Author: Igor Nastaskin
Reaching for the Stars: An Interview with the Riviera’s NASA Man, Jim Montgomery
Of the more than 7 billion people on this earth, Hollywood Riviera resident Jim Montgomery is one of the fortunate few who gets to explore the wider universe, and get paid for it! A senior engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Jim was a member of the team that delivered the 2,000 pound Curiosity Rover to Mars in 2012, and is now working on robotic missions to Mars and Europa, a moon orbiting Jupiter . Here are excerpts from an interview with Jim we think you’ll find fascinating. What got you interested in the field of robotics/engineering? I’ve always been interested in math, science and learning in general. I grew up in Michigan, and received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan. This opened the door to a job with Hughes Aircraft Company here in El Segundo. While at Hughes, I worked on numerous programs that involved real-time embedded computer systems that marry software with hardware. I enjoyed that work and decided to pursue graduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Southern California. While there, I joined a team of students building an autonomous flying robot using a radio-controlled model helicopter as a platform. It was my introduction to the field of autonomous robotics and I enjoyed it. I received my doctorate in 1999 in Computer Science and Autonomous Robotics and that led to my current job at JPL in 2000. Were you interested in space as a child? Yes. I was born in 1964 and was a child during the Apollo moon missions. I was 5 years old when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. I immediately wanted to be an astronaut! I applied six times but was never chosen. I was disappointed but looking back, the desire to be an astronaut was a main motivating factor for me getting my doctorate, which is how I ended up with my dream job at JPL. When I speak at public events I always try to tell the audience to follow your passion, because even if you don’t succeed you will probably end up creating opportunities for yourself. That certainly happened for me at JPL. I owe my place at JPL in large part to being inspired as a 5 year old kid by Neil, Buzz and the rest of the Apollo moon astronauts. That is part of the reason why I enjoy speaking to groups about the wonders of space exploration. I hope to pay it forward by inspiring others to pursue their dreams. What is the best part of your job? There are so many things I love about my job. I get to explore the Universe for a living! I get to interact with phenomenally talented and diverse people from JPL and around the world working in common purpose to extend our knowledge of the Universe and our place in it. I get to take part in outreach events, interacting with students and the public in a variety of venues, helping to share my love of space exploration and the pursuit of knowledge with others. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity. What was your role in developing Curiosity? I was fortunate to be able to have two roles on the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity mission. In my first role, I was the field test lead for the Terminal Descent Sensor. It’s a radar we designed and built at JPL to enable us to land Curiosity on Mars. No radar existed that could meet our requirements so we had to design and build our own. Prior to using the radar on Mars, we had to make sure it would perform as expected. We do a great deal of simulation, analysis and real-world testing to ensure that the systems we build here on Earth will perform as required for our various missions. I led the team that field tested the radar here on Earth using a helicopter and an F-18 jet to simulate the flight dynamics of the radar over “Mars-like” terrain, that is terrain with little to no vegetation with features like those we see on Mars. Death Valley and the Mojave Desert are two of our favorite tests sites for this kind of activity. My second role was on our surface engineering operations team. We are a team of engineers responsible for safely operating Curiosity on the surface of Mars. I was part of the team that received data from Curiosity each day and used that data to determine rover health and status. Other members of our engineering team would take that data and use it to plan future operations on Mars with the science team. They would uplink the new commands to Curiosity and she would send back the results down the next day and the cycle would be repeated. How is the Curiosity Rover doing today? Overall, very well. Curiosity landed on Mars on Aug 5, 2012 and since that time has achieved her primary mission. The question before Curiosity landed on Mars was “Was Mars ever habitable for life as we know it?” The answer is a resounding yes. We now know due to Curiosity that microbial life (single-celled organisms) could have existed on Mars a billion years ago, when Mars was a warmer, wetter planet. We’re not saying life ever did or does live on Mars, only that the conditions for life existed. It is very inspiring to be able to work on something where we rewrite the science text books, expanding human knowledge to areas where we previously did not know the answers! What robotic missions to space are you currently working on? I’m working on the Mars 2020 mission (https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/), our next rover mission to Mars. It is based heavily on the MSL/Curiosity mission in terms of hardware and software. The science payload has changed as the focus for this mission is to find the bio-signatures of life. Basically, we are trying to find evidence of past or present life on Mars. It is really hard though because single-celled organism do not tend to leave fossil records like more complex life forms do and that is really the level of complexity we think could have evolved on Mars a billion years ago based upon the state of life on Earth at that time. I’m working on the system that will allow us to land in locations on Mars that were too dangerous for past missions. The scientists really want to go to these places because they think that if life did or does exist on Mars, these places have higher likelihood. They tend to be more rugged terrain like cliff faces and former river deltas. Do you think humans will ever visit Mars (or any other planets besides the moon), and if so, when? Yes, I think we could perform an orbital mission to Mars where we don’t land but circle the planet in the 2020’s. I think landing humans are Mars is entirely feasible within years of accomplishing that goal. Do you have any advice for current students who hope to one day go into a field like yours? In general, follow your passion, dream big and focus on your goals. I wanted to be an astronaut and studied math, science, and engineering. That was my passion when I was a youth. I never became an astronaut but in following my passion and working hard it opened the door to my current job at JPL. Specifically, if you want to work in space exploration, I would say make sure to get a degree in a science, math or engineering field and when you are in college make sure to do internships with one or more companies in this field, be it JPL, another NASA field center, or a commercial company like SpaceX. You will get valuable work experience, you will be exposed to things that may cause you to redirect your coursework and you are more likely to be hired straight out of college with that company since you are a known quantity to them. How long have you lived in the Hollywood Riviera and why did you pick this area to live in? My wife, April, and I bought a house in the Hollywood Riviera in 2008 because it has more of a neighborhood feel with most homes being single family. It has less of a crowded city feel, more verdant and quieter. And I can even see a few stars at night! Coming from Michigan where I could see the Milky Way Galaxy in the night sky, getting to see some night sky reminds me a little of home. We also like that we can walk down to the Riviera Village from our house. What do you enjoy doing during your free time? Hiking, gardening, spending time with friends and family, sitting in the back yard watching the natural world around us, sharing my knowledge of sustainable living (plug-in electric cars, solar PV systems, rain water capture, etc.) with others, volunteering my time for causes that speak to me and doing my small part to help make the world a more happy, peaceful and compassionate place. Feel free to contact Jim at [email protected] if you have any questions. Click here to read Igor’s full newsletter on Scribd.com – http://www.scribd.com/LiveInHollywdRiviera
The Facts (and Myths) on Down Payments and PMI
Thinking about buying a home and worried about your down payment? You’ve likely heard the rule of thumb about not purchasing a home unless you can put 20 percent down. Before accepting this myth, Freddie Mac suggests doing your homework, weighing the pros and cons regarding your down payment options, and separating the facts from the myths. Fact or myth? The more you put down, the lower your monthly mortgage payment will be and the less you’ll owe the bank. Fact: It’s a simple numbers game— the more you pay now, the less you pay monthly during the life of the mortgage. However, if putting 20 percent down is not an option or will deplete all your savings and leave you with no financial cushion, it’s probably not in your best interest. Fact or myth? Your down payment must come from your own savings. Myth: Your down payment can come from a number of sources, including personal funds, gift funds, grants and affordable second mortgages. In addition, many state, county and city governments provide financial assistance for people in their communities who are well-qualified and ready for homeownership. Fact or myth? A growing number of borrowers are putting down less than 15 percent. Fact: The average down payment among first-time homebuyers in 2016 was 6 percent, and 14 percent for repeat buyers. You can even put down as little as 3 percent through mortgage options such as the Freddie Mac Home Possible Advantage mortgage. Fact or myth? Homebuyers who put down less than 20 percent have to pay Primary Mortgage Insurance (PMI), an added insurance policy that protects the lender if you are unable to pay your mortgage. Fact: Although you’ll have to pay PMI for a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20 percent, you still will be able to take advantage of the 30-year fixed rate mortgage that can offer you security and peace of mind throughout the life of your loan.
Cut Back on These Seven Outdoor Trends to Help Sell Your Home
If you’re planning to place your home on the market, you’ll want to make sure prospective buyers can picture themselves enjoying the great outdoors. From the wrong trees and shrubs to poor patio lighting and pools, realtor.com offers seven outdoor trends that experts say you should avoid in order to sell. 1. Landscaping laid out with a ruler Nice, neat lines used to be the trend for planting flower beds and bushes, but today’s outdoor look is much more natural. Try adding some curved lines to your planted beds and yard design for a softer, more realistic appearance. No flower beds? Consider arranging slate pavers or a brick walkway in a winding shape. 2. The same inexpensive trees everyone has Typical foundation planting used to include yews, rhododendrons and dwarf Alberta spruces because they were inexpensive to install, grew well in most climates and gave a year-round green look. Today’s trees of choice include Eastern red cedar, sugar maple, Colorado blue spruce and myrtle. Steer clear of trees that rain leaves and needles (pecan, oak, sweet gum, Eastern white pine) and your look will be neater and easier to maintain. And when it comes to placement in your yard, think strategically. Don’t plant trees too close to the fence line or the branches, leaves, and pine cones will drop into your neighbor’s yard, and don’t let anyone put large trees near the foundation of your home. This trend leads to branches growing into the house and limbs landing on the roof, especially during stormy weather. 3. Overly bright outdoor lights Lighting design has become popular, but overdoing this look can be a disaster for your neighbors. It’s one thing to highlight a few select trees in your backyard, but quite another to install wattage that resembles a major-league stadium. Tone down your lighting with a more measured approach: Stick to bulbs that are 50 to 75 watts, and don’t use anything stronger than the fixture allows. 4. Garishly colored mulch Some gardening enthusiasts swear that red or black mulch is better for certain plants and may absorb sunshine and keep the ground warmer, but in reality these unnatural hues can be a real turnoff. Your best bet here is to embrace natural bark instead. Tinted mulches seem to decompose more slowly and may be more susceptible to fungus that can then attach itself to nearby trees or shrubs. They also have been found to slow the growth of established plants and even starve new ones by tying up the available food in the soil. 5. Splashy water features The water trend is definitely appealing to some, but installing one might not pay off. According to the National Association of Realtors, installing and equipping a concrete pool can cost $30,000. And potential buyers who are planning a family (or already have young kids) will have to deal with the constant safety concerns and upkeep costs. As for ponds and fountains, keep in mind that while water can improve the overall health of your garden, it also attracts insects and larger creatures. 6. Over-the-top landscaping Elaborate plantings, sculpted trees and deep flower beds filled with annuals may seem lush and inviting, but a future homeowner will probably wonder how hard he or she will have to work to keep up this look. One person’s weeding and trimming fun might be another’s weekend drudgery. Overwrought plantings are a thing of the past; modern homeowners are happier with simpler designs and fewer bushes to fertilize and water. 7. Huge lawns Lose the ginormous lawn. For a better, more on-trend look, plant less grass and more native foliage. A smaller lawn means less mowing and watering, too. To give your property and its surroundings some flair, choose plants and flowers that grow and thrive naturally in your area (for example, hardy, drought-resistant shrubs make sense in California and the Southwest).
Three Tips for Selling an Eco-Friendly Home
Eco-friendly features can help a home stand out in a competitive real estate market, especially to environmentally conscious homebuyers. In addition to the promise of lower electric bills, green upgrades such as installing a solar energy system on the roof actually can increase the resale value of a home. According to a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, installing solar panels adds an average of $20,000 to a solar home’s value. Other “green” and energy-efficient home upgrades also increase the selling price of a home—in California, homes with green labels sell at an average price premium of 9 percent. Here, Redfin offers a few tips that can help you get the most out of your eco-friendly investments when listing your home. 1. Advertise the many different value propositions of a “green” home The same eco-friendly home feature will attract different homebuyers for different reasons. Some prospective homeowners may be interested in the environmental benefits that green homes offer, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and sustainably-sourced materials. Others may be motivated by the financial benefits that result from eco-friendly upgrades such as solar. A home with green upgrades also can be a selling point simply because it means that homebuyers won’t have to spend time or money to update the property themselves. Be sure to advertise all of these different value propositions in your home listing to make sure you’re attracting as wide a pool of potential buyers as possible. Communicating the many benefits that your green home offers will ensure that you see strong financial returns on the eco-friendly upgrades you make to your home. 2. Get specific! Highlight tangible benefits to homebuyers In addition to their environmental benefits, eco-friendly home upgrades can result in tangible benefits for prospective buyers. For example, solar panels provide a very real financial incentive in the form of dramatically reduced electricity bills. Other energy-efficient home upgrades offer similar financial savings. In your home listing, sales materials and elsewhere, make sure to use specific numbers that communicate the economic value of your home’s green upgrades to prospective buyers. For example, if your solar panels reduced your electricity bills by 90 percent last year, or your energy-efficient HVAC system cut your winter heating costs in half, share that information as clearly as possible. There are a number of independent programs that offer “green labels” to verify your home’s eco-friendly characteristics. Educated homebuyers who are interested in green homes will search for recognizable green labels like the LEED certification when shopping online. If your home recently went through an energy efficiency upgrade, you also can share its HERS Index rating in your property listing. 3. Make your real estate agent your biggest “green” advocate Environmentally friendly home upgrades are a worthwhile investment that can pay off in no time, but they don’t always come cheap—for example, solar panel costs can range from $10,000 to $15,000 for an average-sized solar panel installation. Even if you already appreciate all of the benefits that these eco-friendly upgrades offer, make sure your real estate agent understands the competitive advantages that make your green home stand out from the crowd. This also extends to the real estate appraiser that evaluates your home’s value. For instance, if you want to ensure that your home’s listing price includes the value of your solar energy system, consider using a tool such as PV Watts to calculate the specific dollar value of your solar PV installation. Taking these simple yet effective steps will help ensure that selling your eco-friendly home is as successful as possible.
Seven Inexpensive Landscaping Ideas That Will Pay Off Later
A home with a gorgeous yard isn’t just easy on the eyes. According to research conducted by Virginia Tech, well-landscaped homes also sell for 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent. The only problem is, professional landscaping costs an average of $3,219, according to HomeAdvisor.com. But pros aren’t the only way to go. Here, Realtor.com offers seven inexpensive landscaping ideas. 1. Show your lawn a little TLC While overgrown plants and weeds can make a home look run-down, a well-manicured lawn signals to prospective home buyers that the house is maintained well inside as well. So, start by cutting the grass, trimming shrubs and pruning hedges. Buried in weeds? Try using this homemade weed killer: Mix white vinegar, one-to-two cups of salt (table or Epsom) and a small squeeze of dish detergent. 2. Install drought-tolerant plants One-third of all household water use typically goes to landscaping, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s no surprise, then, that sustainable design (yards that require low maintenance and less water) is one of the hottest trends in residential landscaping, according to a recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a new irrigation system? Invest in some easy-care, drought-tolerant plants such as coneflowers, lantanas or yarrows. Their ability to survive in dry conditions and minimal need for water can be nice selling points to home buyers. Easier for you, too. 3. Find free mulch Laying down fresh mulch in a flowerbed or around the base of trees can make a yard instantly more appealing. Not only does this layer of bark and compost enrich the soil, it also looks far nicer than bare dirt. Unfortunately, purchasing mulch can drag down your budget. Even if you buy it in bulk, mulch costs between $15 and $65 per cubic yard. But why pay for mulch when you can get it for free? Many cities offer free mulch to residents. Check with your local government to see if there’s a program available in your area. You’ll need to rent your own truck if you want to load up, but doing so is another way to cut your landscaping expenses, since mulch delivery can cost between $354 and $1,093. 4. Use gravel or granite instead of concrete Concrete—for driveways and sidewalks—may be the go-to for many homeowners, but it’s also expensive, costing $98 per cubic yard. So, go for the less expensive option of pea gravel, which costs drastically less, at $30 to $35 per cubic yard. Even cheaper? Decomposed granite, which costs only about $3 to $5. 5. Buy plants in bulk While you don’t need a wide array of foliage to make your landscaping shine, a select few can do wonders and save you cash. By choosing three varieties of plants for your garden instead of 10, you can buy in bulk and often save money. Some nurseries even offer discounts of 15 percent to 30 percent on the purchase of five or more of the same plant. 6. Brighten up outdoor lighting Many home buyers schedule viewings at night, since they work during the day. Therefore, you need to be mindful of how your home’s exterior appears at night. That doesn’t mean that you need to hire a contractor to install an outdoor lighting system, which HouseLogic.com estimates can cost on average $4,925. Just make sure that all of the current light fixtures have working lightbulbs. For optimal brightness, use lightbulbs with the highest wattage possible (based on safety guidelines). The caveat: Keeping the outdoor lights on at night will bump up your electric bill; however, having a well-lit exterior will help your house make a great first impression. Put simply, it’s worth the extra expense. 7. Hire a landscaper… for free Landscape architects typically charge $70 to $150 an hour. However, many local garden centers provide landscaping consultations for free or for a small additional cost if you buy plants from them. In other words, you may not need to pay a penny to get landscaping advice from a professional.
Six Ways to Win a Bidding War
A hot spring market fueled by high demand and low inventory has emerged in 2017. Buyers are doing their best to stay ahead of rising interest rates, but often are confronted with short time frames to view properties and end up competing against multiple offers. Here, U.S. News & World Report offers six strategies for creating the strongest offer in a competitive home-buying situation. 1. Access the comps During your home search process, you’ve gained a strong understanding of the market and how far your dollar will go by viewing homes and following their prices. Now that you’ve zeroed in on a specific house, take the time to review the most recent comparable sales with your agent to determine its actual value. Think of market value as a bubble, spanning a small spectrum of prices. On the back end of the bubble, you are getting the house at a great price—indicative of a buyer’s market. The front end is the top dollar you would pay for the home without overpaying—a perfect example is today’s seller’s market. The sweet spot in the middle is a price representative of a mutually beneficial price. While preparing the offer, assess the comps and determine what part of the bubble you are willing to pay for the house. Be sure to set your expectations accurately considering the perceived demand for the house as well as local market trends. 2. Ask questions Don’t assume the sale price is the end-all-be-all for the sellers. Have your agent find out where their priorities lie before constructing your offer. Depending on their life situation, previous real estate experiences and other important factors, there may be other ways to provide strength to your offer. One example is to find out their ideal settlement time frame. While some sellers like to be out as soon as possible, others may want a longer timetable or lease-back to accommodate the purchase of their next house. 3. Have your deposit and financing in order Again, the strength of your offer is made up of many factors. The deposit is one area you may be able to fortify by increasing the amount, showing the seller you’re willing to put your money where your mouth is. Talk with your lender to find out what loan options are available. It is imperative you don’t overextend or put yourself in a financially perilous situation. That said, there are certain mortgage programs that a seller will find more attractive than others. Be responsible and financially knowledgeable to put yourself in the best position possible, both short and long-term. 4. Include an escalation clause An escalation clause can be added to the offer to incorporate incremental jumps in price above the highest offer. There is a cap in place to dictate just how far you’re willing to go. An escalation clause is an excellent tool to span the “fair market bubble,” as it allows you to be highly competitive while not paying more than necessary. For example, if there are three bids on a property listed for $500,000, you can write a full-price offer with an escalation up to $525,000 that increases in $5,000 increments. If the second-highest offer is $510,000, you would only have to pay $515,000. Why wouldn’t you want to make the increments as small as possible? You don’t want to allow consideration for any other factors the second-best offer may include, such as financing or a better settlement time frame. 5. Write a letter Although we often look at an offer objectively when deciding what makes the most sense, there always is another human being on the other side of the transaction, foreclosures excluded. Recognizing the history of the property and telling the seller how you will build on it is an excellent way to set yourself apart. A well-written note can tug at the owner’s heartstrings and tilt the scales in your favor. Focus on what drew you to the house and what left the greatest impression. Be specific when you identify factors that set it apart from all the others you viewed and gave you that aha moment. Don’t tell the seller what was wrong with the property or what you’d do to improve the property, but explain how you plan to make it your home. It’s OK to play the growing-family card or any others you have. It is not advisable to include a picture. While this has nothing to do with how good-looking you are, it has everything to do with violating fair housing laws. You don’t want the seller to feel any pressure one way or the other in their decision based on any of the protected classes—race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or family status. 6. Breathe This may be the most beneficial (and overlooked) factor of all. Fast-paced seller’s markets often can cause frustration and anxiety that leads to poorly thought out, rambunctious decisions and buyer’s remorse. Be sure to take a step back and analyze your thought process, decision and the short- and long-term ramifications. Rather than letting your competitive nature or emotional attachment to the property get in the way, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts before submitting your offer. This will help ensure your aha moment doesn’t become an “oh no” moment six months later.
Riviera Resident Turns Adversity to Strength
Sometimes, horrible situations actually become a blessing in disguise. Such was the case for Riviera resident Peggy Maddox, who was given only two months to live when she was diagnosed with metastatic malignant melanoma in 1983. The mother of two young boys at the time, the diagnosis upended Peggy’s life, but ultimately helped her dig deep within to find courage and the desire to help others cope with life-threatening illness. “My diagnosis taught me to live in the moment and not wait to travel, spend time with others and do things I’ve always wanted to do,” says Peggy. “I drew on the spirit within me and prayer and was able to overcome the fear, depression and anger that comes with a life crisis such as this.” A sun lover her whole life, Peggy lives just a few blocks from the beach and spent many hours in the sun soaking in the rays, a habit she believes contributed to her diagnosis. “I remind friends and family to use sunblock, get suspicious moles biopsied, and check your birthday suit on your birthday for any new moles,” she says. Peggy was the first patient to participate in a clinical trial immunotherapy program at the John Wayne Cancer Institute that she credits for her recovery. “When I was diagnosed my goal was to see my sons graduate high school, and now I have 3 grandchildren,” she says. Peggy used many tools to help in her recovery, among them keeping a positive attitude, scheduling a time to indulge in fear, using meditation and biofeedback and relying on journaling to process feelings. She explains these stress-coping strategies and many more in her book, “On the Edge, Health Crisis: Helping Yourself,” which she wrote in 1991 to describe her journey to health. The second edition of the book was released in 2015 on Amazon. Peggy taught health and wellness for more than 35 years, including a class on acupressure/applied kinesiology at Torrance Adult School and Character Traits and Values at Rolling Hills Country Day School. She has lectured at wellness organizations on health and stress management and universities and colleges throughout Southern California. Now retired, she has lead a senior walking group through Torrance Adult School for 30 years called The Dolphins that meets twice a week to stretch and walk at Torrance Beach. She also does water aerobics three days a week and plays golf. Peggy, her husband Richard, and their sons moved from New Jersey to their dream house in the Riviera 42 years ago. “We love this area and I’m thankful for every day,” she says. “Life handed me a big challenge, and I survived and good things came of it.” Click here to read Igor’s full newsletter on Scribd.com – http://www.scribd.com/LiveInHollywdRiviera
Home Staging Decreases Time on the Market
Sixty-two percent of sellers’ agents say that staging a home decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2017 Profile of Home Staging. “Realtors know how important it is for buyers to be able to picture themselves living in a home and, according to NAR’s most recent report, staging a home makes that process much easier for potential buyers,” says NAR President William E. Brown. “While all real estate is local, and many factors play into what a home is worth and how much buyers are will to pay for it, staging can be the extra step sellers take to help sell their home more quickly and for a higher dollar value.” According to the report, nearly two-third of sellers’ agents said that staging a home decreases the amount of time the home spends on the market, with 39 percent saying that it greatly decreases the time and 23 percent saying it slightly decreases the time. Sixteen percent of sellers’ agents believe that staging either greatly or slightly increases a home’s time on the market, while 8 percent believe that it has no impact. Seventy-seven percent of buyers’ agents said that staging a home makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home, and 40 percent are more willing to walk through a staged home they first saw online. However, 38 percent of buyers’ agents said that staging positively affects a home’s value if the home is decorated to the buyer’s taste, meaning that a home’s staging should be designed to appeal to the largest number of potential buyers. Forty-nine percent of buyers’ agents said that staging has an effect on most buyers. Another 48 percent stated that staging has an effect on some buyers’ opinion of a home, but not always, and only 4 percent said that it has no impact on buyers. Realtors representing both buyers and sellers agreed that the living room is the most important room in a home to stage, followed by the master bedroom, the kitchen, and then the yard or outdoor space. The guest bedroom is considered the least important room to stage. The highest share of buyers’ agents (31 percent) reported that staging a home increases its dollar value by 1 to 5 percent. Thirteen percent said that staging increases the dollar value 6 to 10 percent, while 25 percent stated it has no impact on dollar value. Only 1 percent of buyers’ agents felt that staging has a negative impact on a home’s dollar value. Sellers’ agents report even more value is added from staging: 29 percent reported an increase of one to five percent in dollar value offered by buyers, 21 percent reporting an increase of 8 to 10 percent and 5 percent reported an increase of 11 to 15 percent. No sellers’ agents reported a negative impact. When deciding which homes to stage, 38 percent of sellers’ agents said that they stage all of their sellers’ homes before listing them, 14 percent will stage only homes that are difficult to sell and 7 percent stage only homes in higher price brackets. Thirty-seven percent of sellers’ agents said they do not stage homes before listing them, but they recommend sellers declutter their homes and fix any faults with the property. When it comes to paying for home staging, 25 percent of the time the seller pays before listing the home. Twenty-one percent of sellers’ agents will personally provide funds to stage the home, while 14 percent of agents will offer home staging services to sellers. Beyond staging, agents also named the most common home improvement projects they recommend to sellers: Ninety-three percent recommend decluttering the home, 89 percent recommend an entire home cleaning and 81 percent recommend carpet cleaning. Other pre-sale projects include depersonalizing the home, removing pets during showings and making minor repairs.