Bevin Googer's Blog

Historic Downtown Charleston - Before & Afters

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:30:08 -0500

This downtown condo is located off of Rutledge Ave and offers beautiful views of Colonial Lake. This home features a renovated kitchen and both bathrooms, while still preserving the historic charm of the home. It also has 2 off-street parking spots! This is the perfect home for your downtown clients!

A Golfer's Dream! You'll want to see this stunning home!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:18:29 -0500

This beautiful custom home is located in The Club at Legend Oaks Plantation. The Club is a private gated community, and this home is located on the golf course! The home features double front porches, an open floor plan and 4 large bedrooms (with option for a 5th). All the bedrooms have great closets and large bathrooms. Be sure to check out the master bathroom - no detail was spared!

Charming Cottage in I'on (one of the nation's premiere communities)

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:50:34 -0500

This charming home in I'on is also one of the lowest priced homes (at $649,00)! It is perfect for your family with a great living space, eat-in kitchen and downstairs master bedroom.

The agent has received a lot of positive feedback (see below) and several second showings since the home was staged. We held an open house together and got a lot of agent's to come back through the home a second time, noted how much better it looked staged so they planned to bring their clients back through.

"Both parties liked the house. Whatever was done inside has paid off! I showed this a while back. We may be back to view again this week. Thanks, (agent's name)."

Doing it for Karma!

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:35:39 -0500

Yesterday I was at our local Goodwill Store buying books for the business. I grabbed mostly larger, thicker ones and a few small ones. My last grab was a book that was a little smaller, but perfect for stacking & varying sizes, and had a pretty cover of blue and yellow, called "Mary's Message to the World". After I loaded up as many as I could carry I went to the check out counter.

There was an elderly woman checking people out, and as soon as I put my stack of books down in front of her she gasped! She grabbed the last book I had put on my pile, "Mary's Message to the World" and cried, "I have been looking for this book for 5 years!" She was in complete shock - could not believe I had found the book right there and put it in front of her. She was completely flustered and couldn't say much other than "I can't believe it!"

I told her she could definitely keep the book, it did not have a significant meaning to me - it was purely for aesthetics. Then, she looked at me and kind of stuttered that she couldn't exactly purchase it, and "could I", "would I consider..." Then it dawned on me - she couldn't afford to buy the book - she was probably on a fixed income at her age and even what may seem like the smallest amount added up.

I respond that I would gladly purchase the book and donate it her (it was $1.49).

She just could not believe it! She hugged that book and just kept saying how she had looked so hard for it everywhere, had others looking for her, and it was nowhere - not even the internet! (Although I looked and it is on Amazon!)

She checked me out and kept getting flustered over the amount of books, then handed me the wrong receipt - it was very sweet. She apologized saying she was just excited about the book and was having trouble concentrating now. I paid for the books, wrote a little note stating that First Impressions had donated the book to her, so no one would think she was stealing.

When I left the store, I heard her talking to the next person in line, "Can you believe that? Oh my goodness, that made my day!"

It was an awesome experience!

REALTOR Trade Shows - You have to do them!

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:20:53 -0600

We just finished our 2008 Association of Realtors Trade Show and I cannot tell you how successful it was!

We had a booth, sponsored the Realtor of Distinction Luncheon, and hosted a Break-Out Staging Seminar. Our seminar was finished by approx. 12:00, and by 12:45 I had already received a message from an agent in attendance about giving her a quote on a vacant. She said she was going to do whatever I said because we are the experts, and really know our stuff! (I'm sure Melissa will go into more detail about the seminar - she is much better at that than me!)

By 4:30, I had received 2 more phone calls from agents who I spoke with at the Trade Show about homes they had listed and how I am going to work with them!

I cannot stress enough the great results I know our company will receive from attending this 1 event. I have 3 leads, and have only been finished for about 3 hours!

Whether you do a little or a lot, a big booth or small one, it is worth the marketing expense to get your name out there!!! Even if it is your first year, I recommend everyone do them - I think it is vital to getting your name in front of the agents, and keeping your name at the top of the mind for staging services!

Another Reason Why A Good Camera is so Important to Staging...

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:31:08 -0600

I posted another blog, http://activerain.com/blogsview/385062/Seeing-is-Believing, about a home I recently staged.

This is what the agent had to say about this home, just based on the photos I sent him (See Fernando's blog about using a good camera (http://activerain.com/blogsview/383363/Investing-on-a-good):

Email Subject Line: "WOW!"

"Bevin - I have always thought I was the best home picture taker (without being a pro) but I hand over the crown. I haven't been into the house yet but your pictures are awesome! I have integrated all of them into my slide show." - C. Aikman

See how important, not only Staging is for potential buyers, but your camera is for your business!!

Seeing is Believing!

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:57:45 -0600

I recently staged a $3.1 million home across from the beach. The main living area was basically a large square room - with combo living room & dining room.

(See my other blog, http://activerain.com/blogsview/379139/They-have-to-see)

One of the homeowners, who is a licensed agent, but not the listing agent, lives near the home and hosted Open Houses almost every weekend for over a year. She would try to explain to potential buyers all the furniture layout possibilities - and once they decided where they wanted the "dining room" to be, they would hang the appropriate light fixture. Buyers did not believe there was enough room for a decent size living area and a good size dining room.

Here is the before photo:

And, here is the after photo:

Not only, can buyers now visualize how their furniture will fit - but that it will fit!

For this home, it took the homeowners (a group of investors) about 2.5 months to finally decide to stage this home. The budget was less than $3500 (the homeowner had done the kitchen and bathrooms). A small investment to make on this $3.1 million home... I'll keep you posted on the results!

They have to see it, to believe it!

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:35:19 -0600

Inspired by a question posed by Shannon Bard, Staging Decorator Board - What is it?, about "staging boards," which Sandra Hughes explained, and I agree, were probably the white "boards that have furniture layouts on it for that room so buyers can see how to arrange the furniture." I have to say, that this is not enough! Buyers have to literally see the furniture in the room to physically imagine the home's layout.

I have seen these used by builders and homeowners. However, this is not enough. This is one of the reasons I left actively working as a real estate agent to become a stager. I would tell my buyer clients, til I was blue in the face, that this home had potential, that their furniture would easily fit here... You can remove the wallpaper, put the bed here, etc...

No matter what I did or said, they could not imagine the space in their head like I could. Thankfully, or none of us would have a job!

Also, I have worked with builders that have had these boards drawn up, and then put my furniture in the home - and it did not layout as it was drawn on their board. One client and I actually moved the furniture to try and match his board - it did not work and was not the best use of the space.

So, for the sellers and agents out there trying to tell buyers what they can do with a home, you have to actually show buyers the potential of your property!

Contact a professional stager today!

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Proud Sponsor of the 2008 REALTOR of Distinction Luncheon at CTAR's Plugged In Show, Feb. 19. Join us for our Staging Workshop at the Show at 11:00 am, and visit our Booth #26!

Why I work with a team...

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:55:19 -0600

As many of you know, First Impressions is a company based on a team, not individuals. And I am thankful for this everyday! I think that every stager should have a "team" of some sort. And that is exactly what AR provides. So, even if you work independently, and own individual companies, in times of emergency, you have your "team" or network, to reach out to.

Reason #1 - I am so grateful to be part of a team:

Last November, I was in the middle of staging my second $1 million + home for the same agent. I had brand new furniture delivered on a Tuesday, and the rest of the items were coming out of home that was unstaging on Wednesday. The agent had her photographer and virtual tour guy coming in on Friday - the home had to be finished by Thursday.

Tuesday afternoon, around 3ish, I receive a call from my mother. My sister had just miscarried at 7 1/2 months. This was her second child. I was with Melissa and Sue, my TEAM, when I got the call. They drove me home and said they would take care of everything. Melissa notified the movers not to call me the next day, she contacted the agent to explain the situation, and probably did a whole lot more that evening.

My family lives about an hour away from me, so I left town and honestly, did not think twice about the job. I cannot explain what a difficult time that was - I am sure some of you may unfortunately know - I would not wish that situation on anyone.

Melissa, Sue & Susan (another FI Design Specialist) rallied together and completed the job - buying whatever additional items they needed, working late into the night - I'm sure - without hesitation! No questions, no complaints, no payback necessary. And, I KNEW the home would look fabulous, the agent would be happy, and our business would continue.

The day after my sister miscarried, my brother and his wife had their first child - a healthy baby boy. So, I was out of town, unexpectedly, for a little over 2 weeks - trying to never leave my sister's side, while still doting on my newest nephew. While I was gone, Melissa and team, also covered a walk through for me, with the same agent - which I had cancelled on a few weeks earlier because my 93 year old grandmother had a heart attack and we were not sure if she would make it out of surgery, so I rushed out of town again. She did survive and is doing fine today!

Reason # 2 - See my other blog, Has this ever happened to you? which, by the way, is the same agent for all 3 of these properties - kind of ironic...

I cannot explain my gratitude for these women. The emotional support they provided during an extremely difficult time, as well as the physical support of running to my rescue for an emergency staging and un-staging.

I think we can all benefit from a team - whether you are competitors or in the same company - at times, we all need someone to help us out a little...

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Proud Sponsor of the 2008 REALTOR of Distinction Luncheon at CTAR's Plugged In Show. Join us for our Staging Workshop at the Show!

Has this ever happened to you?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:30:49 -0600

I get a call today around 4pm from Mr. Homeowner, who I thought lived in Virginia. He says, "Hey Bevin! Its me, Mr. Homeowner, I just walked into my house and all your furniture is still here!"

I say, "Yes, the staging is still there. Is there a problem?"

Mr. Homeowner, "Yeah, I'm moving back! Didn't my agent tell you? And why is the house staged, I didn't pay for it?"

Long pause, as I am processing what he just said...

Me, "Your agent paid for another month's rent. She planned to continue the staging until the home sold. What do you mean you are moving back?!"

Mr. Homeowner, "Yep, I'm back and my stuff is getting delivered at 8am tomorrow morning!"

WHAT?!?! What in the heck am I supposed to do now at approx. 4:15 pm on Thursday? Ok, stay cool, you're a stager, you can move mountains!

Me, "Ok. Just let me make a few phone calls. I'll get it fixed."

I call my regular mover - he doesn't answer. Even if he did, did I really think he was going to be able to un-stage the home for me right now? Or, before 8am tomorrow morning? Well, it couldnt hurt to ask, right?

Next call, of course, to Melissa and our assistant Sue. I explain the situation, as fast as I can, and ask if they are available to move a home - with a lot of furniture in it - tonight? Like, right now?!

No problem! Sue even had the brilliant idea of renting a UHAUL (duh!), instead of making 5 trips in 3 separate cars. My husband quits work a half hour early, picks up his dad's truck and off we head...for the emergency un-staging!

I call the homeowner to tell him it is under control and he will be able to move his furniture in tomorrow at 8am. He explains the "slight" miscommunication between him and his agent. He did not realize that she was paying for the staging past January. So, when he called her a few weeks ago and mentioned that he was probably moving back, but did not specify when...he did not know my furniture was still there. She thought he knew she paid to continue the staging, and would tell her when exactly he was moving back, so she could make proper arrangements...

We arrive at the home at approx. 6:30pm. The super nice homeowner had already taken down all the art, mantel accessories, bathroom accessories, grouped florals together, etc. making it very easy to un-stage. We leave with all our belongings around 7:30pm, head to the warehouse to unload. By 9pm, we are headed home!

Well, they were both extremely apologetic and nice as could be about the situation. No one was mad at anyone, especially since it got taken care of.

So, here I am at approx. 12:30 am (est), finishing up my 2 quotes from today's walk-throughs, and getting ready for my 8am appointment tomorrow...

Just another day in the life, right?

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Proud Sponsor of the 2008 REALTOR of Distinction Luncheon at CTAR's Plugged In Show. Join us for our Staging Workshop at the Show!

Bedroom Follow-up...what do you think?

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:13:01 -0600

Okay, so here is the final bedroom product...unless yall think it is terribly wrong and needs to be changed...lol

I swear I wasn't playing favorites either! I tried a couple of things and suggestions, but this way (Melissa's) worked the best. Funny how that happens from her...

Proud Sponsor of the 2008 REALTOR of Distinction Luncheon at CTAR's Plugged In Show. Join us for our Staging Workshop at the Show!

From warehouse to showroom!

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:57:04 -0600

I recently blogged about setting up furniture for an upcoming vacant staging in my warehouse a few days prior to the actual staging day. (How do you prepare for a job?)

I love being able to 'shop' there and see everything I need before hand. And, what I may need to buy, etc.

This particular job was a pretty big house, and was about an hour away from my home/warehouse, so I wanted to be extra prepared.

And boy did it work! I was in the home for 3 hours total! Okay - so I did have my mom there ironing which probably saved me close to an hour - but wow! That is not a bad days work. And, I did go back over the weekend and add a rug to the master bedroom & shift some thing - but was in and out in less than 30 minutes!

So, from the warehouse...

To the showroom! (aka staged home :-)

Here is a link to the RES show for the home! Be sure to click on "Other Shows" to see all my current staged homes. http://www.realestateshows.com/250546

Proud Sponsor of the 2008 REALTOR of Distinction Luncheon at CTAR's Plugged In Show. Join us for our Staging Workshop at the Show!

I need to warm up the bedroom...

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:36:08 -0600

No, not mine! :)-

I am working on a huge home - over 5000 sq ft - that is very masculine. Lots of dark wood and brick - sometimes painted, sometimes not. It is a great home, but needed a lot of softening. Also, all the rooms are enormous!

This is the master with a king size bed in it and sitting area that is not pictured - and it still feels huge. Which is good, but it still needs some softening. I plan to put in a rug - but I am not sure what size? And, I think there needs to be some art over the bed, but I am trying to figure out how to work it with that window on the left. (This is a home where they just kept adding on and adding on... so there are lots of doors and window openings on the interior, that used the lead to the exterior). Lovely cord sticking out of the wall too, I know...

Any advice/suggestions?

How do you prepare for a job?

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:35:00 -0600

I have a vacant staging tomorrow. So, I began preparing for it beforehand:

(I had help from my teammates too - that's ALWAYS great!)

Isn't this so cool! I can make a living room, office, bedroom, whatever right in my own warehouse! I know a lot of you have probably been doing this for a while. But, I am new at the warehouse thing! I cannot tell you how much easier it makes the actual day of staging go. I am able to pull all my accessories, lamps, art, etc. and see if I need to buy more or if everything works together. Instead of shopping for a few days, then spending a day or 2 actually staging. I prepare in one day, then stage in one day (and usually less than 6 hours in a home)!

And, I know most of you do this in your head and I spent the past year doing it that way - and I find I sleep much better the night before knowing exactly what I have, or do not have. It takes a lot of the stress out of staging day.

I had so much fun playing with everything, I just had to share! It is probably the newness of the warehouse to me too :) Any other fun ideas or helpful hints to make staging day smoother?

How about when you don't "get it?"

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:47:24 -0600

I recently blogged about still "getting it" for a condo I staged. (Do you still "Get It?"). I showed a vacant before and the finished after - just a long shot of the whole room.

What I didn't show, was my mishaps along the way...which, hopefully, some of you can relate to. I clearly was having an off day, and was not "getting it" when I started this project!

I was told to do more of a 'model' look, but on a staging budget of course. And, Melissa and I have this huge warehouse full of furniture, accessories, bedding, etc., and are at a point where we feel like we should not have to buy a whole lot for a vacant staging. So, when I was preparing for the job, I tried to use items that we already owned and not buy unless absolutely necessary.

Well, here is what I did the first day of staging...

I know you are familiar with this fabric - it was popular several years ago. But, it was in our stock and had all the colors I was using - yellows, blues & greens, etc. As soon as I made the bed, I knew it was wrong - way wrong. So, I took some pictures to send Melissa and get her opinion - which I pretty much always do, even a year into the business! She agreed, it was way too dated and did not look rich enough for that 'model' look. So, I headed to the store to buy better bedding ASAP!

Here is shot of the living room - midway. I couldn't quite put my finger on what was bothering me here. (The dining room table still needs centerpiece, slipcovers, etc., so ignore the table). I knew there needed to be more art, and I had plenty, but I needed to figure out what to put where, etc. So, I email this to Melissa too, and she of course spots my problem. The art above the sofa is too small! No problem - we have TONS of art in the warehouse.

So, after shopping for more bedding and picking up the rest of my dining room accessories and more art, I finally had a look I was happy with!

Just the trials and errors of the job (I hope)! And, because I am sure someone will point out, yes curtains would have been great - but the builder did not want them put up...

Anyway, I hope yall enjoy the end product. And, hopefully my mistakes may help someone in the future!

Do you still "Get It?"

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:03:09 -0600

I got a job a few weeks ago staging a 2 bedroom floorplan for a condo builder that I had already staged a 1 bedroom and 3 bedroom floorplan for. I thought I knew what 2 bedroom floorplan he wanted when he called, so I mentally started picking our furniture in my head.

A couple of days later, I went by to actually view the 2 bedroom unit and realized it was not the floor plan I thought - it was much smaller! I had a moment of panic - what if my furniture doesn't fit? What if I make the condo feel crowded - that will completely defeat the purpose of staging! Oh no!

But I began staging the next day and of course, everything seemed to come together great and fit in its place perfectly. I was almost finished and I looked around and thought, "Wow, this place feels huge!" Then, I had to laugh at myself, because, DUH - that is why I stage homes! I love that I "Get It!"

Then I thought, I wonder if you ever stop getting it? If the more homes you stage, the less you will get that "wow" feeling at the end of the job? I was watching TLC (I think) about a family with 13 children and the mother was pregnant with #14 (no twins in there either). She was having her ultrasound and mentioned that people always say to her, "You must be used to these by now - another ultrasound - no big deal". But, she got tears in her eyes when they heard the heartbeat and showed the baby on the screen - she said "No way. Each time is like the first."

Now I realize staging a home cannot be compared to having a child - BUT I still think it is a similar scenario (in the broader sense). I hope that every home I stage always gives me that feeling of satisfaction, that I have completed the tasks that was given to me, and I will make sure that others "Get It" the way that I still "Get It."

I would love to hear from some of you that have been in business more than the 1 year that I have been and see if you still get it and love it like it was your first job?

Which room would you stage?

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:41:22 -0600

I have been working with this builder in 2 neighborhoods. The first home went under contract with a lease purchase option in 3 weeks. So, we moved the furniture to the house next door. Then, that home sold in about 5 weeks. So, we moved the furniture across the street!

The problem now is, the furniture does not work quite as well in the 3rd home as it did in the first 2. This home has a large eat-in area off the kitchen and a formal dining room (immediately to the right when you enter the home). The other homes only had a formal dining room, so I did not have the eat-in kitchen table set-up.

The builder suggested to stage the eat-in area and not the formal dining room because there is a side door and a full bath off of the dining room. So, it could be staged as an office also.

So, my question is - would you stage the eat-in kitchen and leave the dining empty? Stage the eat-in and stage the dining room as an office? Or, stage both as dining areas?

All the bedrooms (3) are upstairs. Also, this is about $360,000 - maybe a starter home, young family w/ small kids, etc. So, a formal DR is not considered an absolute necessity...