• Tracking information about your visits to our Sites to allow us to provide better service;
• Sending or initiating direct marketing programs, such as newsletters or information about new products or services we (or any of our affiliated companies) are offering;
• Contacting you regarding an inquiry on our Sites that you have initiated; and
• Providing information about your usage or preferences to our third-party vendors and providers.

We may share information, in the aggregate, regarding your online browsing preferences to evaluate our services or allow third parties with whom we work to better serve our users. We will not share personally identifiable information in these instances, other than described in this Privacy Policy. We may, however, share personally identifiable information with franchisees or our local business partners regarding inquires you have made for a specific Showhomes® market. All financial information submitted in connection with a franchise inquiry will be kept confidential and will not be shared with third-party vendors.

We may provide user information to third-party service providers or vendors for purposes of, including without limitation, initiating direct marketing programs on our behalf, data tracking, maintenance or development of our Sites, development of online services or customer service, or other contracted promotional opportunities provided to our users. We will not share your information with third parties to directly market their products to you. We may share this information with any subsidiaries, licensees, suppliers, distributors, affiliates, assigns, successors, or other related entities and their respective owners. We may also share your personal information in connection with law enforcement requests or in response to investigations, subpoenas, court orders, or other legal process to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims or as otherwise required by law.

Business Transfers
We may also disclose your information to a third party as part of the reorganization or a sale of the assets of Showhomes, or its subsidiaries, divisions or franchisees. Any third party to which Showhomes transfers or sells the Sites or related assets will have the right to continue to use the personal and other information that you provide to us.

Behavioral Advertising
We may also use third-party vendors, such as Google Analytics, to advertise to our users online. These third-party vendors may display Showhomes advertisements on other websites based on your internet usage. More specifically, these vendors use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytic cookie) and third-party cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) together to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on your past visits to the Site or another site affiliated with Showhomes. Any information that these third parties collect via cookies is not linked to any personally identifiable information (name, address, email address, or phone number) we collect or you provide on the website. You can opt-out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising by using Google's Ads Settings.

How is User Information Protected?
We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for all user information collected on our Sites.

How Can Users Limit Information Collected?
By providing information to us or browsing our or our franchisees' Sites, you are consenting to our use of your data as outlined in this Privacy Policy.

While we work hard to use and disclose our users' personal information only for the purposes identified above, you can choose not to provide personal information or limit the personal information obtained by us as follows:

• You may have your contact information removed from our marketing lists that are used to inform users of new or relevant products, services, and special offers by clicking on the unsubscribe link in any communication received from us or by emailing us at [ADD EMAIL ADDRESS]; and
• You may limit the collection of "cookies" from your Site usage through your browser settings. However, this may disable our ability to provide you with the most relevant information regarding the Sites.

Your California Privacy Rights
California Civil Code Section § 1798.83 permits users of our Sites that are California residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please contact us via the Sites.

Contacting Us
For additional information pertaining to our Privacy Policy, please contact:

Showhomes Franchise Corp
2110 Blair Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212

How to Layout Your Living Room for Home Staging in Lincoln

Every living room has its own perfect layout. Depending on the space, the furniture, the light, the vibe - everything plays into how to lay out a living room. Whether you're home staging in Lincoln or just looking for a change, rearranging your living room can change the entire feel of the space and provide a much-needed update. Here's how to layout your living room with ease.

Plan

The first thing is to come up with a plan for how you want to layout your living room. Keep in mind the point of why you're trying a new layout. Are you home staging in Lincoln so potential buyers will fall in love with the space? Or do you have a new piece you'd like to highlight? Make a plan for exactly why you're rearranging and keep that in mind along the way.

Arrange

Arrange, arrange, and rearrange! In the planning stage, you probably started with one or two layouts that you thought would work. Then you got into the arranging and realized the light hit certain things wrong, or the flow just didn't feel right. Arranging and rearranging is what living room layout is all about. Each living room is unique and can be served in various ways. Don't be afraid to try. Go with your gut and put each piece where it feels like home.

Buy

Maybe your layout is perfect but you have a blank space that is just beginning to be filled. Or maybe you love everything where it is, but wish your couch was a little bit narrower to work in the space it has to be in. After you've arranged (for the most part) you'll be able to see any gaps in your decor that need can be filled with a new purchase or two. If you're home staging in Lincoln, you can hire the professionals to bring in whatever you need to make the space complete. If you're just doing a revamp, make a budget and get to shopping!

Function

One of the most important things to keep in mind when you're laying out your living room is how it functions. Think about how your family uses the space and the functionality it needs to have in relation to space. The key to arranging furniture to leave enough space but not too much. You want to keep pieces central to the congregation area close enough together so that conversation can flow easily. But you want to leave enough space so that you never feel trapped. Also, you'll want to work with the space you have and highlight it.

Scale

Speaking of using the space you have, make sure everything is kept to scale. As an example, if you have a limited area for a couch - don't buy a huge couch. Get a couch that works in the space that's allotted without pushing the limits. Don't crowd the space with too many pieces and accessories. No one wants to feel overwhelmed by a room. This is particularly important if you're home staging in Lincoln - potential buyers want to feel at home in your space instead of stressed out.

Have fun with your space and your furniture! Make it work and if it doesn't, get something new to spice it up!

Best Bedroom Window Treatments

Looking for a new treatment option for your bedroom windows? If you've just moved into a new space or are looking to make your home brand new for potential buyers, updating window treatments can be key. When you're home staging in Lincoln, you want to make small improvements that potential buyers will notice and appreciate. Something as simple as adding modern window treatments can have a big impact. Here are some of the best bedroom window treatments for your home.

Mixed

Mix it up in your bedroom with two levels of drapery - one sheer and one opaque. Take a book from the pages of hotel design and give yourself instant window treatment options. During the day, either draw back both layers or keep the sheer layer closed to let light in. At night, close both layers for ultimate privacy. It might sound simple, but especially when home staging in Lincoln potential buyers love to see versatility and possibilities.

Luxe

One way to wow potential buyers, or just make your bedroom feel a little more royal, is to add luxurious fabrics and accessories as window treatments. Drapes made of silk can give your bedroom a romantic and luxurious feel while adding tassels, beads, or buttons will create a sense of royalty. Use heavy drapes in rich colors with metallic finishes for a stately ambience.  

Shades

Using shades in the bedroom is an excellent idea when it comes to window treatments. They offer an added layer of privacy but don't have to be boring. Window shades come in a variety of styles and materials to fit any space. Whether you're home staging in Lincoln or just updating your bedroom, investing in window shades can provide a large return either in comfort or in a selling price. When it comes to bedrooms, going with something like pleated, roman, or wooden shades can offer softer options for this space.

Floor to Ceiling

Going for a dramatic floor to ceiling window treatment in the bedroom can make a space look larger than life. When trying to impress potential buyers with home staging in Lincoln, making a bedroom feel larger by using dramatic window treatments can really pay off. There are rooms where this type of window treatment won't work - if the space is particularly small a floor to ceiling treatment will become overwhelming.

Shutters

Plantation shutters are a beautiful option for bedroom window treatments. Not only do they provide another layer of privacy, but they add a whimsical and rustic feel to any bedroom. This might be an option that's above and beyond when it comes to home staging in Lincoln, but if you're investing in a renovation - custom shutters could be a great option to give your space an entirely new look.

There are a few rooms that updates can be ultimately fruitful - whether through garnering an increased selling price by home staging in Lincoln or just by increasing overall value. Updating the master bedroom just by installing new window treatments is an easy and lucrative fix. 

Three Valuable Home Makeovers in Lincoln, NE

Affordable Home Office Chairs to Complete Home Staging in Lincoln

Putting your home on the market can be an overwhelming and costly process. The last thing you want to do is drop lots of money on stuff for home staging in Lincoln when you're about to move. But, making sure your home is presentable to potential buyers is key in the selling process. Not only will your home be swept off the market quicker, you could even benefit financially in the end.
If your home is one of the many to offer an office space, you definitely want to highlight it! More and more people are working from home, or brining their office jobs home with them. Showcase your space with an updated and productive office environment. You don't have to drop a ton of cash on fixing up your office space. Something as simple as a new chair can make a workspace feel completely different. So, here are some thrifty options for updating your home office chair.

Salvage and DIY

Chairs are some of the easiest things to find at thrift stores, vintage shops, garage sales, and flea markets. As long as the chair has "good bones," you can fix it up and use it in home staging in Lincoln. If you're not as crafty as you'd like, look for chairs that are mostly wood. Anyone can sand and stain or paint with a few supplies and some elbow grease. If you're a seasoned DIYer, don't shy away from chairs that feature upholstery. Re-upholstering a chair isn't the easiest but also doesn't have to be hard. Chairs that have removable upholstered seats are perfect for refinishing. Just pop out the seat, tear off the old materials, stuff, wrap, and staple. Voile - a perfectly good home office chair to feature in home staging in Lincoln.

Discount Options

If you don't have the time or talent to bother with DIYing, there are thrifty new home office chair options as well. Sites like Wayfair and Overstock.com offer a variety of affordable home office equipment and accent chairs. Don't forget, just because it's not in the "home office" section doesn't mean it can't be used as a workspace chair when you're home staging in Lincoln! Here are some of our favorite options right now:

Fashionable

These options are fashionable and affordable. You'll usually find them under the accent chair heading, but they can serve a dual purpose as office chairs, too!
Basil Side Chair - Wayfair, in three color options.
Feldman Upholstered Slipper Chair - Wayfair, options for upholstery type and color.
Simple Living Tufted White Faux Leather Guest Chair - Overstock, color options available.

Functional

More than your typical office chair, these functional yet sophisticated options are perfect for home staging in Lincoln.
Ripple Mid-Back Office Chair - Overstock, in several color options.
High-Back Mesh Executive Chair - Wayfair, available in black or red.
Ginseville Desk Chair - Overstock, various color options.
The options are nearly limitless when it comes to finding the perfect home office chair to complete your home staging in Lincoln.

Whether you opt to DIY a treasure that you can take with you or select a cheap option you may leave behind, your potential buyers will appreciate your efforts. Happy hunting!

Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Pool for Home Staging in Lincoln

Getting your house ready to go to market can be costly. But there are easy ways to prepare for home staging in Lincoln that won't add to the financial stress of moving. If you have a pool or spa in your backyard, you're already ahead of the game when it comes to added home value. It doesn't take a ton of work to make this much sought after area a little bit more enticing to potential buyers. Here are some easy, and cost effective, ways to upgrade your pool or spa.

Landscape
Landscaping can go a long way when it comes to sprucing up an outdoor pool or spa area. Simply having manicured and healthy grass can make a world of difference. Beyond that, planting a few colorful and relaxing plants around the pool can add to the overall allure. Make sure to trim any nearby trees or bushes and clean up your kids' toys if they're scattered around.

LED Lighting
Adding some LED lighting to your pool or spa area is a thrifty way to make a simple pool seem extravagant. Install colorful LED lighting below the water or anywhere around your pool or spa space. It can be cheaper than traditional flood type lighting and provides a more luxurious and upgraded feel. Potential buyers will be impressed and more likely able to see themselves enjoying the simple luxury of a colorful backyard focal point.

Tile Additions
While retiling your entire pool area might not be in your budget, adding a line or two of new and modern tile to your existing outdoor area could make a huge impact. If the rest of the surface around your pool or spa is relatively up to date, throwing down some unique tile will show potential buyers that care was put into home staging in Lincoln and preparing your home for sale. If your existing tile or surface isn't that great, skip this - especially if you can't afford to replace it all.

Water Features
This might sound like a budget buster, but adding a water feature to your pool or spa can be easy and affordable. Most water features like waterfalls, scuppers, and sprayers, are easy to add to existing pools. While this addition is on the higher end of a home staging budget, they can also have a more dramatic impact when paired with landscape. Everyone wants their own personal tropical oasis in their backyard and water features exude luxury.

Switch to Salt
Salt water pools are becoming more popular and common. Not only are they easier to maintain, salt water is gentler on the eyes and skin. These systems use salt instead of chlorine to treat the water and keep it clean. With a salt water system, you don't have to worry about handling dangerous chemicals. It doesn't cost a ton to switch your traditional chlorine pool to a salt water system, but again could provide a great benefit when selling.

If your house is on the market and you're looking for some easy ways to make it buyer ready, you don't have to spend a fortune. Sprucing up existing features of your home and putting in a little sweat equity through home staging will pay off in the end. Home staging in Lincoln is the perfect way to show potential buyers the best of your beloved home.

Bathroom Tile Updates for Home Staging in Lincoln

Bathroom Tile Updates for Home Staging in Lincoln

There are lots of things on home buyers lists: good schools, greenspace, garages, curb appeal, etc. But one of the most-sought after luxuries is an up-to-date bathroom. If you’re putting your home on the market and preparing for home staging in Lincoln, you don’t want to spend a ton of cash updating your bathroom. But you do want to make sure potential buyers are interested in your home. A simple way to give any bathroom a new and modern feel is through changing tile. Here are some great bathroom tile styling ideas for your home, whether it’s on the market or not.

Mediterranean Flair

Step into a whole new world just by using some creative bathroom tile styling. Many times, sellers are advised against trying unique ideas when they’re home staging in Lincoln. However, by adding some subtle worldliness to your bathroom, your home could stand out from others on the market. You don’t have to go over the top when incorporating a worldly vibe into your bathroom. Select some subtle tiles that are reminiscent of Mediterranean shapes or choose a few bold tiles to dot throughout the rest of your simple tile pattern.

Touchable

A unique way to make your bathroom stand out to potential buyers is by using a type of tile they may have never seen before but will still love. A recent trend in tile has been 3D – tile with a visual and tactile effect. A great way to keep your space simple yet interesting is to use a 3D tile in a muted color like white, off-white, or light gray. This will keep the element from overwhelming potential buyers during home staging in Lincoln, yet provide just enough flair to keep them interested in your renovated space and home.

Black and/or White

Simple white is a traditional staple in bathroom tiles. Getting creative with shape, pattern, and placement is where you can flourish when it comes to traditional white tile. A new and edgy trend in bathroom remodeling is to use all black tile. This can create a very modern and sleek look but should only be tried in larger bathroom spaces with lots of natural light. Harken to a simpler time by using both black and white in your bathroom revamp. Alternating black and white tile evokes images of old Hollywood and gives any bathroom an elegant flair. In addition, there are several tiles featuring bold black and white patterns that you could use to spice up your space.

Shape and Material

What’s the first thing people notice about a bathroom? Probably not the floor, unless some really interesting tile has been thrown down! Focusing on the floor in smaller bathrooms is an excellent way to incorporate a unique or bold vibe into any space. In small spaces, you can also add a high-end aspect to your bathroom through marble or natural stone. If you’re reworking a smaller space, you’ll save money due to square footage but also improve home staging in Lincoln with your high-end selection. Potential buyers will be impressed and appreciate the value it adds to the overall home. If you don’t have a small space or the budget to entertain this type of tile, seek out a unique shape for a reasonable cost. Using unusual shapes on the bathroom floor is a way to incorporate personality without overwhelming potential buyers.

Whether you’re focused on home staging in Lincoln, or just looking for an update, switching out bathroom tile is a great way for a refreshing change. While you’re at it, don’t forget to throw in a new rug or towel set that compliments your new tile for an extra touch.

3 Home Office Styles to try in Lincoln

Are you looking to put your home on the market? If so, you’ve probably already considered home staging in Lincoln. Making sure your home is inviting and impressive to potential buyers is a critical part of the selling process. Getting your house cleaned, organized, and tour-ready is a must if you’re planning on putting it on the market. One of the most common places to collect clutter is the home office. If your office is full of papers, boxes, and general mess, you’ll need to get it together before showing it off. While you’re at it, why not consider a small revamp to impress potential buyers? Here are some great ideas for inviting home office styles.

Modern

Updating a home office to a modern style is as easy as a trip to IKEA. Sleek lines and industrial vibes are sure to please potential home buyers as they tour your space. If you’re updating to a modern look, make sure it works within the overall feel of your home. If the rest of your home is rustic, tossing a modern home office in the middle might be a little jarring. But feel free to incorporate modern elements into any home office, like metal lighting and storage options.

Classic

Nothing beats a classic home office. When home staging in Lincoln, consider your audience. Is your home suitable for an older set? If so, a classic home office might appeal to potential buyers. Think strong, dark, and wooden when designing a classic home office. Heavy desks and executive wooden chairs with leather accents work well in a classic theme. In addition, considering what is adorning your walls. If you have certifications or diplomas lying around, get them framed for an easy and impressive decorative touch.

Chic and Comfortable

A home office shouldn’t have a rigid and corporate vibe. The beauty of a home office is that it’s in the comfort of your own home. So, give it some personality. Is the rest of your home outfitted with a vintage and rustic theme? Carry that into your home office. When you’re updating for home staging in Lincoln, head to discount home décor stores to score rustic home office accessories. Stores like Home Goods offer lots of options for organizers, shelves, and even office furniture in varying styles. Pick something that says comfort and concentration and go for it.

Maybe you don’t have the time or energy to devote to updating any space in your house pre-move. Not to worry! Professional home staging companies can make your Lincoln home ready for potential buyers to tour in no time. Companies offering home staging in Lincoln can focus on one room, or the whole house, depending on what your needs are. They’ll bring in new materials, arrange, and organize in ways that will best benefit you and your bottom line. Potential buyers not only respond better when viewing a staged home, they are likely to pay more for the property.

If you have any questions about home staging in Lincoln, contact Showhomes for more information!

Ideas for Kitchen Islands - Home Staging in Lincoln

Ideas for Kitchen Islands in Lincoln

Are you in the process of updating your home? Kitchen islands in Lincoln can increase the value of your house and the efficiency of your kitchen! Adding an island to your updated kitchen not only provides extra prep and gathering space, it gives your space an overall feeling of class and complexity. But, when it comes to kitchen islands, the possibilities are endless. Where do you begin? First, you’ll want to decide if you’re going to DIY your kitchen island, or have it installed by a professional contractor. Here are some great options for either path!

DIY and Movable

Don’t have the budget or the bother to turn over kitchen islands in Lincoln to a contractor? Not to worry. There are several DIY and non-permanent options on the market.

Creating a beautifully unique and budget friendly kitchen island can be as easy as repurposing an old piece of furniture. Find a sturdy and tall table, add another shelf to the bottom and some spindles on the sides. Voile! Brand new kitchen island. Or, you can try this unique take by using two old dressers with a large top piece to create a folksy but functional piece for your kitchen.

Not into DIY? No problem. Major retailers offer kitchen islands in Lincoln that are easy to assemble and easy to move. Many options have wheels included on the bottom for easy transport. Of course, you’ll want to make sure the wheels are lockable so the island doesn’t fly out from under you while you’re in the midst of furious dinner prep.

Home updating in Lincoln can get costly, these ideas are easy on the budget and quicker than hiring someone else to complete the project.

Installed Islands

If you have the money to sink into home updating in Lincoln, you might want to consider paying someone to build a custom kitchen island for you. A kitchen island should serve three purposes: additional prep area, additional storage space, and additional gathering space. By working with a contractor, you have more say over the colors, materials, and unique ways you can incorporate these main elements into your custom kitchen island.

Keep in mind “island” doesn’t actually have to be independent from all the walls in your kitchen. If you have limited space but still want a functional island and bar area, you can elect to install a peninsula that has seating for several but also serves as a prep space for the main kitchen area. Top it off with bold bar stools to complete the look.

Kitchen islands in Lincoln are on trend and getting more popular. In addition to rising in popularity, the size of kitchen islands is increasing. They’re becoming a focal point in homes where people gather during every day interactions and large gatherings or celebrations. When considering home updating in Lincoln, you want to keep the addition of a kitchen island in mind. Not only will it increase the value of your home, it might even increase the opportunity to spend even more time with those you love. And that is priceless.

5 Tips for Home Staging in Lincoln

The offer on your dream home has been accepted and there’s so much to do. You’re contacting painters, movers, landscapers… But what about selling the old place? Home staging in Lincoln is one of the most effective ways to get your property off the market and off your hands. By doing just a little bit of work or hiring a company like Showhomes to professionally stage your place, you’ll reap the benefits with a quicker and more lucrative sell.

Making sure your former house feels like a home when potential buyers walk through the door is crucial to the selling process. Home staging in Lincoln can be beneficial not only for buyers to picture themselves in a future home, but it gives you an advantage that other sellers may be ignoring. Having a well-maintained property that is clean but feels lived in will make potential buyers more confident in their decision and allow them to successfully picture themselves and all of their belongings in each room.

Here are some tips for home staging in Lincoln.

1.       Neutral Works. People hate having to think about re-painting or re-carpeting an entire house. You might love bold colors, but if you’re trying to sell a home, neutral is best. When completing your home staging in Lincoln, work with neutral colors from bottom to top. Switch out dark curtains for lighter ones. Paint the walls a crisp off-white. You can add subtle pops of color, but keep the big things neutral. This allows people to imagine their own tastes throughout.

2.       Open Up. Showcase your closets! This might seem counterintuitive, but if you have great closet space, keep the doors open for potential buyers to see. Closet space is one of the most sought after features, so don’t feel like you have to keep everything closed. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Just be sure to clean and organize first!

3.       Facelift the Front. Invest in curb appeal when home staging in Lincoln. Slap a new coat of paint on the front door. Trim the hedges. If the weather allows, plant some new flowers out front. Do what you can to make your home in Lincoln seem inviting and presentable from the moment someone pulls in the driveway.

4.       Play Up the Dream. People love to imagine themselves entertaining all of their friends in a home. Play up the social aspects of your home. Have a great backyard? Make sure it’s fit for a party when any potential buyer comes through. Update any worn out outdoor furniture. Light a fire pit. Add subtle outdoor décor. Make them see themselves on a chilly fall evening around the fire with friends.

5.       Freshen Up After Fido. Pet odors can be one of the most off-putting things when potential buyers visit a home for sale. Many pet owners become accustomed to the smell of their beloved pets and don’t even realize the possible home hazard. If you have a furry friend, ask someone who doesn’t live in or frequently visit your home to come and offer a smell evaluation. If needed, freshen up the house and get rid of any pet odors before potential buyers arrive.

But, what if you’ve already started the moving process and most of your stuff is gone? A company like Showhomes can make your former house feel like a home with ease. By providing the best in home staging in Lincoln, Showhomes allows you to enjoy your new dream home without worrying about how to properly show and sell your old one.

Whether you’re taking on the task of home staging in Lincoln yourself, or handing the job over to a company like Showhomes, you’re making the right decision. A perfectly staged home can bring the right buyer and the right seller together every time. 

Planning Your Outdoor Furniture in Lincoln

With the temperature dropping, it might not seem like an ideal time to start thinking about outdoor furniture in Lincoln. But, if you get a head start on spring planning, your outdoor space will be the place everyone wants to spend those precious summer nights next year.

Teak on Trend

Selecting outdoor furniture made of teak wood is not only on trend, but a smart buy. Teak is a tropical hardwood famous for its durability and water resistance, which makes it a perfect choice for outdoor furniture in Lincoln. You should still take measures to protect your pieces during brutal winters, but it’s a solid investment on a set that will be with you for years to come. Due to its durability and popularity, teak can often be on the higher end of the budget, but several manufacturers make various options. Pottery Barn offers some sets on the higher end, while Wayfair has options to fit more budgets.

Gather ‘Round the Fire

A must-have to accompany your outdoor furniture in Lincoln is a fire pit, especially to get every last night out of those chilly fall months. The options for fire pits truly depend on the space you have to use them. Standard metal, self-contained fire pits are economical and perfect for spaces where you have open yard or concrete. They come in all different styles and sizes and are great for limited budgets. If you have a little bit of money to throw down, consider an upgraded fire pit like a gas-powered fire bowl. These options are typically made from stone or stone-like material and are appropriate for most decks. An even more on trend option for an outdoor fire source is the fire table. Depending on your budget, you can customize your fire table to fit the theme of your outdoor furniture in Lincoln.

Recycle, Reuse

Since you’re already starting to think about your outdoor furniture in Lincoln for 2017, you have time to create your own one-of-a-kind pieces! There are several ways to make beautiful items for your outdoor space – all you need is just a little bit of time and the desire to DIY. Maybe you want to leave the actual furniture construction to the professionals, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get crafty with some accessories. You can always use more cold storage for beverages during your outdoor festivities. Try your hand at a standing cooler made from pallet wood. Another functional and fashionable option using pallet wood is a combination bench and planter. The options are only as limited as your imagination when it comes to DIY outdoor furniture in Lincoln! Check out these additional unique DIY ideas.

Moving On

Maybe you’re already thinking about your outdoor furniture because you’re planning on selling your house in the coming year. Having an attractive outdoor space is a huge draw for potential buyers. If your current outdoor furniture has seen better days and your landscaping is in crisis, don’t worry. Home staging in Lincoln could offer the perfect solution to your outdoor problem. Home staging companies can spruce up indoor and outdoor spaces for those ready to sell but not ready to put in a ton of work to get their properties buyer-ready. Making sure your home, including its outdoor entertaining area, is in sellable condition is key. Contact Showhomes for more information on home staging in Lincoln and beyond!

Three Unique Bedroom Themes in Lincoln

Who says a bedroom must be boring? Finding ways to highlight your personality by using unique bedroom themes in Lincoln can be as easy as a trip to your local shopping center. Your bedroom is your sanctuary and it should reflect your interests and lifestyle. Are you in love with bygone eras? Do your proclivities tend toward the dramatic? Anything is possible when it comes to decorating and making your space your own! Here are some interesting themes for your next bedroom redo.

Victorian Vibes

Harken back to a more ornate time by choosing a Victorian bedroom theme in Lincoln. Choose classic prints like damask and florals for wallpaper, rugs, and bed dressings. If you have the money to spend, invest in quality furnishings. Nothing screams Victorian era like an ornate, four-post bed made from solid wood. Dressers and nightstands should match the wood, stain, and decoration of the bed, as well. If you have the space, find a gorgeous upholstered chair in a fabric that matches the rest of your bedroom accoutrements to finish off the look.

Bold and Bright

Your friends consider you to be the life of the party. Incorporate that style into your bedroom theme in Lincoln. Choose a palette of bright and bold colors that are complimentary and cohesive. Once you’ve selected your color palette, head to the nearest home improvement store to find the perfect paint. You don’t have to paint every wall in the room. When working with bright colors, it’s easy to go overboard. You want to highlight your spunky personality, but keep it mature. If you’re going bright on all your walls, keep your duvet and curtains simple with patterned white. If you’re only going bold with one wall, feel free to play around with other accessories throughout the room. Considering searching local garage sales for side table set that you can refinish into a bright and beautiful set for your bedroom.

Traveler’s Taste

If you have more full passports than you can count, why not let your home base reflect your worldly ways? Incorporating travel elements into your bedroom theme in Lincoln is easy. There’s no doubt you’ve been collecting mementos from your adventures. Take the small items that you can’t seem to find a space for and use them in shadow box displays to decorate the walls of your traveler’s retreat. If you and your honey are a traveling team, mark your journey with a customized map. Keep the color of your walls simple but get worldly with curtains and linens.

Looking to Sell

Unique bedroom themes can be fun, but what if you’re trying to sell your home? Realtors suggest keeping things simple for future buyers. No buyer wants to come into a bedroom with shag carpeting and gold foil wallpaper despite your burning desire to relive the ‘70s. Not to worry, you’re free to be individual and can still sell your home quickly. Companies that offer home staging in Lincoln can turn your unique spaces into buyer-friendly rooms. With a more neutral vibe, potential buyers can see their own identities in the new space. Buyers love being able to see their unique pieces and sense of style in any home their looking to purchase. Home staging in Lincoln does just that – provides a more blank slate so creativity can flow!

Whether you’re a world traveler, bold and beautiful friend, or living outside your era – there is a bedroom theme in Lincoln to fit your taste. The fun part is narrowing down your preferences and executing a wonderful design!

Three Quick Tips for Bathroom Makeovers in Lincoln, NE

The bathroom is one of the easiest rooms in your house to update. Just a few quick changes can offer beautiful bathroom makeovers in Lincoln, NE, at as little or as much cost as you like. By purchasing a few new items, or creating a unique masterpiece from a DIY tutorial, your bathroom can take on a whole new vibe in just one weekend. As bathrooms are typically smaller than other areas of the home, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to give them a fresh look.

1. New stuff, new look. The easiest way to start bathroom makeovers is to buy new accessories. You can change the entire color scheme of your bathroom just by switching out rugs, shower curtains, and sink accouterments. If your bathroom has neutral fixtures and furnishings, select a bright or bold theme for your accompanying accessories. If you have an entire day to devote to your project, slap a new coat of paint on the walls. But remember, if you’re working in a small space, keep it light and airy. Dark colors make small areas seem even smaller.

2. Organize it! Bathrooms can get cluttered with all the different devices and products we find ourselves using every day. Implementing a new organization style during bathroom updating can give the space an entirely new feel. Check out DIY sites for fun and functional tips on storage. If you don’t have a lot of floor space, consider moving your organization to the wall. Put up some shelves, a storage cubby, or even some stylish hooks to hang all of your hair tools and towels.

3. Cast a different light. If you have a whole weekend and a little bit of know-how, switching out lighting fixtures during bathroom makeovers in Lincoln, NE, is a great way to update your space. There are endless ways to give your bathroom a new look with the various fixtures available at home improvement stores and online. But, if nothing suits your fancy or you’re feeling brave, try creating your own fixture! No matter what your style, there’s a DIY for you. From country, to beachy, to industrial chic, you’re bound to find a fixture that matches your bathroom updating vision.

Performing some simple bathroom updating can add value to a home, especially if you’re looking to sell. If you’re in a position to sell and just don’t have the budget or time to perform bathroom makeovers, an alternative to spruce up the space is bathroom staging in Lincoln, NE. Bathrooms already have built-in fixtures and furnishings, but a bare bathroom looks cold and uninviting. By using bathroom staging, you can give an already sterile environment a warm feel when prospective buyers come through. Bathroom staging in Lincoln, NE, can allow people to get a sense of the real possibilities of any space. They’ll be able to imagine taking a relaxing bath or luxurious shower in a beautifully updated and staged bathroom complete with rolled towels and fresh robes. Taking just a little bit of time to freshen up your home can go a long way during the selling process.

No matter how you decide to go about updating your bathroom, the most important thing to keep in mind is having fun! Play around with different styles, textures, and patterns. You never know what you might end up with. 

Couple overcomes hearing barrier in building business

 As owners of a Showhomes home staging franchise, Elisa and Brandon Macomber of Santa Fe make a living off their eyes.

Their business depends on their ability to redecorate private residences to make them more appealing to potential buyers. Their revenue has grown each year since they started the franchise in 2016, according to Brandon, and they now employ two individuals in addition to themselves. At a recent Showhomes conference, the couple won several awards including "Fastest Average Sale Time."

But it is her hearing, not her vision, that Elisa said has colored much of her professional journey. A bout of meningitis as a baby left her with profound hearing loss. Brandon, too, is hearing-impaired, the result of a premature birth and an episode of pneumonia.

"Not being able to talk on the phone has been a huge hindrance in my career, and that drove me to start my own business," said Elisa in an email (the Macombers provided written responses to questions). "I knew I could help people in so many ways via text and email, and in person, of course."

Now Elisa, who can lip-read, takes Brandon or another employee with her to meet clients to ensure she doesn't miss out on conversations while taking pictures and walking around the home.

"It can be a challenge, because I need to be able to look at the people while they're talking, but at the same time, I need to look at the house and take everything in visually," said Elisa, who handles most of the staging while Brandon handles the business side.

Brandon said their answering service has been invaluable for collecting names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of the people they interact with.

Asked about their top home-staging tips, Brandon said it's important to "remove yourself and your personal preferences from the process, and neutralize the property."

"By putting yourself on the market, you are trying to sell the house, not your style or your things," said Brandon. "Buyers need to envision themselves living there."

Elisa suggested removing all pictures and sentimentals from the home before it is photographed in order to protect the privacy of the homeowner.

"With (real estate listing) pictures being online all the time now, you want to protect your privacy," she said.

The couple said their work is filled with surprises. Elisa said she once found a black widow spider hiding beneath a client's rug. Brandon mentioned an even stranger experience.

"We found one of our faux apples with a bite mark in it," said Brandon. "That was pretty funny."

Hendersonville Times-News: Cindi Stringer Finds Success with Home Staging Business in Hendersonville

As a nurse for 30 years, Cindi Stringer's joy of helping others has always been evident. Once retiring from her nursing career, Cindi still wanted a way to make a difference in the lives of others while being able to showcase her love for art and decorating.

After much research, Cindi discovered the home-staging franchise, Showhomes. Founded in 1986, the Showhomes franchise system has helped realtors and homeowners sell more than 25,000 residential properties worth more than $8.5 billion, by transforming high-end vacant houses into fully-furnished, inviting valued Showhomes homes.

"What really sold me is when I went to Nashville to visit with the corporate team eight years ago," Stringer said in a news release. "They shared very similar values that I was looking for in a business, had great integrity and showed that they support the franchisees."

Stringer's Showhomes franchise in Western Carolina University has been in business for eight years and covers communities such as Hendersonville, Asheville, Waynesville and Black Mountain. Despite being in one of the smaller markets in the Showhomes franchise system, Stringer has seen tremendous success in the area.

"I think what helps us is that we operate in these small communities and it allows word of mouth to spread much quicker," Stringer said. "After all, we are in the relationship business and thrive off creating successful relationships."

Stringer won Showhomes' Franchise of the Year Award in 2017 which is the top honor a franchisee can receive reflecting their consistent business and overall operations excellence in the region they service. In addition, Cindi has also won the circle of excellence award eight years in-a-row highlighting her superior customer service and customer's satisfaction.

"Awards like these are always an honor to receive," Stringer said. "I know how dedicated and driven all the franchisees are at Showhomes and I am lucky to call them colleagues and friends. At the end of the day, this award reflects how great the Western Carolina community is and I am so grateful to be part of this community."

Moving into the fall home staging season, Stringer noted many trends that she has observed from season to season but says the fall is her favorite season with warm colors and tones displayed throughout homes.

"Grey has been the color of the decade but we see that moving towards beige," Stringer said. "Warmer tones are key and less is always better for staging. By having less scattered throughout the home, it gives space for the owner to see their house and what they envision it becoming."

Along with mixing metals such as silver and gold, creating more spa-like master bathrooms is also becoming more popular as consumers are becoming intrigued with minimalist style.

"There are seven seconds from the moment the buyer walks in the house to when the buyer falls in love with the house," Stringer said. "You have to speak to the buyer's emotions because being in the real estate industry is an emotional process for buyers and sellers."

Looking ahead, Stringer is on the way to capping off a strong 2018 and is ready for all of 2019's challenges. "We have proved ourselves one house at a time and our customers have been thrilled with the work we have done," she said.

How Elisa and Brandon Macombers Became Model Showhomes Franchisees

Three years ago, Brandon Macomber was feeling burnt out. After years in the banking industry, he was sick of the traveling his job required, and he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Elisa. At the same time, Elisa also found herself ready for a change. The career visual-merchandiser had started her own home-staging business, and she felt had reached the limit of how far she could grow on her own. So the couple began looking for new business options. That's when they discovered the home-staging franchiseShowhomes.

Between Brandon's business acumen and Elisa's passion for home staging, it didn't take long for the Macombers to decide that Showhomes was what they were searching for. "We knew when we found Showhomes that it was the perfect fit for both of us," Elisa said.

The Macomber's Showhomes franchise in Santa Fe, New Mexico has been in business for a little more than two years now, and Elisa says both she and Brandon have found a lot to love in the operation.

"We get to work with so many great people, and it's rewarding for us to help homeowners beautify their homes and sell them faster," she said. "There's a real pride in seeing our work pay off."

Elisa says the Showhomes franchise system has been the crucial piece of the puzzle in her efforts to grow her home-staging business. "It's like a garden, if you put your time, effort and heart into it, it will grow."

"There are so many benefits of being a franchise owner," she said. "We have a strong support network, both from the corporate team and other franchisees, who have all sorts of backgrounds and experiences that we can draw from. It's also great to have our work recognized by the system."

That's not to say the business hasn't come without any challenges. Elisa and Brandon are both  hearing impaired, and they've had to adjust Showhome's operational model slightly to effectively communicate with customers.

"It can be a challenge with the phone sometimes," said Elisa, who suffered a profound bilateral hearing loss at 15 months old and now wears a cochlear implant and processor. "We make it work with texting, email and the answering service that Showhomes provides for franchisees."

The Macombers also employ two part-time team members who help run the day-to-day operations. For in-home appointments, Elisa says she and Brandon use each other to fill in anything they might miss in conversation.

"We both read lips, but it can be difficult keeping up with a conversation that involves more than two people," she said. "Now and then, one of us will miss something and look at the other for help, and that always makes us laugh. We also have to remind people to look at us while talking, which can be difficult when you are walking through a house while trying to look at the house's features and layout."

Those challenges have not stopped Elisa and Brandon from effectively growing their business, and according to Showhomes COO Matt Kelton, the pair represents everything the brand is looking for in franchisees.

"Elisa and Brandon are truly model franchisees in just about every way," he said. "They are positive, they work extremely hard, they have a wonderful creative flair for design, and they support other franchisees. They also know exactly how to follow the Showhomes system and are great about suggesting ways for us to improve the model. Honestly, I wish we had 30 more of them."

As the Macombers look toward their third year with Showhomes, Elisa says they are still focused on growth.

"We are in the process of acquiring a box truck with a wrap of our logo to increase brand awareness, and we're always looking to take on more clients," she said. "Showhomes has given us some amazing tools to work with, and we're excited to make the most of them and keep growing our business.