Staging New Hampshire

You Too Can Become Addicted To These Beautiful Deer

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:11:39 -0800

A friend recently told me about a Youtube page Brownville's Food Pantry For Deer in Brownville, Maine. My husband and I checked it out and now we are addicted!It is a seventeen year old family-run nonprofit that provides food for up to 250 wild white-tailed deer, helping them survive harsh winters and reducing the mortality rate.Every day, from December through April, Richard and Randy McMahon provide a thousand pounds of oats, apples and acorns. Deer, turkeys and birds gather to eat and the whole thing is live on Youtube for our viewing pleasure.There are five different live camera views.My favorite is the "close-up" Trough View (featured image).There is also a live chat...people have named many of the deer and the chats are fun to read. If you go to the feeds and don't see any deer (it is most populated early morning and early evening) you can scroll back through the feed to see what you missed. Our grandson, Stanley, is a fan. He was mesmerized. Check it out here:Brownville's Food Pantry For Deer

Sharon TaraRETIREDHome Staging Professional Portsmouth, Dover, Durham,Barrington and Rochester areas. Creative & unique solutions...one room at a time About Me My Blog What Is Home Staging? Home Staging FAQ

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Fork It Over: Chicken Mayonnaise A La Zack

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:18:36 -0700

Chicken Mayonnaise A La ZackA family favorite that is very easy to put together and always a hit at every gathering. When my grandson Zack was little his mom (my daughter, Jaime) would grind cooked chicken in a food processor because Zack did not like "chunks". She added mayonnaise to it so it wouldn't be too dry. Zack called it Chicken Mayonnaise.One day when I needed something for a family party, and had limited ingredients to work with and very little time to prepare, I remembered Jaime's "chicken spread". I simply adapted it for all ages to enjoy.It was a hit! Very tasty....visually appealing....fast and easy to make! Start with leftover baked, boiled or grilled chicken. Process in a grinder or food processor until very fine.Add mayo. You can cut cherry tomatoes in half, scoop them out, and fill with chicken mayonnaise.You can spread chicken mayonnaise on cucumber slices or celery sticks. Place it in little pita pockets or finger sandwich rolls.My favorite way to serve it is on crackers and garnish them with whatever is on hand. If you are going to travel with this appetizer, I suggest putting the chicken spread in a zip-lock bag. Once you arrive, arrange crackers on platter, cut a corner off the bag and squeeze chicken onto the crackers. Bring all your sliced veggies in bags and there are no containers to bring home.Pretty much any veggie works as garnish. Grapes are really good too! Be creative and have fun with it. Enjoy!! Fork It Over: June ActiveRain Recipe Challenge

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Have You Considered Shooting Your Shadow?

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 14:32:18 -0700

Today I read a post written by Kathy Streib celebrating photography and learned that today is World Photography Day.I have enjoyed the hobby of photography for as long as I can remember.I took a photography course in college (back in the olden days of the 70's) but I've never been professionally trained and I don't know anything about most of the settings on my camera. I am a creative person, however, and I have a pretty good eye for placement and arrangement when taking photos. One of my fun photo techniques is shooting shadows. Rick and I riding our Harley Me in between my daughter and my mom Rick and I taking a walk Rick and I with two of our grandchildren The beach is always a great place to shoot shadowsSometimes...beauty can be found somewhere between a picture and a shadow. Father of the bride and shoveling the snow. " The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say. "Gregory Maguire Shout out to Brian England who in the comment section of his post inspired me to write this post and share my photos.

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Wordless Wednesday - Papa's Ring

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 05:21:27 -0700

Wordless Wednesday - Papa's RingIf you look closely at each picture, you will see Papa's ring.When my husband was a baby his mother had this gold ring custom made. I was lucky enough to be given the ring when my first child was born.Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of my three children wearing it. I have made sure to get photos of each grandchild wearing it.Stanley just became the sixth heir to wear the Tara family jewel. Previous Wordless Wednesday Posts

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First Time Home Buyers With Parents In Tow

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 06:33:57 -0700

My first home purchase was a very long time ago...1979.It shouldn't be too surprising to you that I really have very little memory of the experience.My fondest memory of the purchase was sharing a pizza, sitting on the floor, the first night after we closed.I was only 21, my husband 24. We were expecting our first child.As for the process of finding our first home...we had no idea what we were doing. We started our search without the assistance of an agent.I do remember my parents accompanying us as we house hunted. They were horrified at the "dumps " we were excitedly bringing them to. They were even more horrified at the prices. We were looking at older "fixer upper" homes in the $20,000 - $25,000 price range. My parents had paid $15,000 for their brand new construction (my childhood house) sixteen years prior.Each home we looked at was worse than the one before it. My poor parents. It wasn't until many years later, when we were in their shoes house hunting with our son and his wife, that we knew exactly how my parents felt. It can be so painful balancing being supportive and wanting the best for them.Luckily for us, and my folks, our first home hunt was short. At my parents insistence, we contacted an agent and learned that we qualified for HUD assistance on new construction.Our new house cost $40,000 and with the government assistance our payments were only $300 a month.A brand new home. Exciting, but frustrating for a young couple with no prior home building experience. The lot we chose was switched by the builder for one reason or another several times, eventually we were even moved to a different street. (Over the years this turned out to be a huge blessing. The original street ended up aging poorly and not being as desirable a location.)During construction there was an accident on the property. The builder was sued. Unfortunately, as owners we were named in the lawsuit too. It was stressful until it was all resolved and we only had to pay $1 as judgment because we were indemnified through our contract with the builder.We lived in that home on Partridge Lane for 25 years.Our second home was also new construction, however, of much higher quality construction. After ten years we moved again and then one more time six years after that to the home we are currently living in.Each of our homes were perfect for us at the time and each hold very special memories for us. I know tag-along parents can be overwhelming sometimes for real estate agents, on both sides of the deal. I know that they can be very frustrating especially for the young house hunters. I've lived long enough to be in both positions...1. The young, inexperienced, wide eyed and easily impressed house hunterand2. The older, experienced, eagle eyed, cautious house hunterIt is my experience in both cases that having the older generation along for this very exciting experience in life can be highly beneficial. Written for: Tell Us About Your First Home Buying ExperienceApril Challenge Hosted by Kathy Streib and Carol Williams

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Making The Best Of It - A Favorite Fall Family Memory

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 07:58:42 -0700

Most people have such busy lives that it's sometimes difficult to find time for family. My extended family used to get together for birthdays, holidays and cookouts, but it just isn't happening any more.Many years ago I put together a family trip to a local corn maze. It was a wonderful way to spend a Fall afternoon. After the maze, we returned to my house for soup and apple crisp and then we visited a local haunted house. We had such a great time that we made it a yearly family "tradition." Then, in 2009, we all met at the farm and boarded the hay wagon. As we approached the corn maze my uncle mentioned that the corn didn't seem very tall. I just figured it was an optical illusion assuming that as we got closer the corn would get taller.We couldn't believe it when we arrived and the corn was not even shoulder high. It was the most pathetic corn...a poor crop, due to the very wet summer we had. As we wandered around, actually looking over the top of the corn, we joked about "getting lost" and "finding our way out" and we even whined a little about getting our money back. It was very disappointing. I'm proud to say that we made the best of it. We had a lot of laughs andin some areas of the maze (not many) the corn was actually taller than we were. Laughing about it afterward, trying to justify the money spent, we decided the day was not a total loss: the weather had turned out very nice we got a fun hayride out of it most important of all...we had spent quality time together So what if the corn maze sucked! The important thing is we carried on our tradition! It was then that we decided our new family motto: Here is a video from 2007 - when the corn was actually CORN:

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A Healthier Fried Haddock Option

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 09:21:15 -0800

Many years ago, in an attempt to eat healthier, my mother created a recipe to replace her favorite fried haddock. Her delicious haddock recipe was passed on to me and then to my daughters.It is one of our family favorites, very easy to make, and much healthier for those looking to cut fried foods from their diet. HADDOCK A LA RICE KRISPIES1 lb Fresh Haddock1 C Rice Krispies1 egg white3 Tbsp Butter (melted) or Olive Oil I use organic crispy rice cerealmade by Erewhon.It is available at health food stores and manyof the chain grocery stores also have it.Any rice crispy cereal will work. Start by placing rice cereal in a zip lock bag and crushing with rolling pin or meat tenderizer. You don't have to pulverize it, just break it up enough that some of the cereal is crushed and some is still whole. Prepare broiler pan by covering with foil and spraying foil with non stick spray.Preheat oven to 375.Place egg white in bowl and beat together with 1 Tbsp. water. Dip haddock in egg white and then place into bag of cereal. Think Shake 'N Bake. Toss fish around in bag until coated. Place fish on pan. Pour remaining cereal on top of fish.Salt and Pepper to taste.Drizzle melted butter or olive oil over top. Bake at 375 degrees 10 - 12 minutes, until fish is white and flakey. A Simpler, Much Faster MethodPlace raw fish on a foil lined cookie sheet or broiler pan.Pour some uncrushed Rice Krispies right from the box over the fish, until the fish is completely covered.Drizzle melted butter or olive oil over the cereal and bake.

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Choose Action Over Avoidance

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 07:49:39 -0800

Do you ever find yourself avoiding tasks? Whether it is fear, anxiety, and/or dread keeping us from getting the job done, we are all guilty of procrastination. I learned a long time ago that ACTION is far more beneficial and rewarding than AVOIDANCE.My first ActiveRain post was on this subject. Michael Jacobs recently commented on that post and brought it to my attention when he commented on it. Thank you, Michael for that!I think it is worth sharing again... January 6, 2008Is Anxiety Stealing Your Valuable Time?This is my first attempt at blogging. I have no background in writing and the process is very intimidating to me. I have been procrastinating at getting started. As a professional stager and lifelong "do it when it needs to get done" person, it is unlike me to put off completion of a task. My attitude and advice to others has always been that the best way to relieve stress over doing something is just to go ahead and do it.Performing the act we dread is no where near as painful as the anticipation of performing the act. So, it is with the realization that I should take my own advice that I take on this writing experience.I had a client who needed assistance bringing her home in order. She didn't know where to begin. Since most of her day is spent working from a home office, I decided to start there. The room is small and was extremely cluttered. She hated the lack of organization, but she was overwhelmed at the idea of attempting to organize this room. I suggested we take one step at a time and that we start with her filing cabinet. She was convinced that everything in the cabinet was important, but reluctantly agreed to see if she could purge anything. She was very surprised at just how much she was storing there that she no longer needed.As the trash bags filled, she got more and more excited. After reclaiming seventy-five percent of the cabinet space, she became motivated and inspired to tackle the closet. Using the newly found storage space, we were able to organize and declutter the room. Next, we removed all the pictures and miscellaneous items she had tacked and taped to the walls and replaced them with inspirational art work. We rearranged the furniture and replaced the dead plants with fresh flowers. The room was transformed from a crowded, cluttered and depressing space to one of organization and tranquility. Days later she called to let me know how much her life had improved. The sense of accomplishment and pride she felt from improving that room motivated her to take on other rooms that she had neglected. She only wished she had acted sooner and hadn't allowed anxiety to steal so much of her valuable time.We all have unpleasant or daunting things on our to-do list that we avoid. Unfortunately, avoidance gives them power over us. Every time we pass by the cluttered room, or the stack of paperwork or the incomplete home improvement project we feel anxious. Next time you find yourself worrying or complaining over something you don't want to do or worse yet, fear to do....consider action as the solution.

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July ActiveRain Challenge - Mae's Macaroni Salad

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 05:54:12 -0700

It just wouldn't be a family party without Mae's Macaroni Salad.My mother-in-law's famous (in our family anyways) macaroni salad was, and still is, present at every party. Birthdays and holidays...if Mae was in attendance, so was her pasta. Mae has been gone twenty years now, but her salad lives on. I've continued the family tradition, serving this dish at every cookout and family gathering. Mae's Macaroni Salad 16 ounces elbow macaroni1 chopped onion3 chopped celery stalks1 carrot3 hard boiled eggs1/3 cup of sweet relish 1/4 cup of white vinegar 6-7 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise Boil the pasta until tender. Drain in strainer and set aside to cool.Chop the onion and celery and add to a large bowl. Mae was a stickler on chopping as fine as possible. Mince is probably a better choice of words.Peel and then grate carrot and add to the bowl. Again...finely grated. Peel and chop the eggs. Mash them with a fork. Just like the veggies, the egg should be mashed into dust. Add eggs to bowl.Add the relish.Add the pasta to bowl and sprinkle the white vinegar over the entire salad.Add the mayonnaise and mix it all together.Salt and pepper to taste. Place the salad in a serving bowl and lightly sprinkle the top with paprika for color.Add a slice or two of red or green pepper on top as a decorative touch. I substituted Gluten Free pasta, Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta, this time and it worked out great.Yes, that is Mae's original crystal dish that she always used.I think she would be very happy knowing her recipe is being carried on and that a whole new generation is enjoying it!I hope this recipe continues to be passed down through the generations long after I'm gone too. Written for: July ActiveRain Challenge Savory Stories More of my favorite recipes

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Wrapping It Up - The Old Box In A Box In A Box Trick

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 08:23:56 -0800

Christmas is now behind us, but that doesn't mean the gift giving ends. Gifts are wrapped and given all year long. Here is a way to add some fun to your gift giving.This gift wrapping idea comes from my favorite memory of Christmas last year...You remember last Christmas? You, know... normal Christmas, when we still gathered together as a family. Two of our grandsons, Zack and Jack, were each getting a sled from us as one of their gifts.The sleds were large and I didn't really want to wrap two of them. Plus...once one was opened the other child would instantly know that he got the same thing. I came up with a plan to make the opening of these sleds more interesting and a whole lot more fun! I put both sleds into one box, wrapped it, and placed a tag on it. But the tag had no name on it. When we arrived at our daughter's house on Christmas Eve with all our gifts, the kids were all immediately drawn to the largest gift. They were all very confused by the tag and wanted to know WHOSE gift it was. I told them they would just have to wait and see. After the kids opened all their gifts, I told Zack that we had one more gift for him. He was very excited...until he opened it and found another wrapped gift inside tagged for Jack.Jack was extremely excited... until he opened it and found yet another gift inside tagged for Zack. The gifts alternated between Zack and Jack until the very last tiny box....it was tagged for both of them. Inside the last tiny box they found a tag matching the one on the big mystery gift...quickly realizing that the big mystery gift was theirs.They were so excited...and even more so when they opened it together and found their sleds inside. Written for: Holiday Fun and Cheer December Challenge, hosted by Carol Williams and Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker. Inspired by: That Special Blue Gift Box written by Michael Jacobs

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Feeling Crafty? You Can Make This Christmas Tree In About An Hour

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 08:49:39 -0800

I found this Christmas decoration craft idea online and decided to give it a try.It was simple to make and the supplies needed are things you probably have in your home, or are very easy to find if you don't have them.Frame 8x101 Sheet White Card StockPaperback Book 300-400 pages, approx. 7" tallRibbon or Twine to decorate tree (optional) It only took me about an hour to make, and I LOVE the results.Here is a link to the directions: HOW TO MAKE A FOLDED BOOK CHRISTMAS TREEYou can ALSO use all the pages of a book to make a 360 degree stand-alone tree.You could create a mini forest of several stand-alone trees by using different size books! Written for: Holiday Fun and Cheer December Challenge, hosted by Carol Williams and Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker.

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Who Are Some Of The FOOLS Of Real Estate?

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 05:55:46 -0700

"Everybody plays the fool sometime..." Aaron NevilleMaybe it was your love life and your heart got the better of you. Maybe it was too much alcohol at your office Christmas party.Maybe it was your attempt at being "one of the cool kids".If you're human you've been the fool...probably more than once.What about real estate?Who are some of the fools of real estate? "Wise men profit more by fools than fools by wise men."Marcus Porcius Cato It is a wise buyer who looks past the listing's poor presentation, understanding that there is potential and value and, more importantly, a deal to be had...at the sellers' expense. "The wise does at once what the fool does at last."Baltasar Gracian Too many sellers learn the hard way that they should have priced lower or they should have made improvements to their home and property PRIOR to listing. They learn too late: they should have listened to their agent.They learn too late: they should have followed the stager's advice. "A fool and his money are soon parted."Thomas Tusser Time on the market costs money. NOT investing in improvements prior to listing costs money. Those who try the hardest to save money will usually end up spending more in the long run. "The fool wonders, the wise man asks."Benjamin Disraeli There are no stupid questions....especially when it comes to real estate.If you have questions...ask your agent, ask your home stager, ask the home inspector, ask the lender! Ask. Listen. Act accordingly. " Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed."Mark Twain Think about it...those bad agents with the terrible reputations and those listings with no preparation or presentation prior to listingand all those horrible mls photos...they all make your listings look even better!

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The Best Defense Against Anxiety Is Action

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 05:49:20 -0700

As most of us find ourselves COVID-19 self quarantined and/or isolated in one way or another, I thought it a good time to discuss anxiety.With the current state of the world more people are finding themselves experiencing some level of anxiety.Personally, I've been anxious my entire life. I have quite a bit of experience with it, and as for controlling it....I'm better at giving advice to others than I am at calming myself. That said, I'm doing much better than expected through all of this.The unknown and the feeling of a lack of control are huge anxiety triggers.We are getting misinformation, and mixed messages daily...hourly if you spend any time online.Yes it's very hard to process it all, and it's easy to get all worked up. It's very easy to point fingers and cast blame. Guilty as charged. BUT...there IS valuable, very important COVID-19 information available...information that can save lives. *Wash your hands often*Don't touch your face*Disinfect surfaces (don't forget your phone)*Stay 6' away from people*No group gatherings (My biggest group right now is 2)*Don't take Advil (Ibuprofen) if you do have any symptoms*Drink lots and lots of water. Staying hydrated helps your lungs fight the virus. These things seem too simple to be a solution. We want...NEED...to know how to fix this. Unfortunately, there is no quick solution. The best minds working on this don't have the answers we want. All we can do at this time is follow the advice in hopes of slowing down the spread.Protect yourself and others, and reduce the length of this crisis, by following the advice of our scientists and doctors. As for the anxiety.... The best defense against anxiety is ACTION.Restore your self confidence and feel more in control by DOING. Staying busy is crucial to reducing anxiety and stress. Housecleaning may not sound like much fun, but staying busy is not only an amazing distraction, it creates a sense of accomplishment which is very empowering.Organize closets, drawers, bookshelves, medicine cabinets.Clean inside the refrigerator, oven, microwave.Tackle the garage, attic, or basement that you have been meaning to tackle for years.Create something...paint, sew, build something to keep your hands and mind busy.Organize your desk, your files, old photos. One of my first clients was a woman who wanted help organizing her home office. The room was small and extremely cluttered. The idea of attempting to organize this room was overwhelming.We started with the filing cabinet. Convinced everything was too important to discard, she reluctantly agreed to see if she could purge anything. She was surprised at how much she was storing that she no longer needed.As the trash bags filled, she got more and more excited. After reclaiming seventy-five percent of the cabinet space, she was motivated to tackle the closet. Next, we removed all pictures and miscellaneous items tacked and taped to the walls and replaced them with inspirational art work. We rearranged the furniture.The room was transformed from a crowded, cluttered and depressing space to one of organization and tranquility. Days later she called to let me know how much her life had improved. The sense of accomplishment and pride she felt from improving the office motivated her to tackle other rooms. She only wished she had acted sooner and hadn't allowed anxiety to steal so much of her valuable time. We all have unpleasant or daunting things on our to-do list. Tasks we avoid. Unfortunately, avoidance gives them power over us.Every time we pass by the cluttered room, or the stack of paperwork or the incomplete home improvement project we feel anxious. This extra time at home we are now experiencing can be put to good use. Not only can you get things done...you can distract yourself from feeling anxious...reassure yourself that you actually do still have some control. Doing something you dread is never as bad as the anticipation of doing something you dread. When you find yourself worrying, feeling anxious and no longer in control....consider action as the solution. ALSO:The Way You Breathe Could Be Causing Anxiety

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Sensory Appeal Is Just As Important As Curb Appeal

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 09:16:50 -0700

Preparing your home for sale? You are not alone. The spring market is upon us and many homeowners are hoping to find a buyer. To guarantee you make the best impression on buyers I suggest you keep in mind that "sensory" appeal is just as important as "curb" appeal. SightThe visual appearance of a home prompts potential buyers more than any other factor. Once homeowners step inside, they decide almost immediately whether or not they want to buy your home. It is essential that they be greeted with a spotless, ready-to-move-into home.Clean or freshly painted walls and spotlessly clean or new carpeting make the best impression. Hardwood floors must be in excellent condition. The best choice for floor tile is a light neutral, in good condition.Furniture should be arranged to define space and function and at the same time guide the eye towards positive features of the home and away from the negative. Light is the second most quoted reason for choosing a home.Make sure all lights work and, where necessary, replace light bulbs with a higher wattage. Replace dark or worn lampshades with new, sheer or white shades.Paint walls and dark woodwork in light, neutral paint.Replace heavy, dark window treatments with lighter sheer curtains. Clean all windows inside and out so that the sun can shine in. SCENT Nothing turns away potential buyers faster than unpleasant smells. Make buyers feel welcome and comfortable by greeting them with a pleasant aroma.A few drops of vanilla warmed in the oven yields the same result as baked cookies, triggering a comfort response. Remove litter boxes. Keep trash can clean at all times. Open windows before a showing when possible. TOUCH Texture, added throughout the house, is appealing to the eye and to the touch and will add an element of style which translates into perceived value.Help buyers feel comfortable and at home by keeping the temperature warm in the winter and cool in the summer. SOUNDCreaking floors, dripping faucets, and noisy heating systems could be a cause for concern to a buyer.Neighborhood noises such as traffic and barking dogs can be distracting. Playing soft jazz or classical music can help make the home feel more relaxing and help buyers to concentrate on the positive features of each room. A Buyer's perceived value of your home is based on the reaction of their senses.

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My Wish To Meet Her In Person Is No Longer Possible. Michelle Molinari

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 08:59:23 -0800

Choosing a Rainer to boast about for this month's challenge, hosted by Richie Alan Naggar , was very easy for me. I knew instantly who I was going to write about. What wasn't easy was how to do it. Most of you don't even know Michelle Molinari. She has not been active in ActiveRain since 2012. After she stopped blogging, I remained friends with Michelle via Facebook.Last month while sitting with two of my grandsons, waiting to Skype with my mom, I picked up my phone for a quick peek into Facebook. My heart broke when I read the shocking news: At some point on Monday January 13th 2020, Michelle unexpectedly passed away. She had organic heart disease and was coming down with a cold or flu. Coupled with diabetes, it was more stress than her heart could handle.She died in her sleep. I couldn't fully process the information with the boys sitting next to me visiting my Mom via the iPad. My heart was broken and I couldn't react until the next day when the boys went home. So...After reviewing many of Michelle's posts, writing and rewriting this post...I decided to share one of my own posts rather than try to pick just one of hers to share.My post, written in 2013, includes links to a few of Michelle's posts. What ActiveRain Friend Would I Like To Meet In Person? Michelle Molinari It is my hope that you will find the time to click the links and check out her blog. Michelle was an amazing Home Stager. She had a talent and skill unmatched in the field. " I don't tow the party-line that every house needs staging, but I do wholeheartedly believe that every house going to market needs to consult a stager! " Her knowledge of color was unbelievable. She once wrote in a blog post: "I am practically a "savant" when it comes to color. It gets lodged somewhere in my brain and there it sits, waiting to bust out and be useful to someone." Over the years I've turned to her whenever I needed help choosing paint colors. She always had the answer for me.When I asked her advice on painting a stone table last year, she actually took a 1 mile walk to a local cemetary to photograph some headstones for me...her way of illustrating the technique she suggested for my table. I've been witness on facebook, each step along the way, as Michelle made new dreams come true.In August of 2014 Michelle ended her home staging business and launched a new business based on her LOVE of The Walking Dead tv show.Zombie Charm School is a mobile boutique spa serving the zombie community, using cinema-quality special effects makeup. Michelle actually created her own very realistic "blood" from scratch.The business started out on the road, doing zombie make-overs, at zombie-centric events all over the USA....think horror face painting for Walking Dead fans. She went from transforming homes to transforming humans. Eventually, she ended up moving to Haralson, Georgia (where scenes from the show were shot) to work with Walkin' Dead Tours....living her dream of transforming fans into very realistic walkers. She got to meet many of the show's cast and crew. Her artistic talent won her a contest to attend a Walking Dead Cruise.Michelle didn't just dream...Michelle made her dreams come true. Michelle not only impressed me, she made a lasting impression. She inspired. She entertained. She loved and was loved by many.She was a very special lady.Today would have been her 51st birthday. Image by: Anita Ropele aka @smoking_reedus It's amazing how much loss and grief you can feel when you lose a friend you have never even met in person.My wish to someday meet her is no longer possible, but I am so grateful that I got to know her as I did via AR and fb. Randy, the love of Michelle's life, continues to post on Michelle's facebook wall....as her. It may sound macabre, but Michelle once said that when she dies she wants someone to keep up her fb page to freak people out. I have no doubt she is watching with a smile, getting a big kick out of Randy following her wishes.

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Selling Your Home: Preparation And Presentation For Positive Reactions

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:16:53 -0800

Today, as I was looking for an old post I had written, I found this one written five years ago. Seems far too appropriate not to share today since the Oscars were last night. After all the hype and anticipation, the Academy Awards are over. All that's left now is the fashion buzz.Who wins "Best Dressed" and who gets criticized for their poor choice in style."There's no such thing as bad publicity." Negative press regarding an actor's choice of formal wear isn't all that bad because it gets them talked about....it gets them the attention they crave and the attention they need to succeed in their business. "The only thing worse than being talked about, is not being talked about." Oscar Wilde However, the same is NOT true when it comes to selling a home. The last thing you want is potential buyers labeling your house "worst dressed". When you list your home for sale, you should consider every showing as a walk down the red carpet.Imagine thousands of people (wouldn't that be nice!) focused on every detail of your appearance....every last detail. You only have that one chance to impress them, before they turn their attention to the next one, and then the next one after that.Will you be the one they applaud and remember with high praise or will you be easily forgotten? Even worse....will you be the one they remember with their eyes rolling up as they make fun of you to others.Don't be the "what were they thinking?" listing. How you prepare and present your home for showings will determine whether you make a positive or negative impression!

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ROAD ID Is A Great Christmas Gift Idea

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 13:58:38 -0800

It's that GIFT GIVING time of year once again and you probably still have some last minute shopping to do, with no clue what to buy.I have a gift idea for the hiker, mountain climber, bicyclist...you know the outdoor enthusiast...on your list. It's called Road IDI ordered two of these as gifts four years ago and they were a big hit.My daughter is a runner and I wanted her to have ID on her when she ran alone at night or when she was hiking alone.These are not just for the outdoor people.I got one for my elderly dad who was walking alone every day. Dad no longer walks, but he does go out and about by himself quite often. He has been recently diagnosed with dementia so the identification is even more important now than it was when I purchased it years ago. Honestly, Dad wears his ROAD ID every day. I don't think he ever takes it off. It is comforting knowing that if anything happens to him, the contact info (for both Mom and me) is on Dad's wrist. You can choose between several styles and colors. There is more than enough room to list contact info, medical history info, and any allergies or conditions that medics would need to know.Prices are quite reasonable. The one I purchased starts at just $12. They have models for pets, for your Fitbit and Garmin and your Apple watches. They also make them for kids.You can get dog tags instead of the wrist band if you prefer. There is a sale currently...check it out at the Road ID Website.

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A Shout Out To My Friend Brian At Arizona Focus Realty

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 09:21:46 -0800

Arizona is a good distance from New Hampshire. I've yet to visit, but I feel as though I've been there thanks to my good friend, Brian England.Brian is a real estate professional in Gilbert, Arizona. His posts on ActiveRain paint a beautiful picture of an area that I look forward to someday visiting. His knowledge of the East Valley area, in particular, is impressive. Brian is not only a good real estate agent, he is a good person...honest and caring. This year Brian made some Arizona Focus Realty branded coffee mugs and wine glasses to gift to his clients.I was lucky enough to receive two of the glasses.I'm happy to add to Brian's Mugshot series by sharing a photo of me and my grandson, Zack, enjoying the glasses.Don't worry...Zack's glass contains sparkling cider...which he REALLY enjoyed!I've never been much of a drinker, but since receiving my glasses my wine consumption has increased. Thank you Brian! If you ever need real estate advice in East Valley, AZcall or text Brian England at Arizona Focus Realty. 480-773-2370

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A Message To Gun Violence Survivors From A Survivor

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:14:22 -0700

I just read an amazing article and I really think it needs to be shared to as many people as possible. The writer is my cousin, Nathan. Six years ago, while serving in Afghanistan, he was shot in an ambush. Three people were killed that day. Nathan was one of three wounded survivors. We don't often think of the hell, the psychological trauma, that the survivors of these shootings face.Yes, they are blessed and lucky to be alive, but their pain is much more than just physical.The horror of the continued mass shootings in this country put more and more people in Nathan's situation. I believe his article could be very helpful to them. What I Wish Someone Had Told Me After I Got ShotNathan JerauldTragedy struck our country again this month. Mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, claimed the lives of more than 30 people. While much attention will, and should, be placed on those who died, I write to address another group who may go overlooked in the coming weeks: the people wounded by these terrible events. I want to tell you what I wish I had known after I was shot. Continue reading at HuffPost Personal

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Home Staging Tip: Pull Back The Curtain - Don't Hide It, Fix It

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Tue, 07 May 2019 06:48:32 -0700

When preparing a home for sale it's important to remember that buyers tend to be suspicious...and for very good reason. Too often sellers try to hide the negative aspects of their house. I've actually heard real estate agents, who should know better, suggest hiding things...cover a damaged floor with a throw rug... place a large piece of furniture in front of a damaged wall.It is not only ethically wrong to try and hide things from buyers, it's not at all practical. If there is damage of any kind, and you try to hide it, it won't stay hidden for long. Honesty is the best policy. If you don't fix it, don't hide it.From a Home Staging standpoint...fixing it is by far the best choice. Worn floors or carpet, very old appliances, dirty, faded and/or damaged walls, broken or missing trim, dated plumbing or electrical fixtures....all examples of things that should be addressed PRIOR to listing.Buyers not only see these needed improvements as an expense, they see them as a huge inconvenience.A more important thing to consider: these items are a giant red flag to buyers that the house has been poorly maintained. If they believe the house has not been cared for, their perceived value of the house drops considerably. If any offers are made, cost of improvement will be a factor.Buyers' estimate of cost will always be two to three times the actual cost of improvement. Making all improvements PRIOR to listing results in a faster and more profitable sale. Since we are talking about hiding things...It is human nature to want to see behind the curtain.We are drawn to things we think are being intentionally hidden from us. As a home stager I've always suggested that my sellers should pull back the curtain. Shower curtain, that is.It has been my experience that most sellers, and real estate agents, pull the shower curtain closed. Sometimes it's because the tub and/or tile is not in the best condition, sometimes it's just habit. I tell my sellers to clean the tub and tile spotless, remove all grooming products and keep the shower curtain open...pulled to one side. Human nature...closed curtain triggers curiosity. Open curtain and buyers will concentrate on the room and not the tub.Also...closing the curtain will usually make the room feel smaller. It's like creating a wall where there shouldn't be one. Inspired by: Windows Speak Louder Than Words Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

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A Very Important Question To Ask Yourself Before Photographing Listings

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 08:18:56 -0700

So, I'm watching tv last night and get a text from a close friend. Never saw this one coming.Text included a photo. A local listing photo. An OMG local listing photo.My friend is a real estate agent and someone in her office found this photo on Zillow. The photo was quickly deleted, but not before it was saved. That is what happens on the internet. Remember, when you post something it is forever. You've seen listing photos with the agent caught in the mirror.Sure, we see those all the time. What I haven't seen before, in a listing photo, is a person in the mirror with nothing on from the waist down.Donald Duck and Winnie the Pooh style...nothing but a shirt. Female...in all her glory.I told you it was an OMG photo. The house is listed fsbo so I assume it is the owner in the picture.I mean, she didn't hire a real estate agent so she probably didn't hire a photographer either. Maybe you can save a lot of money if you hire a pantsless photographer???God, I hope not. Just how badly do you want to save money? I have to believe it is the seller, caught with her pants down. Literally. My friend said this is a good example of the importance of hiring a real estate agent.It is...but there are some pretty bad agents out there based on mls photos I see. How about this being a good example of the importance of hiring a professional photographer! For those of you who don't use a professional photographer...One very important question to ask yourselfBEFORE photographing your listings:

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The Age Old Question In Real Estate...Why Aren't We Getting Offers?

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 12:40:45 -0700

The age old question in real estate...." Why aren't we getting offers? "The answer usually involves price, condition and/or location. Many times the answer is obvious with obvious action required.If it's price, lower it.If it's condition, improve it, or lower the price accordingly.If it's location...you wait for the right buyer or you lower the price accordingly.All roads seem to lead to price reduction as the solution. I would like to suggest a premeditated solution...the preventative strike against price reductions is a Home Staging Consultation. Home stagers use presentation, visual and emotional appeal, to increase perceived value...preparing and presenting the product so it sells as fast and for as much as possible. It's a rare home that doesn't need some amount of improvement prior to listing.Without proper preparation how can you expect buyers to believe the house has been well maintained and worth the asking price? " Why aren't we getting offers? " Several years ago I did a staging consult for a seller, and shortly after her house sold, she hired me for advice on her new home.This past summer the same client and her husband hired me to help select paint colors and offer some advice on minor improvements they were considering.This week Mrs. Seller contacted me once again.They had decided to build a new home and three weeks ago put their house on the market. After two well-attended open houses and five showings they haven't received an offer.She asked me to view the listing in hopes of figuring out why no offers. I checked the listing and two small bedrooms had bold paint colors and crowded furniture. Other than that the pictures looked good to me.It's a beautiful home. It shows well online.They have received calls for showings, so price must be ok.There hasn't been any feedback indicating any issues.My thoughts: buyers are seeing something once they get inside.I offered to stop by for a quick walk through. I thought the house showed well, but looking more closely...There are cat doors installed in most of the interior doors. (Great for buyers with cats. Not so great if buyers don't have cats.)The hardwood floor in the foyer is worn and scratched and should be refinished.The carpet in several rooms and going up the stairs has stains.Many of the doors are in need of fresh paint.There is an obvious, poorly-done ceiling patch (previous water leak) in the bathroom. Certainly any one of these things alone wouldn't keep buyers from making an offer on a house they otherwise love. But, added all together, these things could represent extra work and money that buyers are not willing to invest.Even worse, buyers may be under the impression that the house has not been well maintained... and assuming that other areas, like electrical and plumbing, have also been neglected. As a professional, I wish they had consulted with me and made some improvements prior to listing. But who really knows...an offer could come this week without any changes being made.We will never know what difference my suggestions prior to listing could have made. One thing is certain though... Much like getting only one chance to make a great first impression,You only get one chance to create value in the eyes of buyers.

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Home Staging Consultations - Preparation Is An Investment Of Time

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 07:56:53 -0800

Home Staging isn't always fully embraced when suggested to sellers. I've had some uncomfortable home staging consultations with sellers who are only going through the motions because their agent suggested they meet with me.I'm happy to report that those "eye rolling" sellers are rare and most of the homeowners I've worked with have been more than willing to take my suggestions seriously.Sellers who are serious...willing to do whatever it takes to make their home shine in the eyes of buyers...those are my favorite! The best results come when sellers prepare in advance...give themselves plenty of time to make all necessary improvements.Time spent in preparation is time well spent...the more time invested prior to listing, the less stress for sellers. The above photo shows a dining room that was being used as an office. Without a home staging consult, most sellers would simply neaten up the room. Hopefully they would remove the boxes of stuff on the floor. Ideally, they would remove the upholstered chairs and replace the desk with a table and chairs to clearly define the space as a dining room. Most sellers wouldn't give a thought to the paint color.Most sellers wouldn't know that the dated window treatments are distracting, unappealing to buyers and hiding the gorgeous architectural features of the room. Most sellers don't understand the relationship between appearance and perceived value. This beautiful home's potential would have been missed if it were listed on the market without proper preparation. Does Home Staging Guarantee A House Will Sell Faster?A Home Stager's Job Requires Telling Sellers What They Need To HearYour Budget Should Never Be An Excuse For A Lack Of PreparationHouses Don't Kill Deals...Sellers Do. Prepare Your Home To SELLFirst Impressions Are Emotional, Involuntary and Uncontrollable

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Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island Is A Must See If Visiting Coastal Georgia

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 06:12:37 -0800

It was one of the most beautiful and unique places I've ever visited, and I look forward to going back again the next time I'm in Georgia.It's called Driftwood Beach and it's like no other beach I've been to.What makes Driftwood Beach so special? The driftwood of course! My husband and I took a four week roadtrip in November, from New Hampshire to Florida. It was our first long trip with our new travel trailer. One of the more memorable stops was Jekyll Island in Georgia. Jekyll Island is situated off the coast of Georgia in Glynn County. It is one of the Sea Islands and Golden Isles of Georgia Barrier Isles. It is close to Brunswick, Georgia.Jekyll Island is a state park, established in 1947. I wish we had more time to visit the other five beaches on Jekyll Island.Driftwood Beach was the only one we went to.Words, and even photos don't do it justice. It's like visiting another world.It's been consistently voted one of America's " Ten Most Romantic " beaches and USA Today featured it as " one of the best southern beaches for a weekend escape. " It is simply breathtaking. The driftwood is everywhere...and much of it is larger than life. It feels quite prehistoric. It's funny how beautiful I found these dead, uprooted trees.They really are beautiful... very artistic. In addition to the beaches, the shopping, restaurants, nature center, sea turtle center, golf, boating and fishing make Jekyll Island a worthwhile stop while visiting coastal Georgia! For more information visit the Jekyll Island website.

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If I Do Say So Myself...My Parents Make Adorable Elves.

Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 07:39:58 -0800

You know how much I love to edit photos of my grandchildren for each holiday?Well I have also edited lots of photos of my parents for the holidays to share on facebook. Last Christmas I made this elf photo of Mom and Dad:The great thing about the photo is that it is PNG. I can easily place them on any background.So here is the pic I shared on facebook:Shortly after posting it, I thought of "elf on a shelf" and posted this... Of course, one thing led to another and I ended up spending half of Christmas Day posting my elf parents on different backgrounds based on Christmas music lyrics.... Dashing Through The Snow Up On The Rooftop All I Want For Christmas Is Stew Silent Knight Blue Christmas Do You Hear What I Hear? They Know When You Are Sleeping Santa Baby Reindeer Games Deck The Stalls Crazy, I know. But I had so much fun. I hope you enjoyed them. Let me know which is your favorite.

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