Why Staging Matters

We get asked a lot of questions about staging, and why it is important in the sale of a home. Simply put, as representatives of sellers, we want to recommend what we know will generate the highest and best offers for our sellers. As leaders in our local market, we have witnessed the power of staging time and time again, often seeing our staged properties garner multiple above-asking price offers. We’re not alone, 67% of Realtors surveyed say that staging a home helps sellers fetch more money during resale. We outline what staging is, why it is important, and how it can impact the bottom line when it comes to selling.   Learn More About Our Services   What is Staging? The concept of staging emerged in the 1970s by Barb Schwarz, a real estate professional with a background in theater. She developed and coined the term, to help her show her listings, using mostly techniques in decluttering and arranging furniture. Today, staging still uses these techniques, but also has evolved into a process of transforming rooms to generate more interest using new furniture, artwork, and accessories.   Why is it Important? Real estate has changed significantly over the past decade with the advancement of technology. Now, 43% of buyers start their search online, and over 90% of buyers use an online source for information. Professional photography and staging are critical to a polished digital presentation to draw potential buyers. The importance of the digital presentation of listings is even higher post-pandemic, with the number of buyers and sellers who would buy or sell sight unseen increasing. Staging helps buyers visualize how a home lives, and answers these common questions, “Will my furniture fit?” or “What can I use this space for?”  In today’s society of influence, home improvement shows like Fixer Upper, have reshaped the expectations of buyers of how home’s should look. Today’s buyers are looking for move-in ready, and perfectly staged homes because that is what is shown on TV and social media. Millennials (age 21-28) made up 31% of homebuyers in 2020. This age range is adapted to technology, using apps and online resources to find and view homes. To reach a larger buyer pool, your home should stand out from other inventory.   The Numbers. Staged homes typically sell faster and for more money. According to a 2020 Real Estate Staging Association RESA survey, 85% of staged homes sold above asking price and 75% of sellers saw an ROI of 5-15% over asking price with an average investment of just 1%. Although it is an up-front cost covered by the sellers, many see the benefit of this investment when it comes to the closing table. Pricing is dependent on the size of the home, how many rooms are needed, and the current market conditions.   Before + After. Below: Luxury condominium staging using a mixture of the owner's furniture and stager's furniture and artwork.     Below: Den in North End home transformation with fresh neutral paint and stager's furniture and artwork.     Thinking About Selling Your Home soon? Our services include a complimentary home preparation plan by one of our professional design consultants. This plan gives our sellers a focused view of items to do to maximize profit in their home sale. They can even show you how to use your own furniture to stage for success.   Learn More About Our Services

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8 Reasons Millennials are Moving to Nampa

It’s no secret that Boise is growing, but recently Nampa has caught the attention of millennials looking for a smaller, more rural based community to call home. The oldest millennials are entering their 40s, which places the majority of this generation in their prime home buying years. Traditionally, this generation has chosen to move to larger cities because of their rich culture and job opportunities, Boise is no exception. However, there seems to be a group of these adults choosing to move into rural areas such as Boise’s smaller sister-cities like Nampa, Meridian, and Caldwell. Why the move to Nampa? Nampa isn’t the only city experiencing the overflow of move-ins to the Treasure Valley, but as the second largest city in the area, it’s a growing hub for millennials who want a strong community without the big-city noise. Here are some of the strongest factors millennials consider before moving to Nampa:     Slower Pace of Life. Newcomers from the largest metropolitan cities around the country who say Boise has a slower pace of life would easily say the same about Nampa. With a population just short of 100,000, it offers big city opportunities while still maintaining a “small town” feel. The Nampa lifestyle prioritizes healthy work/life balance and taking time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.Lower Cost of living. The sudden stampede of move-ins to Boise from both local and out of state prospective homebuyers have consequently driven up the price of living in Boise in recent years, making the smaller, more cost-friendly city of Nampa more attractive. The average home price in Nampa typically costs between $50k to $100k less than Boise, and rent prices are often $200 to $300 cheaper than Boise as well.    Unique Job and Business Opportunities. The city is uniquely situated at the center of where Boise technology meets Nampa innovation, making it a perfect place for ambitious young business owners to take root. With a long history in agriculture and innovation, manufacturing is an up and coming industry here that is projected to grow by 40% over the next 10 years. The Boise-Nampa valley also boasts a strong network of recreational technology businesses, creating everything from camping gear, RV construction, to heavy duty textile design. Strong Agricultural Roots. Like much of Idaho, Nampa has a long history in agriculture. Longtime residents are notorious for their support of the agriculture industry and backyard gardens. Millennials with a green-thumb and passion for farming will feel very much at home here. Learn how one Boise resident moved to Nampa for this very reason: Listen Here   Close to Recreational Activities and Attractions.               Living anywhere in Idaho provides the benefit of living close to recreational activities, Nampa is no exception. There are over 24 parks, the Nampa  Recreation Center, and incredible golf courses. With Lake Lowell, fishing on the Snake River, Givens Hot Springs, and other outdoor recreation areas just a short drive away, residents can enjoy a wide variety of ways to get outside. Music enthusiasts are particularly fond of the Ford Idaho Center and amphitheater that boasts 10,500 seats. In addition, a 12,279 seat arena that often hosts events and pro rodeo circuits annually. Nick-named “The Heart of the Treasure Valley.” Nampa is about a 20 mile drive to Boise, and only 10 miles from smaller towns such as Meridian, Caldwell, Kuna, and Marsing. Not to mention it’s centrally located between the Owyhee mountain range and the Boise National Forest and foot hill         A Charming and Cozy Downtown Culture. Nampa’s historic downtown is a combination of new life and amenities seamlessly integrated into historic buildings. It offers a quaint yet vibrant atmosphere that is attractive to small business owners, merchants, and young adults seeking an environment to enjoy with friends and neighbors. Be sure to stop by the Farmer's market that runs every weekend throughout the summer months   A strong Wine Culture. Located in the heart of Idaho’s wine country, Nampa maintains a strong community of vineyards and wineries that are sure to send you home with some of Idaho’s finest wine. In fact, the fertile and rich volcanic soil once made this area the wine producing capital of the west and still holds the state’s heaviest concentration of wineries. Looking to do some wine tasting? Check out this map of the Sunnyslope Wine Trail.   Looking to make the move to Nampa? Not sure where to start? Ask the local realtors and we’ll help you get started! Contact Us  

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LBRE Recognized as Diamond Top Producer in 2022

Lysi Bishop Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty Boise was recognized as a Diamond Top Producer in 2022 at the Boise Regional Realtors Circle of Excellence Awards Ceremony in March. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to serving our clients with an extraordinary real estate experience that stands the test of time. We would like to extend our gratitude to our clients whom we've had the pleasure to work with, and who helped us make this remarkable achievement a reality.  As Boise's market leaders for three decades, we are proud to have produced over $288 million in volume in 2022, far surpassing the requirements to be acknowledged as a Diamond Producer ($60M+ for teams and $25M+ for individual agents). Although these production numbers are outstanding, we see them as a reflection of all the clients and their life journeys that we had the honor to be part of.  Congratulations to our agents, who were individually recognized for their stellar work ethic and dedication to the client experience: Lysi Bishop, Listing Specialist - Diamond Mandy McLennan, Listing Specialist - Diamond Dan Myers, Listing Specialist - Diamond Kristin Myers, Buyer Specialist - Diamond Elizabeth Campbell, Buyer Specialist - Platinum Sarah Kaisler Berg, Buyer Specialist - Platinum Vittoria Milbourn, Buyer Specialist - Gold Brenda Mathis, Buyer Specialist - Gold Bridget Crawford, Buyer Specialist - Gold   Production Levels: BRONZE: $3 SILVER: $6 GOLD: $9.5 PLATINUM: $15 DIAMOND: $25+ million for individuals; $60+ million for teams

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