Last week, I provided a staging makeover with a couple who are both realtors in the Eugene area. They listed their home for sale recently and worked very hard at putting away a lot of their furnishings and decor (similar to the recommendations they provide to their sellers). However, when I came to their home, we identified a number of other things that I strongly recommended changing and editing.

Many agents in this area (since Eugene isn't really a mature staging market) still think that Professional Real Estate Staging is pretty much just cleaning up and decorating. Because of this, there is not a tremendous response when I do workshops about staging in the process of marketing myself locally.

It was really a great opportunity to work directly with these folks in re-staging their own home for sale. My hope is that they will now go back to their office and talk with colleagues about the difference between what they have been doing and what I do. They both acknowledged that my recommendations were a lot more detailed and they think the new RMLS photos will showcase their home in a much more compelling manner.

Here is a visual tour with BEFORE and AFTER photos of their home. The best outcome I can see for this is that they get a sale in the next month or so. I've got fingers crossed!

BEFORE - LIVING ROOM - cool decor, but just too much of it, as well as too much furniture:

AFTER - LIVING ROOM: Less furniture, less decor

BEFORE - DINING ROOM: they had dated chairs at their dining room table which had high, solid backs, acting as partial walls and impeding the view into the back yard. There was also a problem with this room not being sure "WHAT IT WAS". Dining room; family room??

AFTER - DINING ROOM: They had some updated dining chairs in the garage with lower backs. We also removed the TV and updated the decor on the wall above the fireplace. Now there is a much clearer view to their large patio and back yard.

BEFORE - MASTER BEDROOM: This was a small room with some taste-specific decor.

AFTER - MASTER BEDROOM: We removed decor as well as the trunk that had been at the foot of the bed. We also got a photo that accented the outdoor greenery.

BEFORE - MASTER BATH: Too much stuff on counters.

AFTER - MASTER BATH: Removed power cord and misc. "stuff" from the window sill as well as changing out the rug on the floor.

BEFORE - KITCHEN: Dated cabinetry, too much stuff!l

AFTER - KITCHEN: They painted their cabinetry, which was a very inexpensive "fix" that updated the look significantly. Most items were removed from window sills. It's amazing how items placed on a window sill stop the eye from seeing beyond, into the back yard.

BEFORE - GUEST BEDROOM:

AFTER - GUEST BEDROOM: Horizontal shot makes the room look WAY bigger

BEFORE - LAUNDRY ROOM: This space was an afterthought in the BEFORE photo:

AFTER - LAUNDRY ROOM: This was really a great space. Lots of cabinets, large room, light and bright with a pleasant view to the back yard.

Property provided with a Staging Makeover by The Notably Well-Dressed Home. Listing Agents Don and Gwen De-Groote, Keller Williams Real Estate; 541-431-6490.

Wonderful neighborhood, large fenced yard, remodel including carpet, lighting, window covers, landscaping, interior and exterior paint. Office/4th bedroom and utility not included in square footage, buyer verify. Storage/shop and irrigation well (needs new pump). Call for information about FHA 203K loan that allows you to make needed updates after close of escrow. 541-431-6490 or Chase at Wells Fargo 541-221-1070.

Home Staged by The Notably Well-Dressed Home. Listing Agent: Barbara Thomas; 541.736.6886

Enjoy breath-taking panoramic valley and mountain views from your new 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath home. Built in 2006, this pristine 2247 SF home features many upgrades, including hardwood flooring, gas fireplace, granite slab counters, stainless steel appliances, maple cabinetry, and surround sound.

Y

Year Built     2006

Sq Ft     2,247

Bedrooms    3

Bathrooms     2 full, 1 partial

Floors    2

Parking    2 car garage

Lot Size    2,247 sq ft

HOA Dues    $88/year

The formal living room ceiling soars with sky-high windows reaching to the second-story atrium above. The gourmet kitchen sports gas appliances, tile floor, pantry and informal eating area. Beautiful hardwood flooring, gas fireplace and a wall of windows grace the family room.

The enormous master retreat has a private deck overlooking a quiet, wooded hillside. With a large walk-in closet, sitting/exercise area, bath with soaking tub, shower and dual sinks, and “to-die-for” views, you may just never want to leave. The second and third bedrooms are perfect for family, guests or hobbies. And the upper-level alcove works equally well as an additional seating area, office or playroom.

Sliders off both the dining room and family room lead to a patio that runs the entire width of the home. Custom rockwork and pathway leads you up the hillside to a peaceful spot to enjoy southwest hills living.

An extensive front porch, Hardiplank siding, 50-year roof, heat pump, attached 2-car garage and under-home storage complete this amazing home package.

QUIET COUNTRY LIVING just minutes from Eugene. Great family room with amazing rural views from the back of the home. Back yard includes large dog house and bark chip run enclosed by chain link fence. Yard also has garden space as well as a tool shed that doubles as a great kid's playhouse. Perfect for a growing family.

Property Staged by The Notably Well-Dressed Home and offered by Peggy Saleeby / Keller Williams Realty / 541-520-9779

It was interesting to find out recently that two of the agents I work with at REMAX were on a panel at a real estate workshop, along with other agents from different cities in Oregon. When asked why the two of them are actually SELLING in this market, they mentioned my name in front of all of their colleagues who were attending the workshop. They price homes agressively and I Stage professionally so those all-important RMLS photos ROCK!

I have since gotten at least 6 calls from other realtors at the same REMAX office, confirming my assumption that when a realtor recommends a Stager to another realtor, this type of referral gets me WAY more new business than ANY OTHER marketing tactic. Consequently, I have to say that my ongoing business is truly "ALL ABOUT THEM"!!

I always do my best to underpromise and over-deliver to these realtors. They know that I REALLY APPRECIATE their ongoing business, that I LOVE what I do, and that I WORK VERY HARD for them and their homesellers. I KNOW, LIKE and TRUST THEM, and the feeling is evidently mutual, given their ongoing business. I am honored to have achieved this relationship with THEM.

Here is a home that one of those realtors recently called me in for. I was there for 2 hours - we did some quick redesign work (the realtor had already prepped this client, who was very proactive). I was able to get in, do some quick tweaking, get the photos done and get out in one trip. The following weekend, this cute starter home got a full-price offer. I love when that happens and so do my realtor associates - ESPECIALLY in THIS MARKET!

...or maybe it was a child who closed the deal. Take a look at this cute girl's bedroom with chandelier!   ;=)

I just helped a Broker friend with a condo listing and took photos for the RMLS for her as well. The grounds of the property were quite nice with several man-made ponds. As I was walking around one pond to get the best landscape shot possible, I kept hearing a watery ker-plunk. I finally realized that I was scaring the tiny frogs who had been sunning themselves around the bank of the pond.

I waited quietly by a tree and lo and behold, one little guy (or maybe it was a girl) started swimming for the shore, surfaced above the water, and posed, still as a statue, for three shots. Guess this FROG wanted it to be about "THEM"!

The Broker loves the shot and has captioned it something to the effect of "meet one of your many quiet neighbors". I particularly like this Broker because she shares my philosophy that some aspect of staging each home should make a potential buyer smile.

ENJOY!

Quiet parklike setting but the convenience of great shopping and the busline a few steps away. Slider off living room opens onto a patio and a beautiful lawn. Balcony off master bedroom looks out onto the treetops. Good storage, stacked washer and dryer and refrigerator included. Wood burning fireplace. Low HOA dues of only $120 per month.

Property Staged by The Notably Well-Dressed Home and offered by Peggy Saleeby / Keller Williams Realty / 541-520-9779

Mature and well-maintained landscaping throughout this condo community:

Living room leads to back patio and shared greenbelt:

Kitchen with eating bar for two:

Master bedroom:

Master bedroom includes niche for reading as well as enclosed deck:

Second bedroom with built-in bookshelves:

More photos of beautifully landscaped grounds:

This custom-built home in SE Eugene is full of warmth and ambiance. Tile counters, wood floors, huge vaults. Large kitchen with tons of storage and full pantry. Wood-cased double pane windows. This is a home you can fall in love with. Good square footage and an amazing back yard with mature landscaping, old growth douglas fir, gazebo and wrap-around trex decking.

Staging Redesign consultation provided by The Notably Well-Dressed Home and executed by sellers.

Listed by Colin Call, RE/MAX Integrity.

LARGE LIVING ROOM with vintage features:

Snuggle up next to the FIREPLACE and read a good book:

Plenty of space for entertaining in the DINETTE/KITCHEN:

Wake up in your MASTER SUITE to a parklike setting in your back yard:

MASTER BATH:

UPSTAIRS BEDROOM:

UPSTAIRS OFFICE (optional 3rd bedroom):

UPSTAIRS HALL BATH:

SOME ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Leaded glass chandelier in entry

Bookshelf storage in hallway:

And now, enjoy a tour of the park-like grounds in the BACK YARD:

If you or someone you know is interested in this property in the FOX HOLLOW neighborhood of Eugene, please have them call Colin Call at 541-302-4882.

UPDATE - CLOSING AUGUST 24th!

Ever walk into a home and fall in love? I did!

The 2-seat diner in the kitchen is what pushed me over the edge. Even with the Challenging (with a CAPITAL "C") paint choices that someone had selected at one point, I could see this home's potential, and got direction from the black/white/red color palette in this room . (Note the red seat pads stacked together).

The realtor and homeowner agreed to have the entire home painted, which freshened it up dramatically. This was a welcome change because it had been a rental property for college students for a number of years. As most of us remember from our college days, we could be pretty rough on those rental spaces "back in the day", before we owned property ourselves.

The Notably Well-Dressed Home was eventually selected to Stage this property, and I was delighted! Here are a few more BEFORE & AFTER shots. If you would like to see the entire home, click to view the LISTING INFORMATION!

The LIVING ROOM has great architectural features:

The MASTER BEDROOM is quite large, with plenty of room for furniture and a seating area:

The upstairs has more interesting architectural features and makes a cute one bedroom apartment with kitchenette, bath and seating area:

Looking for ideas to prepare your Eugene Oregon home for sale in this tough market? The Notably Well-Dressed Home can harmonize the appearance of your home to appeal to your target market and sell more quickly. Call us for a complimentary pricing proposal at 541-345-0432.

UPDATE - CLOSING AUGUST 24th!

Charming home near University of Oregon with hardwood floors, coved ceilings, arched doorways updated baths and kitchen. Upper level can be separate living area. Dry basement with media area, 2 bedrooms and bath, 2 car garage.

This vintage home has many delightful features and can be used as a primary residence along with 2 rental spaces: one on the top floor (one-bedroom) and a second (two bedrooms) in the basement. Kitchen features black and white marble flooring plus black and white tile with sunlit, diner-type eating space for two, as well as formal dining room.

For more information, please click listing

OUTSIDE:

MAIN FLOOR:

SECOND BEDROOM ON MAIN FLOOR:

UPSTAIRS (Separate entry up back stairs. Could be used as rental unit):

UNFINISHED BASEMENT (Could be separate 2-bedroom apartment with living area and bath - needs finish work)

Looking for ideas to prepare your Eugene Oregon home for sale in this tough market? The Notably Well-Dressed Home can harmonize the appearance of your home to appeal to your target market and sell more quickly. Call us for a complimentary pricing proposal at 541-345-0432.