If someone had told me 7 years ago when I was thinking of leaving the wine industry to start my own business that I would be soon staging homes, designing interiors and creating custom furnishings amongst other things... I would have said they were nuts! How could I possibly be doing that when I have been a marketeer and brand director for most of my life.You can't simply just go out and start something completely different at 40 in a field that you didn't even know existed, can you?
We'll I guess I proved myself wrong - and others in our industry are continuing to prove me wrong time and time again. Professional Stagers are no longer a person or team that comes into a home and makes end tables from garbage cans with table cloths (not sure we ever really were that), but it has morphed into a wonderful industry of professionals who are educated business people with diverse businesses. If we choose to be, we can provide services for whatever the homeowner needs, whether they are selling or staying in their homes.
The Home Staging professional of today can be master marketing, interior designer, personal shopper, furniture designer, contractor, project manager, author, speaker, and product developer. We are only limited by our own minds and time. Last week alone I worked on four interior design projects, project managed a kitchen remodel, conducted two large stagings and one enhancement staging and spoke at a local event about a book that I was professional adviser for by Nolo Press on selling a house in a tough market.
Now you tell me what other job in the world would provide me with that kind of diversity? My English born husband always says how lucky we are to live in the United States where opportunities are everywhere. We can do whatever we want. We are only limited by ourselves which means we have no limits.
Last night I had a dinner party for one of my favorite Realtors Denise Papas of J. Rockcliff Realty. In attendance was also the Foster Family whose house I staged last year in Castro Valley which sold in a matter of days. Denise found them a house right down the street from me in Danville and they are now our neighbors. They walked over for dinner and we sat in the back yard last night having a grand time talking about lives, schools and what else - if I had time to come over and talk about some ideas for their house. A the Professional Stager - nice gig.
This was a project that we could not wait to share with you.
We worked on this project for four months. Before our client purchased the property it was used as a half-way house for recovering addicts. A great cause but its located in the heart of an established neighborhood and maintaining the property was not number one the previous owners priority list.
The new owner was referred to us by another Stager from Active Rain because we offer Full Service Staging and could fill the clients needs. We met with the new owner, assessed the needs to bring it up to current market value and away we went. He agreed to all of the recommended items and we ended up changing every detail of the house except the roof and the foundation! A crew worked six days a week on every detail. Here are just a few of the before and afters:
Turn a Family Room into a Master Bedroom with a new Travertine covered fireplace
MASTER BEDROOM BEFORE
MASTER SUITE AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Turn a tiny bedroom into a Master Suite Bath
MASTER BATH BEFORE
MASTER BATH AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Turn an area that was just dirt under the house into a spectacular laundry room/craft area
No befores available - it was just a dirt mound
Take a Front Door and move it from the side of the house to the front - Curb Appeal!
EXTERIOR BEFORE
EXTERIOR AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Take down three walls to open up the gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay
GREAT ROOM ENTRANCE BEFORE (lots of walls)
GREAT ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Gut the entire kitchen and start fresh with new floors, cabinets, appliances and granite counters
KITCHEN BEFORE
KITCHEN AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Update the facade of the fireplace
FIREPLACE BEFORE
FIREPLACE AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Change three outdated, dirty and dingy bathrooms into beautiful spaces
HALL BATHROOM BEFORE
HALL BATHROOM AFTER
GUEST BATHROOM BEFORE
GUEST BATHROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
KIDS BATHROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Remove outdated and unattractive banister and replace with contemporary bamboo and glass
What were the results of all this work? Sold in 6 days for the highest price ever received in that area - ever. Yes, even in this market.
www.staged-to-sell.com is the East Bay's premier full service staging company. Our services include small and large preparation of homes for market. Whether our clients just need the bare minimum to make their home stand out from the rest or much more we have the resources and team to make it happen. For more information visit website www.staged-to-sell.com.
The title of this blog would make most of the people who know me laugh. I am a huge advocate for never ever giving anything away for free- from a business prospective. Stagers work much too hard to discount their services whether that service is verbal or back breaking it should always be associated with a monetary amount. No one values FREE, no one.
How often have we heard had a homeowner or Realtor call us up and say would you mind just coming over and giving me a few ideas on what to do to prepare my home for market? There is no fee for that right?
But this is not a dissertation on why we Stagers should Never give away our services. This is actually a blog on the joy and satisfaction of working with a fabulous couple whose home we completed yesterday right up the street from my own home in Danville.
I met them almost a month ago through a wonderful Realtor from J. Rockcliff Realtors. She had me do a consultation with the lovely couple who have strong English accents and a lively and engaging wit that had us laughing for the full hour. They had lived in their lovely home for almost thirty years and they were in the process of moving to the retirement community of Rossmore where they have just bought a home.
They had aquired hundreds of beautiful furnishings items over past three decades and each item had a strong a story they were wiling to share as we made our way through their home. It took longer than usual because they had the Realtor and I laughing so much from their stories and jokes. I have a special fondness for dry English humor and they had me laughing so hard at one point my eyes watered.
After the consultation we sent them the full room-by-room report and contract. They assured me that they had lots of help to get all the recommendations done and would be ready for staging soon.
Over the next several weeks we had phone conversations and a follow-up visit. The phone calls were often late at night and I became concerned when their voices became almost a whisper and they told me how exhausted they were by the process. I stopped by to see how things were going and the couple looked like they had lost 10 pounds each and were about ready to collapse from exhaustion. I told them to stop packing - stop moving - stop whatever they had left. What items remained Staged to Sell would deal with at no extra charge. It seems their help had not materialized as planned and they were doing everything themselves.
When we arrived yesterday they were very tired and really ready to move on to their next home. They left that morning and we went to work using many of the homeowners own items. It took a even longer than expected, but when they returned at 4:00 and they entered the home they could not contain their excitement. They had smiles from ear to ear. I could feel this huge weight come right off their shoulders. Their wit and dry sense of humor returned and were in rare form.
The home they couldn't wait to leave just that morning was now "absolutely spectacular" in their eyes. When the Realtor arrived they practically ran to the door and told her their house had never looked so amazing. My crew and I were exhausted, but the satisfaction of helping this wonderful couple was worth every aching bone.
Sometimes margins are just not that darn important, I just hope my bookkeeper isn't listening.
Kym Hough's Staged to Sell serving Danville, Oakland, Lafayette, San Ramon and the Berkeley/Oakland area. For more information go to www.staged-to-sell.com
Ideal family neighborhood is the setting for this immaculate 5 bedroom, 3 bath home. Updated kitchen and hardwood floors. Beautiful backyard looking out to open space. Listing brought to the market by Lynn Anderson of Zip Realty. Staged by Kym Hough's Staged to Sell. For more information on this listing go to www.staged-to-sell.com and click on listing.
This listing will only be on the market for a short time because it has a fabulous location. It is listed at a wonderful price. Its Absoultely GORGEOUS too! This 4 bedroom 2 bath ranch style home with spacious private yard and pool. A charming porch for sitting at the end of the evening with a glass of wine. Listing provided by Roxanne Chanos of J. Rockcliff Realtors in Danville. For more information on this listing go to www.staged-to-sell.com and click on listing.
It doesn't happen often, but when it does it gives me a stomach ache.
We were on a job earlier this week when my Blackberry did the little jingle it does when an email has come through. I stopped hanging the new fixture Danny was just adjusting over the dining table and scanned my in-box where I found an email from a Realtor I had staged a home for a couple of weeks ago.
"Hi Kym, this is Margaret. The sellers have decided to take the home off the market. You did too good of a job, they realize that they love it, can live there for the rest of their lives. How about that!
Oh my...not the goal of any Professional Home Stager and words we don't want to hear. Of course, we are happy that the clients loved our work, but our goal and mission is always to help them love their NEW house even more!
My crew went to pick up the job yesterday, and we all agree that they are one of the nicest families we have ever staged with. The grandparents lived with the young couple to help raise their 8 month old baby girl. They couldn't stop thanking us for our work and were pleased that they had received multiple offers but decided they now loved it too much to sell.
Moral of the story is to CALL A STAGER NOW while you are still living in the home. Don't wait until you need to put it on the market. Let us help you fall in Love with your home now and live in it for years to come. When you are ready to sell down the road you will be ready, and have spent years of enjoyment prior to selling.
OCCUPIED HOME - USING HOMEOWNER'S FURNITURE
LIVING ROOM BEFORE
LIVING ROOM AFTER STAGED
BABY'S ROOM BEFORE
BABY'S ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
OFFICE/GUEST ROOM BEFORE
OFFICE/GUEST ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
Staged to Sell is the San Francisco East Bay's premier staging company. We offer services for both Occupied and Vacant Homes and Design services for Staging to Live. For more information go to www.staged-to-sell.com. Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Danville, Orinda, Lafayette, Berkeley, Oakland, Albany and the entire Contra Costa County.
This wasn't our client's first Rodeo, as my assistant Maya likes to say. The homeowner has been through the staging process before with another Realtor/Staging team in 2008. He thought he knew what was coming and was prepared when we met for our consultation.
He had cleaned out the clutter, painted a few walls and worked on the garden a bit. He was a bit surprised when we asked for a few additional items in our report, but after lots of discussion and a few photos from our website he did agree to about 80% of recommendations and committed to staging while staying on a strict budget. Wallpaper came down, fireplace was painted and some of the dated furniture went into the garage.
The day of staging arrived and the client left his home expecting to return to a few additional touches and hoping for the best. We could tell he was not really convinced Staged to Sell could possible make that much of a difference from the Staging company who worked on his house in 2008.
When he returned from his day long excursion he was surprised, delighted and completed amazed at what he saw. "It's not the same house and completely different than it was when it went on the market last year." he said. Not only was the homeowner happy but the Realtor almost danced down the sidewalk after seeing the finished product. "The same Realtors will be coming to the Brokers Tour on Thursday that saw it last year...they won't even know its the same house" she said, smiling from ear to ear.
Result - multiple offers.
It's not just about staging, its about hiring the right Staging Company and Realtor to really make the most of the property and the market.
FAMILY ROOM BEFORE
FAMILY ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL AND A LITTLE PAINT
MOST OF THE FURNISHINGS USED IN THE STAGING WERE THE HOMEOWNER'S
FOYER AND LIVING ROOM BEFORE
FOYER AND LIVING ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
DATED DRAPREY AND DARK FURNISHINGS BEFORE
BRIGHT, WARM AND INVITING NOW
COFFEE TABLE FROM FAMILY ROOM REALLY LIGHTEN AND BRIGHTEN THIS SPACE
GUEST BEDROOM BEFORE
USING HOMEOWNER'S FURNISHINGS WITH A DASH OF COLOR
GUEST ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
For more information on Staged to Sell's services go to www.staged-to-sell.com. Staged to Sell services Castro Valley, San Leandro, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville and the entire Alameda and Contra Contra Counties
This charming bungalow had all the right touches. Beautiful molding and hardwood floors. Custom tile in the bathrooms and granite counters in the kitchen. New appliances and a gorgeous fireplace. The backyard was spacious with a massive deck for multiple uses. Even with all of these fabulous features the Realtor insisted that the home be staged for maximum appeal. The homeowner resisted, but the Realtor insisted. Staged to Sell came in and added the right touches to enhance the property even more and there were offers within a matter of days!
LIVING ROOM BEFORE
LIVING ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
DINING ROOM BEFORE
DINING ROOM AFTER STAGED TO SELL
BACKYARD BEFORE
BACKYARD AFTER STAGED TO SELL
For more information on Kym Hough's Staged to Sell go to www.Staged-to-Sell.com. We have many more before and after's of our work and lots of tips for selling your home in today's market.
Remodeled ranch on large corner lot just listed. Beautiful refinished hardwood floorsthroughout home. Large basement room with bath with separate entrance. Beautiful view off dining room deck. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters and new cabinets. Professionally staged by Kym Hough's Staged to Sell and listed by Katy Castaneda of Coldwell Banker Realty of Oakland. For more information on this listing go to www.Staged-to-Sell.com.
Basement/bonus room
Upgraded Kitchen
www.Staged-to-Sell.comis the San Francisco East Bay's Premier Staging Company. We service Oakland, Albany, El Cerrito, Berkeley, Alameda and the San Ramon Valley all the way up 680. See our website for more information on staging your listing or home.
In our neighborhood, especially at our local dog park, we are very well know for our animals. People can see and hear us coming whether we are walking the neighborhood or riding downtown in my convertible cream colored VW bug. My three dogs Petey Mackenzie, Tootsie Rose and Homer Thadeus are all in attendance. Wagging tails, hanging tongues and pure excitement abounds - no matter where we go or what we do.
We have had our threesome for almost two years now - Homer came along a little while later, but Petey & Tootsie have been with us since 2007. And like everyone says about children and pets alike "I don't remember life before them".
Ah but this is a story about dogs and cats - so now I will introduce Dexter James, Frankie Lee and Lodi Jack. These three have joined us very recently. Dexter and Frankie came to us in April. Well Dexter did - Frankie arrived at our house and took off for about 6 weeks, but finally returned. Lodi Jack is a very new arrival.
All of our animals are rescue animals, but Lodi Jack, our newest is rescued right off the street. We were coming home from camping a few weeks back and sitting at a taco stand in Lodi, California when a guy with a van pulled up in front of us, jumped out and stood their holding an 8 week old, gray, lavender eyed kitten. He had found him that morning and couldn't take him with him on his way through town traveling to Washington - so we either take him or he would have to sit him down right there and be on his way.
So here is our new addition. Lodi Jack. He has fit right in. Tootise - our only girl - loves him like her own. Petey and Homer play with him non-stop and Dexter treats him like his son bathing him daily. Frankie simply puts up with him, but we can't have everything.
Lodi Jack Johnson is now running the house including the dogs, and like I said "I can't remember life without him."
Lodi Jack Johnson
Lodi and Dexter
Petey Mackenzie getting a play tap from Lodi
Homer Thadeus and Lodi
Homer, Petey, Lodi and Tootsie - TV watching the evening news
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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