Business

Linda Gale can make your home more attractive to buy
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Business profile - Positive Interiors

By Paul Robins
January 15, 2010

Designer Linda Gale told Paul Robins how she can help give your home the ‘wow’ factor – whether you’re looking to sell or to stay – for less than you think…

The business: Positive Interiors, Ransom, Briff Lane, Upper Bucklebury, 01635 766011, 07747 022232, www.positive-interiors.co.uk

The boss: Linda Gale. She has 20 years experience in the property game, including building two houses.

What is your business about? “Positive Interiors is all about making clients’ properties look great. Whether they want to sell or let, or design the interior for them to enjoy. We work with clients to create a look that will help it sell or let faster and for more money, or give them the property they love to live in.”

How did you start? “I started in September 2008 and have been spreading the word about the benefits of home staging and interior design through marketing and networking meetings.”

What is home staging? “The art of property presentation. We undertake a property analysis consultation and then prioritise suggested improvements that will increase its chances of selling or letting faster on the market and for more profit.

“Lots of the changes we suggest may be only aesthetic changes but some properties need more attention to make them stand out above the rest.”

Is it becoming more popular in the recession? “Yes. People are selling property because they have to in a recession. Fundamentally this means they need to achieve the best possible price in the fastest time.

“When the recession lessens more properties will be marketed and therefore they need to stand above others on the market. They need to look better than any other property in the same price bracket and be memorable to purchasers or tenants.”

What are the golden rules to improve your property without spending a fortune? “My top five tips for home staging are; de-clutter, clean, look at the outside of the property, minimise personal photos and look at your property as if you are the person looking to buy.”

Who are your customers? “Generally my customers are vendors and landlords but we are working increasingly with families with probate properties that need transforming to sell. I also work very closely with estate and letting agents.”

How did you become a designer? “I have always been creative and used my talent in areas from cake making to photography. I was previously a partner in a plumbing, heating and building company, when I needed a new challenge. I had been helping friends and family with interior design ideas and they encouraged me to develop this into a business.”

What’s it like working for yourself? “It’s great. I love being my own boss, I decide where I work and how hard I work and I love the independence. I have two children and I am very lucky to be able to work my business around their needs.”

What gives you the most satisfaction in the job? “The best buzz comes when I have completed a project and can see that clients are extremely pleased with the results. Knowing that I have helped them to increase their profit and assist with their property move is fantastic. Moving is stressful enough but if you have someone that can help you it lessens the stress considerably.”

What’s the feedback been like? “Extremely positive. My practical and down to earth approach to home staging and interiors means I achieve results with whatever budget.”

What are your plans for the future? “I will continue to build my business and get the practices and systems in place to franchise the business in years to come. Home staging is growing in the UK.”

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Linda is a great person and her enthusiasm and professionalism is unquestionable. I know her from work I have done for Positive Interiors and through networking meetings. I can't wait for the opportunity for me to be the client and to be able to work with Linda in that capacity.

chris goslar, Reading
09/02/2010 at 15:00

Richard is an old friend! He has never dealt with me professionally and both testimonials have been withdrawn from my website even though a professional job was completed and paid for by both. Who says that you cant undertake a professional job for a friend and be publically praised for it! As an architect I am sure Richard has done jobs for friends and family and been praised!

Linda Gale, Bucklebury
21/01/2010 at 11:47

'That we a bit of a cheap shot',do you really think so?. I would myself have some serious doubts about the integrity of anyone who is prepared to let a relative and a partner post a testomonial on their website, when one of the conditions of posting a testomonial is: 'I confirm that I do not work for Positive Interiors, and I do not have a friendship or personal relationship with anyone else who does. I also confirm that this is an honest review based on my personal experience of Positive Interiors.' Regards, Richard M.

Richard Morris
20/01/2010 at 12:22

That we a bit of a cheap shot, but I hope Linda does well, its not easy to work for yourself. Any how looking for new furniture from another new business in Reading try Interior Delights, beautiful French furniture, voucher code getreading 10% of

interior delights
19/01/2010 at 11:15

Its very interesting to note that two of the three testimonials on Lindas website ( www.positive-interiors.co.uk) are either related to Linda: Sylvia House is Lindas Mother, and Julian Lewis is her partner. I would therefore question under these circumstances if these two testomonials could be considered to be truely impartial. Regards, Richard M