Paula's Blog

English Cottage style Condo on the Park in Forest Heights, $350,000 at 2310 NW Edgewood Drive Portland, OR 97229

2008-10-16T22:09:18Z

Forest in the rear, common green in the front! Steps to the Village Center, parks and trails.

** MLS# 8099350 ** Contact Pamela Monheimer ** 503-970-8666** Prudential NW Properties **

English Cottage style home in Mint condition! Charming free-standing 1464 s.f. condo with shake roof has $20K in upgrades and fresh paint. Better than new with granite counters, brazilian cherry floors and staircase, carpets upstairs, gas fireplace with gorgeous wood surround and mantle. Kitchen opens to dining area with big view of trees galore! Gas appliances. Master has two closets, one is daylit. Second bedroom with private bath ! Den/office overlooks the forest. Large utility room has new $3000+ built-ins and cheery blue&white tile floor. Private deck in the sun. Very desirable home in a very desirable neighborhood.

** MLS# 8099350 ** Contact Pamela Monheimer ** 503-970-8666** Prudential NW Properties **

Accredited Home Stager Paula Springer and the Key Elements Staging Crew partnered with the broker and seller to prepare this property for sale. Leveraging existing features and benefits with cost effective enhancements, we specialize in consultations for sellers of all kinds, whether in occupied listings or vacant properties. Where is your WOW factor? Count on our experience and creativity to find it and show it off so everyone falls in love with it.

KEY ELEMENTS INC. STAGING OVER 850 HOMES SINCE 2001
COACHING SELLERS * RENTAL FURNISHINGS * COLOR CONSULTING
RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS INTERIORS * WINDOW COVERINGS

CALL PORTLAND’S PIONEER IN STAGING FOR A FREE QUOTE
503-515-4427

Close-in Colonial Heights Bungalow $518,000 at 2442 SE Sherman, Portland, OR

2008-10-02T13:16:31Z

Close-in Colonial Heights Bungalow $518,000 at 2442 SE Sherman, Portland, OR
Walk score is 88 ! … A very walkable -and very desirable- neighborhood !!

** MLS# 8095147 ** Contact Donna Peters &/or Candy Carr ** 503-416-7642 or 238-1700** Meadows Group Inc., Realtors. **

Charming 1914 home with easy access to a full array of shops and cafes on Hawthorne / Division Streets. 2410 s.f. 3+ bedroom home with 2 full baths features gorgeous bungalow detailing, sturdy oak and fir floors, fireplace with wide mantle, period fixtures, pocket doors, granite countertops, terracotta tile, built-in library, Craftsman staircase. Floorplan has great circular flow throughout the main level with the large living room area opening to formal dining area and flowing to the library and back to the front door. Kitchen with sunny breakfast area accesses mudroom, back door and stairs to lower level bonus room/ full bath (possible 4th bedroom). On the second floor, see the fireworks from 2 out of three bedrooms. Master has walk-in closet and view of the city. Great wallcolors throughout…many rooms freshly painted. Outside, enjoy new landscaping from the backyard deck...many flowering plants and trees in front and back yard. A gardener’s delight with garage. Dishwasher, refridgerator, gas range included. See Virtual Tour at http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?SK=13&T=1688271

** MLS# 8095147 ** Contact Donna Peters &/or Candy Carr ** 503-416-7642 or 238-1700** Meadows Group Inc., Realtors. **

Accredited Home Stager Paula Springer and the Key Elements Staging Crew partnered with the broker and seller to prepare this property for sale. Leveraging existing features and benefits with cost effective enhancements, we specialize in consultations for sellers of all kinds, whether in occupied listings or vacant properties. Where is your WOW factor? Count on our experience and creativity to find it and show it off so everyone falls in love with it.

www.keyelements.net

KEY ELEMENTS INC. STAGING OVER 850 HOMES SINCE 2001
COACHING SELLERS * RENTAL FURNISHINGS * COLOR CONSULTING
RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS INTERIORS * WINDOW COVERINGS

CALL PORTLAND’S PIONEER IN STAGING FOR A FREE QUOTE at 503-515-4427

Urban Living! Contemporary Townhouse @ 1633 NE Clackamas, Portland, OR $329,900

2008-09-22T19:22:24Z

A walk score of 83 means CONVENIENT in a big way!

SOLD AFTER ONLY 9 DAYS ON THE MARKET!!!!

Upscale urban living within this close-in 3-story townhome with NO HOA fees. Incredible natural light through large windows falls upon lush carpet and gorgeous hardwood floors throughOUt this contemporary design. The functional open floor plan includes 2 beds and 2 1/2 baths. Master bedroom has walk-in closet, French doors open to balcony, high ceilings and double vanity in the master bath. For those with green living in mind the home is not only efficient, but also allows for a convenient walk to the NE Broadway shops, restaurants, Max line, and Lloyd Center, or travel just minutes to downtown, I-5 and I-84. Don’t miss the private back patio area for BBQs or a possible outdoor spa. The home also has a attached garage, which could make for great additional living space.

** MLS# 8091325 ** Contact Jeff Capen ** 503-888-5191 ** Remax Equity Group, inc. **

** MLS# 8091325 ** Contact Jeff Capen ** 503-888-5191 ** Remax Equity Group, inc. **

Accredited Home Stager Paula Springer and the Key Elements Staging Crew partnered with the broker and seller to prepare this property for sale. Leveraging existing features and benefits with cost effective enhancements, we specialize in consultations for sellers of all kinds, whether in occupied listings or vacant properties. Where is your WOW factor? Count on our experience and creativity to find it and show it off so everyone buys it.

KEY ELEMENTS INC. STAGING OVER 800 HOMES SINCE 2001
COACHING SELLERS * RENTAL FURNISHINGS * COLOR CONSULTING
RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS INTERIORS * WINDOW COVERINGS

CALL PORTLAND’S PIONEER IN STAGING FOR A FREE QUOTE
503-515-4427

CLASSIC RANCH HOME @ 3424 SW Hamilton Court, Portland, OR lists at $572,500

2008-09-20T21:17:27Z

3424 SW Hamilton Court, Portland, OR
IMPECCABLE CLASSIC RANCH HOME
*** BRIDLEMILE AREA ***

This classic 4 BR 3 BA daylight ranch home sits pretty on the landscape in a serene cul de sac. Maintained to perfection inside and out. Pure quality! Original red oak hardwood floors discovered under carpet had been preserved for 40 years in new condition. Wow! Terrific floor plan. Great kitchen counterspace under skylights and cozy woodstove adjoins as you exit to rear covered deck. Big fun family room with full bar and fireplace - pool table stays! Large laundry/craft room and huge workshop/studio. Beautiful well-maintined grounds. 2008 exterior and interior paint, luxurious brand new wool carpet in master bedroom. 2005 water heater,1991 25-year roof, 1999 deck, new gas hot water heater… There's so much more! Come see ! Ready to move-in and move ON!

** MLS# 8084609 ** Contact Cindy Ludwig ** 503-422-5186 ** Coldwell Banker BSSP **
Living room as seen from dining area

** MLS# 8084609 ** Contact Cindy Ludwig ** 503-422-5186 ** Coldwell Banker BSSP **

Accredited Home Stager Paula Springer and the Key Elements Staging Crew worked with the broker and seller to prepare this property for sale. Leveraging existing features and benefits with cost effective enhancements, we specialize in consultations for sellers of all kinds, whether in occupied listings or vacant properties. Where is your WOW factor? Count on our experience and creativity to find it and show it off so everyone falls for it.

KEY ELEMENTS INC. STAGING OVER 800 HOMES SINCE 2001
COACHING SELLERS * RENTAL FURNISHINGS * COLOR CONSULTING
RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS INTERIORS * WINDOW COVERINGS

CALL PORTLAND’S PIONEER IN STAGING FOR A FREE QUOTE
503-515-4427

New Best Friends and Deep Staging

2008-01-07T00:02:39Z

Oregon Realtor Todd Clarke and I have never met, but through AR he has shown me the way to a fabulous new marketing vehicle I think is my new best friend...or is Todd my new best friend for showing it to me? Hmmmm...Anyway, I want to share with you. Perhaps you are already familiar with what can be done with Photobucket Slideshows (have you seen Todd's fabulous show of old timey barns on his profile page?) So if you already know Photobucket, then hopefully you’d be curious about the staging we do here at Key Elements. Here’s our newest marketing tool….

The house you see here is currently on the market for $539,000.00 and contains an all new collection of furniture, plus we consulted on just about everything there was to decide on for this project…exterior color, interior color, flooring, carpet, tile, granite, lighting, deck material, room addition plans and more! It was a complete fixer, so I know you know what the “before” shots looked like! Kitchens and baths were gutted and reconfigured and all the wallpaper had to go! We call this our Complete Staging Concept, or sometimes I will call it Deep Staging for the fun of coining a term. So anyway I am working on a number of presentations with Photobucket and am so thrilled with the many uses of this web based photo service, of which there are more than I know. Check it out at www.photobucket.com. NOTES ADDED ON 1/13/08 Here is a sidenote I believe will be of interest... All of those familiar with the project who were shown the slideshow, including the contractor, realtor and me, had no issues with the speed of the show. We were used to seeing those images. Familiars. But almost all of those below new to the project wanted more time to soak up the details. Doesn't this illustrate why home sellers need stagers? Homesellers' familiarity with their homes creates the need for stagers to help focus the buyer so they too can soak up the details!

REPLACING THE STAGE-MOBILE

2007-07-15T13:00:14Z

I am absolutely amazed that I have grown my staging business as far as I have owning a Volkswagon Jetta. The commercials ARE right showing how much cargo can fit into the little bugger. It is so funny to hear what people think when I pull up and pop out two six foot trees and several big plastic bins of accessories, plus a cart of tools, a steamer, an aluminum ladder and whatever floral things grace the rear window.

Thus far, I achieve the necessary expanded ‘corporate fleet’ with cargo van and box truck rentals. Have not as yet been able to justify financially the purchase of our own cargo vehicle, but that day will soon come. Meanwhile, it is time to replace my everyday company-owned Jetta with a more appropos staging vehicle. I consider myself to lead a green lifestyle, and cannot imagine using a van or SUV for daily running with as little fuel economy they offer, though bio-diesel capabilities would make a van/SUV viable for me.

So today I begin the search for the perfect new stage-mobile, with maximal storage capacity AND good gas mileage. Maybe I can work in the bio-diesel. Initial research shows the Scion xB getting better ratings on Consumer Reports than Honda Element, with $5K less price. Scion starts at $17K. Thinking larger, I undertand the Dodge Sprinter, made by DaimlerChrysler, is offered as diesel in the European markets, which would be the bio-diesel choice, however, they are priced nearer to $35K and maybe more for the diesel.

There must be many other choices and ideas waiting to emerge. Would anyone care to join in a discussion of staging vehicles with me?

MOOD ENHANCERS IN A WHITE WORLD

2007-06-09T21:36:00Z

MOOD ENHANCERS IN A WHITE WORLD

So its white white white and Mr. & Mrs. Sellers say they won’t paint a thing? Add sizzle with décor and art in warm monochromatic color schemes that use three colors directly next to each on the on the color wheel – in this case yellow, yellow-orange and orange for a summer sale. Add interest with some “eyeliner”, meaning espresso browns and blacks. The mood is a united feeling of warmth and joy. Continue into the master bath with color splashes in the same vein, with a not-so-subtle reference to the sun, and the Pacific Northwest feels like sunny California!

My painting is what I call a COLOR FIELD painting. I used two tubes of acrylic paint, one yellow and the other orange-yellow. For the first coat, I used a mini sponge roller that comes with a tray and watered down the paint for a wash effect. The second color, orange-yellow, was applied while the first was still wet, but not thinned out so the end result has a bit of depth. Next, a spiral motion with a 2” angle brush, a finally use the other end of the brush (that’s right, the handle!) in a spiral motion that SCRAPES through all layers of paint. Here you see the largest of a collection of the yellow paintings in graduated sizes. Hung alone or together as a collection, they have an enormous welcome and warming effect for little more than the cost of a canvas, which is about $50 for the large size.

By the way, the poster bed, dresser, sofa and dining table were provided by the client, with all other items added in our staging package. Other touches throughout the small condo keep the same tone and feeling for a memorable experience in a modestly priced complex. We were somewhat challenged by the existing furniture, and opted to purchase the honey-colored Asian-style coffee and end tables from Pier 1 to pull off the living room, which is in the same room as the dining room where the blond maple table sits.

So about the white now, once again I have made it apparent to the realtor (who paid for the staging and has not introduced me to the seller) that painting some walls would be very VERY VERRRRY effective in getting this condo some attention. It has been nearly 30 days on the market...can you believe it? I plan to approach the realtor this coming week to propose some painting!!!

Stay Tuned for more MOOD ENHANCERS IN A WHITE WORLD.

Best Bang for the Buck?

2007-05-31T14:54:34Z

Paint Exterior or Replace Blue Carpeting?

Languishing on the market, the vacant home has been staged with minimalist vignettes and I have recommended any budget go toward changing the worn and dated blue carpeting on main floor and second floor. Instead, 3 months after the vignetting was installed, the seller has chosen an exterior paint job on a house that only marginally needs it in a neighborhood where color on the outside is only somewhat of an issue.

Just for the record, a quick show of hands please from the staging community on which is the most effective use of the budget:

THE WORN, DATED BLUE CARPET

THE EXTERIOR PAINT JOB

And why not keep an eye on this one? I will report back in a couple weeks to see if the exterior paint has turned the tide for this house!

VACANT STAGING INSURANCE MYSTERIES

2007-04-15T21:03:13Z

Let's talk about insurance for rented furniture that sits in a property for sale.

In the state of Oregon, stager's insurance is not adequately covering a serious source of potential loss. We can buy coverage for everything but THEFT BY MYSTERIOUS ENTRY. That means if there are no signs of a break-in, there is no coverage. So we've lost some things over the years, a couple of substantial hits, and have taken a few precautions to limit our exposure to more losses.

Homeowners who have moved out cannot or won't get coverage because if there is a claim, they can have a problem getting covered in their new home. The insurance industry needs to help us by offering increased coverage for stagers at a reasonable cost.

Has anybody got any ways around taking such risk? We have taken the following precautions to do business in this climate:

1.   Just say NO when you are not comfortable with the circumstances. This could be about the neighborhood, the seller, the realtor. Trust your intuition.
2.   Write into your contract that all lockboxes and keys other than those in the Realtor lock box must be removed the day the stagers move in. Find out if family members or neighbors have keys too and politely request they be rounded up if not already.
a.   Require that all contractor work be done before move-in, not only to reduce risk, but to keep drywall dust off your duds. That way, the contractor lockbox can be removed.
3.   Photograph everything before you leave the day you move in, and every day you are working on the project up until showtime.
4.   Never leave your toolkit on the job site.
5.   Make an inventory of each item in the final staging, either from the photos, or from the final walk through.
6.   Personally check all window locks to be sure they work.
7.   Schedule a return to check on it. Look again at the window locks at that time.

Once pretty early in my staging career, I was really desperate to earn income on my staging props. So here comes an opportunity, a model in a townhouse complex. The neighborhood was sketchy, and so I explained the potential for losses if someone were to leave a door unlocked and return thieve and pillage. I was ready to say no to the job, but the seller was insistent on staging and we came up with a 3-way Warranty. We listed and valued every piece of décor, and added a contract addendum where three parties (Seller, Realtor, and my company) all agreed to split any potential losses.) Good thing we did, as $4300.00 of props were taken. Unbelievebly, one of the partners in the townhouse complex had left the garage door unlocked because I we asked that no key be left under the mat!!! In the end, I was paid 2/3 of the value, and had to figure I had derived value greater than 1/3 already with all the use I had gotten from it.

I really don’t suggest being in a position to use the 3-way Warranty. I really don’t like the risk that I take without it. Even in a “good” neighborhood, rugs and artwork have been taken without forced entry.

Lately, my marketing is focused on higher-end jobs to reduce risk. I love security buildings, but I still do not want to leave out a significant slice of the market, so we stage onward and hope for solutions.

What is it like for the rest of you? Does your state cover MYSTERIOUS LOSS? How can stagers in risky states approach the insurance industry for increased coverage?