Marilynn's Blog

The emotional hook of a memory

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:44:47 -0700

Loved Gary Sefferman's blog on target marketing etc. so when I read this in Elle magazine I thought it was important to share this idea.

Lorna Hall from the trend forcasting firm WGSN talks about a new movement she calls "timelines" She says and I quote," We are living through a period of great change. Artists and designers who look forward and backward to create a product for now rather than copy what went before, inspire us. THEY USE THE EMOTIONAL HOOK OF A MEMORY AND THEN BUILD SOMETHING NEW"

Thiis is why I find " story telling" when staging my vacants works so well , In the townhouse complex geared to young families and newly married I told the story of the newly married couple off on their honeymoon. Wrapped gifts were waiting to be opened and a "gift opening" wine and cheese party was set in the dining area waiting for their return. The Realtor was surprised because no one had done anything like that before ---- but he was happy with the sale resuslts!

Marilynn Currie from Abbotsford, B.C.

( I am still not suceeding in posting pictures--- can't seem to make it work!)

Anatomy of a Vacant

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 22 May 2011 20:10:16 -0700

ANATOMY OF A VACANT

You have the agreed on the plan, the budget, the time line and the fees for staging a new build. The contract has been signed and the certified cheque is in the bank. Time for the fun to begin. Usually it is a very quick turn around from the signed contact to the videos for MLS and open house. The following is a typical vacant staging. Monday---- signed contract till Saturday open house. The Realtors and builders are always pushing the time--- be prepared. As my vacants are usually a hour away one way ---- this driving time must be considered in the staging time line and budget.

Monday: Check the site. Make sure the property has been professionally cleaned and all tradespeople have finished their work. Make sure that the neighbours are aware that a complete staging will happen on Wednesday and Thursday and there will be moving trucks and additional cars parked on the street. GET A KEY! Check color choices with your sample board. Confirm availability of staff and book them. Book the moving truck and crew. Review inventory lists and check storage.

Monday, P.M.: Mentally choose from inventory and make a list to buy to complete each room. Always keep in mind the demographics and the 'story' the show home will tell when complete

Why is it that your always get brilliant ideas in the middle of a sleepless night?

Tuesday: Shop for needed items. Take fabric for pillows, bedding and throws to seamstress. Take inventory bedding, pillowcases, and runners to drycleaners for pressing. (Why? It saves time on site if all soft goods are ready to go. It is easier for me to choose fabrics in one time shopping in fabric store rather than scoot all over to find the right pattern and pillow colour.) Order outdoor containers and flowers from nursery.

Wednesday: Pick up truck. Do not forget the tool box! Pack truck from storage in reverse order of placing in rooms. All accessories and soft goods in clear containers. ( Remember to bring lots of water and food!) Take pictures for insurance purposes. At site: Lay protective coverings on floors. All staff with indoor shoes. Place inventory in room rows in garage. Place larger items in place in correct rooms. Place art but do not hang. Stage baths and kitchen

Take pictures as you go for insurance purposes. Also. the camera sees the little things that you visually miss. Work only four hours as by this time the staff is mentally burnt out. Regroup and take suggestions for changes, where needed. ( A staff that has input is a staff that stays together!)

Thursday: Additional shopping. Pick up sewing and drycleaning. Staff completes each room and hangs art and mirrors last. Polish and clean ,as necessary as you go. As each room is complete close the door.

Friday: Pick up outdoor containers from nursery and arrange flowers in main rooms. Final showcasing of each room. Take pictures for yourself. Video person arrives with Builder and Realtor. Take kudos. Arrange to buy video.

Saturday: Leave business cards in prominent place. Open house. Realtor arranges for goodies.

Saturday: Write up inventory with pictures. Post expenses and pay staff invoices.

Monday: Phone for feedback from the Realtor and Builder. Add their compliments to website!

Stop the car!

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:34:32 -0700

STOP THE CAR ! is the reaction you want to evoke from your buyer. With "For Sale" signs breeding like rabbits, it is the wise seller whose property "wows" drive bys. So how do you get the "gotta have it" emotion in the buyers mind?

Just as you declutter the inside do the same for the outside. Remove all tacky lawn and garden ornaments. Mow lawns. Spread Green Valley 18/6/12 over the lawns for a quick pick me up. Fill in the bare and low patches with blend soil ($28 a yard, delivery extra) Spread seed and water.

After pruning, string trimming, edging and weeding add a top dressing to the now defined gardens. Newer on the market , this composted bark mluch is fine ground and is dyed black with vegetable dye. It is a "green' product biodegradable into soil. ($35 a yard, delivery extra) It does not fade and lose its colour like the old brand. Great stuff--- it holds the moisture and discourages weeds. Your supplier should suggest a blower truck for the larger jobs.

Add bright colour with containers. In my area, a local nursery supplies planting skill for free -- if I bring in containers and pay for the soil and plants. It is great service. Source out one near you. Now that Mother's day is over , nurseries are blowing out all hanging baskets --- they will usually fit a 12/14 inch container. Remove the hanging wires and voila instant colour for the front deck and gardens. Top dress with the composted bark mulch for a finished look. By placing the container directly in the soil the seller can take them to his next property. Check out www,gardensoxx.com for another quick planting system. Small shrubs, boxwood. hydrangeas and many grasses also can supply instant colour and texture.

Trend wise match the colours of your plants to your container. One colour containers are in, re: black and chartreuse , all white flowers, or vivid double impatiens. Another big trend is foilage only-- coeleus comes in the great lime green as well as purple and all colours inbetween--add trailing sweet potato vine and creeping Jenny

One final touch add solar lighting along the pathway to the front door.(Canadian Tire sale $29.95 for 10)

So much to know! Use your local nursery's talent and expertise and make your clients happy with minimal expense.

What to do with a 7 X 7 ft room

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:16:35 -0800

Hello all you Active Rainers,.

I am staging a 1000 square foot two bedroom, one bath condo in a 55 plus building.

There is one room which could be used for a storage closet---- BUT with that small square footage I am asking you folk to come up with some unique ideas for the space. I imagine that a retired or soon to be retired couple down sizing but very sophisticated will live there.The flipper has completely renovoated and replaced everything. Kitchen cabinets ae white,black granite countertops bath cabinets are black with white marble, wallls are pale yellow. It is open concept and the 7 x7 ft room can be seen from the front door. I thought (of course) a chair and a reading area (boring) an office(boring) a bar room for cocktails--- small bar two stools , a hobby room, an exercise come spa room yoga mat on the floor----I even thought they had their 25th wedding anniversary and all the gifts were arranged in the space ready to be opened--- fancy papers and bags---- How about additional closet space bars for hanging things -------I do have a tight budget-(isn't it always the case!) I am renting him all my own inventory --- so do not want to spend too much.

Even a nursery for visiting grandbabies ---- but in a strictly controlled strata --- that may ot go over!

Got any unique ideas to add to my thoughts. It is being staged January 11.with your idea give suggestions on inventory for that room.

Singing in the Rain

Marilynn from Abbotsford, B.C. Staging For Top Dollar- Stager9

Just look at it now --- accepted offer

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:28:40 -0800

Hello all,

Just look at it now----- has an accepted offer just two days after hitting the MLS.!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ORBwocmJI

Each day makes me realize how much we need to "pay it forward" with our thank yous...

A kudo to Benjamin Moore and Aura paint. We are refurbishing our 60's era farmhouse --painting inside and out -it rolls on so easily and it covers the dark colours in one coat! The farmhouse was once a Muttart --- or factory built house every corner is straight but many of walls had wallpaper and were the old fashioned wood panelling.The paint appears to float over any imperfection.

My painter, Tage, used Benjamin Moore on the last two staged properties, it covered with just one coat as well. The clients were delighted ----- the depth of colour is amazing.

Cheers,

Marilynn Currie, Stager 9, from Abbotsford, B.C.

Just one simple thank you ----can change your world

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:54:36 -0800

Hello,

Thank you so much to everyone for those great comments on my blog 'Take a look at it now!'

You have no idea how much it cheered me up on a slow, dark very rainy day.

In the mail the same day, I received a thank you note and a ticket to cineplex theatres for referring my mortgage broker to two new families who have now moved into their new homes. It was a wake up call for me to say thank you to all my clients and Realtors. The thank yous really brightened up my world. So kudos to you foks, active rain rocks

Cheers, Marilynn from the west coast of BC

Just look at it now!

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:51:33 -0800

Hello All,

Just wanted to show you this video production of a 950 square foot, 2 bedroom condo, produced by Gloo studios. www.gloostudios.com

Staged by my team stagingfortopdollar and marketed by Doc Livingston.

We started with a Benjamin Moore Bluffs paint to cover the original red and green walls. Removed wall paper from the kitchen . Replaced kitchen and bath peel and stick floors with cork vinyl plank and updated the fifteen year old lighting.

I work almost exclusively with Doc Livingston---Now if he had only mentioned my company!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ORBwocmJI

Just copy and paste

Cheers, Marilynn

Great April---Spring in my step

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:17:12 -0700

Staging really works! Clients and builders are very happy.

Family home, consultation---- they did the work , great neighbourhood sold in 3 weeks at $5000 above asking . Whoooo!

2 bedroom condo, staged , sold at list, 2 days after hitting the market!

1 bedroom ,750 square feet , 600 square foot main floor deck accepted offer in 2 hours after list! We painted the bath and bedroom , new carpet in bedroom , staged deck with plantings .Young couple loved it. Yah! Sold at list.

One show home duplex , three floors ,gorgeous view --sold three from the show home in one month. He now has three at dry wall stage so will stage the first finished one at end of June!

One duplex 3300 square feet staged Monday--- Open house Saturday --several folk interested.

Buyers are still checking out all the listings ------and the Realtors I work with --- say they have a lot of buyers! Staged and priced right for the market moves the properties.

Cheers, Marilynn Currie from the west coast of B.C

I would love to share my work

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:20:25 -0700

I would love to share my work with you --- but how do you upload from my picture file on my computer?

I have tried all sorts of things but all I get is a box with nothing in it!

Would one of you wise folk out there explain how to do it-----in simple step by step -- it would be greatly appreciated!

Marilynn from the west coast of BC.

win win situation

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:09:38 -0800

When the Real Estate market plummeted off the cliff in July of 2008 I had three storages full of inventory and a monthly rental bill of $650.00 and no income. My husband said, "No problem ." He would take up the slack.--- but I had made a comittment to him that my company would be self- sufficent. That was not a option in my thinking. So I made some phone calls and offered the two builders I had worked for a deal.

I would stage their 4 bedroom, den, Great room, formal dining room, baths and kitchens for the staging fee alone. They would pay the one time staging fee for my 2 staff, the trucking fee and a destaging fee plus the ongoing weekly cleaning and gardening which I would also do. I would not charge them an inventory fee for as long as the houses took to sell.

In return I could close my storages and not have to pay storage fees. The excess I sold off at 2 show home sell offs from my home. Items had become dated and/or needed repair. I receive weekly cleaning fees. And a huge amount of goodwell.

They were delighted! I made sure that the contracts were specific to the two homes etc. I also put a clause in the contract that stated that the buyer could buy the furniture and/or I could sell the inventory off at a show home sale. I gave the builder a itemized cost break-down of all items.

These builders believed in staging------ but their overhead costs were too high. Since I staged these homes in November and December they both have accepted offers!

Staging works!

P.S. The builder has contracted me to stage all 5 of his homes over 1 million each ---- and he will pay the inventory fee

win win situation

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:52:09 -0800

These builders believed in staging------ but their overhead costs were too high. Since I staged these homes in November and December they both have accepted offers!

Staging works!

P.S. The builder has contracted me to stage all 5 of his homes over 1 million each ---- and he will pay the inventory fee

win win situation

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:36:07 -0800

These builders believed in staging------ but their overhead costs were too high. Since I staged these homes in November and December they both have accepted offers!

Staging works!

P.S. The builder has contracted me to stage all 5 of his homes over 1 million each ---- and he will pay the inventory fee.

Marilynn Currie from the West Coast of BC.

I walked out----

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:41:59 -0700

I guess there is a first time for everything. I was called by a friend of a friend for a consult on a single family home. Driving up, and looking at the non exsistent curb appeal, rotting fence, dead plants and weedy lawn--- my instinct was to flee. But a consult is a consult --- the screen door was broken, and the carpet on the stairs was filthy. Two adults(?) were smoking heavily and the TV was blaring on full. I asked them to turn it off---The air was blue with cigarette smoke and their was an underlying very unpleasant odour that I could not place. (Did I say it was about 85 degrees in there.)

The son proceeded to tell me that he wanted $400,000 for the place and would not take less--- he had a painter that would paint the whole place ceilings, remove wall- paper and paint for $400 and that his father would not pay for more. The mother just disappeared into the kitchen. At this point I said I could not help them and left.

I drove around the block and realized I was so upset that I had left my purse behind! Back I went, and heard very loud angry voices. The son threw my purse down the stairs and I took off and locked all my doors and peeled out of there.

I have never been in such a situation in my staging career---- next time I will listen to my sixth sense.

Has that ever happened to any of you, out there , and how have you handled it.

Cheers,

Marilynn Currie Staging for top dollar from the west coast of BC

If all else fails , have a parade

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:19:33 -0800

This blog is in reply to Annie's blog about non-payment of fees.

A contractor (female) friend and single mom had completed a huge renovation on a client's home. it required special shopping for unique finishes etc. She had spent much extra time sourcing for great prices. When it came time to the final payment ($10,000) he kept putting her off and saying a cheque was in the mail.

Several weeks went by and still no cheque. She knew from neighbours that he was very house proud and could not fault her work and he had a elevated view of his standing in the area.

She had two large signs made --- which said " This client owes me $10,000 and I have not been paid." She stuck them in his yard and then walked up and down in front of his house with a sandwich board saying the same thing.

He came out of his home several times to make her go away but she would not --- neighbours by this time were having a ball and drive bys were honking horns and waving. After a couple of hours he came out and gave her a cheque for the full amount. After the cheque had cleared the bank she removed her signs.

I call this a very feisty lady ------- desperate times call for exceptional methods!

I have had just one client who did not pay her monthly rental --- she was two months behind and I destaged it Saturday morning. Still have not been paid --- but she says a cheque is in the mail! I have my inventory and that is a good thing.

I always insist on payment before staging, a signed contract and specific rental payment dates listed. On the removal of inventory I have the client or representative sign off the inventory. I always take pictures before hand and pictures of the items loaded on my truck so there is no question.

The inventory payment must be paid at the beginning of the rental period.

Cheers,

Marilynn Currrie staging for top dollar from the west coast of B. C.

I need to vent and rant and rave--

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 01:06:00 -0700

Just got off the line with a realtor re his listing re: an open house I saw on the weekend. It really did need cleaning and STAGING. The homeowners needed to sell as they were in financial difficulties. Age 9 years, time on the market 30 days no offers.

The homeowners had already dropped in $10,000 and the Realtor suggested another $10,000 drop. The Realtor said it was perhaps a little overpriced in the first place,BUT THAT IS WHAT THE CLIENT WANTED. I suggested that did he not think that The $500.00 a STAGER would charge , plus the painters fee, would be much better for the client and his relationship then a total $20,000 drop.

Then he said, " I sell 162 houses a year and I have NEVER used a stager and why should I? If I did I would choose the Vancouver Interior Designers that dressed the vacants at my show complex.!!"

He said it would sell if he lowered the price another $10,000 dollars. There went the homeowners'equity.

After leaving the open house I met a prospective buyer. She said she two small children 1 and 3 and lived in town house that was now too small for her family. She said they could just afford to get into this house but ---- she would have bid on this house in a heartbeat ----- but and this is a big but-----

IT HAD TO BE MOVE IN READY. . She could not afford to fix the beautiful hard wood floors as they were scratched and worn-- owners had dogs. The home had not been painted for 9 years and had many nicks and woodwork needed painting. One bedroom was purple and green and another was dark blue and the carpets needed shampooing. And the yard was weedy. and needed edging and mowing. The kitchen and baths needed a through professional cleaning yet the Realtor said it was " immaculate""

The finish baseboard and mouldings in the basement were not professionally done and it showed .I could go on and on and on and There were personal pictures every where and the bedrooms/ baths were not 'dressed 'not proper bedspreads etc.

THIS BUYER COULD JUST AFFORD THE MORTGAGE --- AND THE HOUSE WOULD GIVE THAT FAMILY A HOME THEY COULD LIVE IN FOR MANY YEARS ------ IF IT HAD BEEN MOVE IN READY. As it was she moved on to something else.

And the Realtor said, Why should I use a STAGER-- I guess his sale strategy is to lower the price and lower the price --- When a buyer is plunking down almost a half a million dollars for a house --- the buyer is demanding a much higher standard of presentation and the seller better give it to him.

This REALTOR need to get with the twenty -first century.!!

Take a big breath and breathe!!!

There are great Realtors out there 3 I work for --- who build STAGING into their listing package. I have a showcase and a consult tomorrow and two consults next week from REALTORS I really respect. They are 'up" with the times. And all my houses I STAGED have all sold at asking price or with mulitple offers from $6,000 to $35, 000 over the asking price. Needless to say, Clients and Realtors may have been a bit skeptical at first--- they were won over with the value returned for their small investment.

Marilynn Currie from the west coast

http://wwww.stagingfortopdollar.ca/

07/20/2007

by Marilynn Currie

Edit

Delete

New website critique please

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:56:25 -0700

Just finished this new website . Need critique'

Marilynn Currie from the Northwest coast.

http://www.stagingfortopdollar.ca

check out my new website comments please

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:47:35 -0700

Just wanted to share with you my new website.

Story behind the website is quite amazing. I and my team did an amazing 1.4 million dollar home . It took 3 of us working 8 hours a day for 5 days to pack it up etc and etc. I myself spent two more 4 hours days, "dressing" it for the video and showcasing it for the open house.

But out of that came good friends and a new website. The daughter is an event planner for financial events in Western Canada and she markets everything through the web. She took one look at my website and BOTH of us agreed that it really needed help. I gave her imput and she built this amazing site. More before and after pictures need to be uploaded . Take a look at the second video--- this is the 1.4 million dollar home.

Thank you to my team Wendy Casey and Heidi McLane--- we did an superb job. Karen Whiton , web designer for her marketing expertise.

Check out http://www.stagingfortopdollar.ca

you may need to copy and paste into your address line

Comments , please.

Marilynn Currie CSP from the Northwest coast of Canada Staging it forward.

The hardest part is pulling on the chain mail---

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:12:31 -0700

I caught your attention didn't I! I wrote this for a magazine but it wasn't published so I thought I would share it with you.(Still am having trouble putting pictures with my blogs) How do do it???

The clerk in the grocery store was feeling rather down as she wrapped my sunny daffodils.

"It is sure bleak after the glitz and glitter of the holidays. I just bought some red tulips, to cheer me up. "I love red"

, "Yah, but, look at the space you've rediscovered . Clutter is gone." I replied.

"But boring," she said.

I went on my way thinking how to solve the problem.

"How could you add appeal without breaking the budget?"

When I stage a property, homeowners ask the same question.

Things that add to the appeal of the home can include , the freshly painted front door, the neatly trimmed boxwood hedge and the sparkling clean, clean kitchen and bath and the welcoming floral arrangement in the entry hall. Why worry about the home's appeal.

Nothing adds to a home's appeal like fresh flowers and houseplants. They add freshness and life.

Also, plants clean the indoor air of pollutants. Formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethyllene . As well living plants add oxygen and humidity which is good for the respiratory system, skin and sinuses.

There are many trends in designing floral arrangements Here are a few.

Simple, sculptural shapes add punch to a room.Four oldies but goodies, the spider plant, philodendron, wandering jew and chrysanthemum do the the best job. Cyclamen, weeping fig, cactus , drachenas, palm and black bamboo can be used effectively alone or in a bunch.

A clean, architectural, refined look Exotic orchids are easy to grow, no dead heading or coddling. The lady look pale green Paphiopediums, intensely perfumed Cattleyas and cool loving Cymbidiums have a long lasting blooming period.

Tall from plants to pots. Framing the front door, either individual or grouped together ornamental grasses , spiral cedars and several tea leaf plants in tall zinc containers . Calla lilies in clear, square vases.

But ,if you feel that these plants look great in the florists yet after months of your tender loving neglect. They shed and drop mites, try silk They have designed silks that are affordable yet with an addition of a clear floral spray looks good year after year.

Any tree, houseplant or flower can reproduced in silk. The quality of the blooms are amazing--- the colours, shapes and texture are true to life. Three trends are strong with the leading one being a natural look with twigs and grasses. The Asian influence is spare and architectural or the tight one flower arrangement of roses or a one flower look. Depending on your room scheme white on white or green on green is in. Look for coppery brown, sepia old world photographic look Popular again -anything in pink and burgundy.yet more muted or grayed. Magnolia leaves mixed with purple hydrangeas, grasses and twigs not massed but in a spare manner can make a corner bright. Anything with glass or beaded pears, apples, pomegranates placed in a burnished copper or pewter container looks like a Rembrandt still life.

Whether you have a green thumb or not creative folk have given us many choices. Take a dull rainy day and wander through any of our local green houses and be inspired-- itis amazing what is out there.

sold second day of open house

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 23:36:02 -0700

Hello Active Rainers , This home sold in the second day of open house . This home just had beds and a kitchen table. An exercise bike held pride of place in the living room. A delightful family to work with --- hope you can open this. I still can't figure out how to just click it and it works

http://www.vopenhouse.ca/Listings/view.php?mls=867_V643667&ct Please copy and paste into address of internet to see the video of the sold home.

Marilynn Currie CSP Inside & Out: Creighton House Staging

a penny saved------

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:51:02 -0700

Hi Active Rainers,

I love this site it has given me much encouragement and ideas and places to shop!

Right now I am working to build my inventory and try to find as much on sale as possible that is trend forward and great quality. We do not have the same retail outlets in Canada as you do in the States --- but there is always the internet. Pier one, Bombay company, etc and etc are all within driving distance now and there are great independent shelter stores in Vancouver area.---- so am shopping and shopping and shopping.

After googling ,I found this info on month to month sale specials on many sites so am passing it on. Retailers put specials on in certain months.

January-

'White' sale items---- bedding, blamkets, towels, televisions and Computers

February

Furniture and housewares, toiletries and fragrances, candles

March

Gardening tools

April

China, wall paper and paint

May

Major appliances and barbecues

June

Hardware and home fix-it tools, televisions and portable music players

July

Air conditioners, craft supplies barbecues and fabric

August

'White' sales, outdoor furniture and school/office supplies and nursery plants: trees and perennials.

September

Homes and housing (homes that must be sold but didn't sell during Spring and Summer. Folk want to trade up or down before the snow blows: bikes and scooters and school/office supplies

October

Cars ( buy that large van )Outdoor sports equipment,camping equipment

November

Blankets and comforters

December

Gift and serving items for display purposes and greeting cards

Shop till you drop now if I just had that unlimited budget-------and the storage for all the goodies.

Gift and serving items and greeting cards

a general air of cat

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:59:02 -0700

hello active rainers

I just destaged a house, full staging--- 3 bedrooms, bedding etc -- decorative pillows, throws etc all covered in cat hair. In the original bid I always include the destaging price--- now everything has to be either drycleaned or professionally washed. What would you guys do --- put it up to experience and never stage a house with a cat or charge her for the drycleaning etc.

It was staged for two months. I never really noticed the cat hair until I started to repack at home, then noticed the cat hair as I had on dark clothing!

What do you do with pets--- dogs cats or what?

Marilynn Currie CSP Abbotsford/Chilliwack B.C.

From the west coast

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Thu, 03 May 2007 12:37:26 -0700

Out here in beautiful B.C. sales have not slowed and prices are still going up. I just staged two homes and they both sold in the first open house one for $6,000 above the asking price and the other an accepted offer at the asking price ($600,000 and above) Needless to say the clients were delighted/. Check out slovacolga.ca click on my listing and click on parana drive and virtual tour. my team and I took six hours to stage this home.

Am also working long distance with a friend who is selling an 80 acre farm and home in Saskatchewan.Prices aren't rising as high there It will list for low $200,000. Pricing is strange for a lot and home in a city is half a million while 80 acres goes for much much less. Strange isn't it?

Slovacolga.ca is the Realtor's site.

This job has to be the best in the world.

Marilynn Currie CSP abbotsford/chilliwack

Now if I could figure out how to download or upload my pictures???

A spoonful of honey----

Marilynn Currie (Staging for Top Dollar Stager 9) — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:20:54 -0700

My mother always told me that 'a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.'

I sure needed her advice to convince the homeowner next door to STAGE her house before she listed it. With stuffed road kill owls hanging from the entrance ceiling, poorly painted maroon walls in the kitchen ,a dark brown tunnel for a hall and a general air of cat , it screamed out for help.

After spending $4500 on painting, new floors and curb appeal the homeowner sold the home for $35, 000 over the first listing price. Now she is telling everyone she knows what STAGING can do. Who would have 'thunk' it? STAGING works!

Fixing up a property before you sell is not really a new concept. Listing Realtors have suggested, this idea for years. But today , buyers with their busy lifestyles expect a higher standard of presentation. If they are spending half a million dollars for a home they demand the illusion of luxury. And the wise home seller gives them what they want.

Obvious needs like removing the clutter, packing personal items and a through cleaning are necessary. But a professional STAGER goes even further by creating trend forward in a dated and drab home. STAGING works like a gardener pulling up the weeds to see the visual details. Remove the old and replace with colour, accessories and on-trend small furniture pieces. Rental furniture can replace worn or large pieces. Skilled tradespeople are part of a STAGERS' arsenal. Inside and out, they landscape, paint ,and lay tile and flooring. Together, they convince that buyer who spends 11 minutes in the home to make that offer at or above the asking price. A sold sign on the lawn and large equity in the homeowners' pocket is the STAGERS' job well done.

Little things make a huge impression as the STAGER trend-forwards the home. Buyers want character and sophistication. These ten trends should be in every STAGER'S inventory.( This information is gathered from personal experience and reasearch in my stacks of shelter magazines!)

*Clear glass lamps,vases , coffee tables, and small mirrors. Packets of small coloured stones.

*Bold area rugs and large bold art especially unframed. The return of wallpaper can be introduced by using wallpaper as art. Wrap it around artists' canvas.

*Introduce the flat screen TV into a family room or den--- faux or otherwise.

*In the master bedroom add a lounge and suggest a bar area if possible.

*While neutral colours dress the walls, add accents of berry , pale green , bronze and pale gold in more traditional homes , while lime green and burnt orange are more contemporary..Brown is the new black and cream is the new white. Black and white, blue and yellow and blue and white are classic. Live (carefully)on the wild side add zebra and/or leopard prints. Small pillows, vases, book covers all add this pop of colour.

*When replacing outdated lighting consider chandeliers --- in the bath, kitchen and bedroom,

*When using rental furniture, visually open up the room by using upholstery with clean, elegant lines or shape.

*When replacing flooring go green --- bamboo, laminate, cork or tile

*For the spa bathroom stacks of luxurious white towels and many white pillar candles.

*Every room should have fresh flowers or living plants.

STAGING has got to be the best job in the world---- you not only transform homes but lives as well.