Vancouver Home Staging Blog by Reveal Estate

Reflecting on Home Staging

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:31:44 -0500

As I have not had much time to blog about our recent transformations, I thought I would take a different angle and post some shots of mirrors we have placed in properties for sale. First, I would like to mention a few points regarding the use of mirrors when selling (and living in) your home.

Mirrors visually expand interiors, create depth and can bounce light into a room.

A well positioned mirror reflects an attractive point of view upon entering a room.

Often people hang mirrors for the sole purpose of catching sight of themselves and do not take full advantage of the benefits a strategically placed mirror provides.

When viewing properties I frequently encounter 4 problems with the placement of mirrors.

1. They reflect an unappealing area or view.

Consider this mirror hung in the entrance of a home. I'm sure it was handy for checking your appearance before heading out the door but people don't want to see the reflection of a bathroom as they enter a home.

2. They are placed too high on the wall.

For some reason, most people hang artwork too high as well. I have never understood this.

3. They reflect a bare wall.

This is particularly common in bathrooms. Usually there is a large mirror above the vanity. By hanging artwork on the opposite wall, you can increase the visual depth of the room as shown here.

4. They are positioned directly across the room from a window.

Doing this reflects light and energy (a.k.a. chi) back out the window and not into the room. Instead hang mirrors on the wall adjacent to a window.

And now some more mirror shots ...

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company with lots of mirrors and furnishings to show your home at its best.

Visions in Red - Home Staging in Vancouver

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:51 -0500

Visions in Red Blog Red is often a favorite color choice for home stagers due to it's powerful ability to direct the eye. Successful stagers know how to incorporate red artwork and accessories to capture buyers attention without overwhelming a space. There is a fine line between highlighting the features of a room and creating a chaotic look by incorporating too many red accents.

Consider 2 vacant living rooms my company recently staged using strategically placed red accents to draw the eye and enhance the focal points.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

What would home staging expert Kathy Nielsen do?

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:54:04 -0500

I took note of the superb staging skills of Kathy Nielsen, owner of Georgia Interior Solutions, when I first got into the staging business nearly 2 years ago. Kathy stages a great deal of beautiful houses and many of them are traditional in design.

Here in Vancouver, our select service area consists primarily of downtown condos so we don't get the opportunity to stage an actual house very often. While selecting inventory and putting together a color story for the house we staged today, I asked myself "What would Kathy do?" Feeling inspired by her work, this was the result...

Kathy, if you're reading this, did I come close?

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

Yes We "CAN" - Home Staging in Vancouver

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:46:17 -0500

If you are preparing to sell your property, be sure to create a look buyers desire. Dated fixtures can be a deal breaker, especially in the bathroom. It pays to spend money when preparing the "can" for sale.

Potential buyers will pay a premium for a bathroom that is fresh, clean and rejuvenated.

Consider this bathroom recently staged by Reveal Estate.

Although clean, the homeowner new that this room was dated and called on us for help. We selected a new paint color, sourced new tiles and fixtures, and provided a company to resurface the tub.

If it wasn't for the cabinet above the vanity and the window, you would never know this is the same room.

Have a look...

Now this bathroom "can" welcome potential buyers.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

Vancouver Home Stager throws a punch...

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:58:14 -0500

...of color into a bathroom.

Here is an interesting bathroom. Although cold feeling, I generally liked it when I first saw it. The fixtures were modern and even though the green wall isn't my favorite shade, I appreciated how it played off the polished concrete floor.

Painting this room a warmer color was not an option. Also the wall that is white is covered with plexi-glass so hanging artwork was restricted to the green wall.

What accent color(s) would you have used to present this room for sale?

Scroll down to see the Reveal Estate solution...

Did you think of orange?

I felt it important to match the intensity of the green with another strong, warm, complimentary color. I also wanted to pull some of the gray of the concrete floor color up onto the wall with artwork. Because the orange is intense (like red), it directs the eye. I used orange accents only in the area shown to keep the eye focused. This created a cohesive look that buyers desire.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in beautiful, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Please view our portfolio for more examples of our work.

What A Difference A Day Makes - A Vancouver Home Staging Transformation

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:01:05 -0600

During our initial consultation, a recent Reveal Estate client realized she needed our help to prepare her home for sale. Budget was a concern and the property was being listed as a one bedroom and den within a week. Our team enjoys a staging challenge and I looked forward to the opportunity to help her move forward with a sale.

A few days later she left for work in the morning with her condo looking like this...

Later that morning, we arrived on the scene with a desk, chair, artwork, greenery and a few accessories. We edited and reconfigured the furnishings and draperies. Adding some coordinating artwork, plants and accessories helped create a "move in ready" look.

When the homeowner arrived home from work, this is what she saw when she opened the door. She was in shock, thrilled but in shock!

Now potential buyers can clearly see the functionality and features of this property.

Don't leave equity on the table, consult a professional home stager and maximize your selling price!

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Vancouver buyers look down on home staging...

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:16:45 -0600

... when they view this property.

They see that a room that is 10 feet wide and 16 feet long can function as both living room and a dining area.

Have another look...

Appropriately scaled furniture and the strategic placement of artwork help create dimension and flow.

Reveal Estate is a full service Home Staging company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Need your small space staged? Contact us!

Yes Marci...I staged ANOTHER bathroom in brown!

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:56:32 -0600

When I was staging this bathroom yesterday I was chuckling to myself and thinking of Marci Toliver. Marci and a few other stagers (you know who you are) used to tease me about staging every bathroom with brown towels, shower curtains and accessories. It was all in good fun and I didn't mind one bit. Back then there weren't many of us here and getting even a few comments on a blog was a big deal.

For the record I have only staged 11 bathrooms with a brown palette. I have managed to diversify my "lou" portfolio with different blues and greens but I have to admit that I still love a gender neutral, brown bathroom.

So Marci, my sweet tea drinkin, Sister from the South, this one is especially for you...

Many of my fellow stagers on AR also know that I use bars of soap in all of the bathrooms I stage. I was thrilled to find little square soaps wrapped in brown paper! Marci shall I send you some?

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

S.I.F. is coming to Vancouver!

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:32:24 -0600

Joelle Green of Joelle & Company Designs and Jackson West of Reveal Estate will be facilitating the Stage It Forward Round Table on February 27 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Vancouver, British Columbia.

If you are a stager in the greater Vancouver area you will not want to miss this event. It is open to all professional stagers regardless of affiliation or training and is free to attend.

We will be discussing and brainstorming ways to promote and advance the home staging industry as well as some of the challenges unique to our demographic. This will be a great opportunity to meet your fellow stagers and network with each other.

If you haven't already received an invitation to this event please email Joelle at joelle@joelleandcompany.com

We look forward to meeting you!

Home Staging for Occupied Properties - a mathematical perspective.

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:24:57 -0600

A fraction of the many transformations by Reveal Estate Home Staging have been of owner occupied properties. Lately however, projects have been more equally divided between vacant and occupied listings. Several factors are increasing our business of merchandising lived in properties. Perhaps the largest factor is increased awareness. The home staging industry is gaining credibility at an exponential rate.

Homeowners are realizing that...

They do not have the time, inclination and knowledge required to prepare their residence for sale.

It is difficult to take the angle of a potential buyer and objectively evaluate your own home.

Adding a qualified home stager into the Real Estate equation pays dividends to the home seller by instantly increasing equity. It is all about plus and minus. Let me show you what I mean...

In the properties featured below, we subtracted excess furniture and personal items while adding strategically placed art, mirrors and accessories. Reconfiguring, editing and supplementing what the homeowners already had proved to be a great formula for multiple offers.

Before Staging:

Staged by Reveal Estate:

Before Staging:

Staged by Reveal Estate:

Savvy home sellers do the math.

Don’t leave equity on the table... consider having your listing professionally staged.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Please view our portfolio for more examples of property merchandising.

Master "Sweet" - A home staging transformation.

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:10:23 -0500

The master bedroom is an important selling feature in any property. Even in a hot real estate market like we are experiencing in Vancouver, a poorly presented listing will simply not sell. Consider this master bedroom. It has an ensuite bathroom, large closet, room for seating and ample windows. Buyers love such features but after languishing on the market for months it became apparent that this property needed help with presentation. The Reveal Estate team was called in to help.

The room lacked a focal point and the furniture arrangement impeded flow. Hanging the drapery too high and placing the dresser in front of the windows made them appear smaller. The ensuite bathroom was dated and unappealing. Potential buyers could not envision this space as the functional, restful retreat it could be. The solution was simple and I think you will agree, highly effective...

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Please view our portfolio for more examples of property merchandising.

Blah Turned Spa - a home staging transformation

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:00:35 -0500

Consider this typical 1980's bathroom. Although large, clean and functional the overall appearance is dated and rather sterile. Can you imagine relaxing in that tub? With the door left open attention is centered around the bidet, leaving buyers with a less than desirable impression.

With a small investment in accessories, the dated design is downplayed and the functionality of this space is highlighted. New life is breathed into the room by adding plants, complimentary prints, and coordinating linens.

Candles, soap and extra towels provide the finishing touch and help buyers imagine a soothing escape.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, B.C.

Like Night and Day - a home staging transformation

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 07:56:25 -0500

One of my favorite aspects of my work as a home stager is revealing the finished product to the client. I enjoy seeing their widened eyes and the suprised looks on their faces. One of my clients this summer commented that the before and after photos on our website were "like night and day". So in an attempt to jump back into the blogosphere I wanted to share with you one of our recent transformations. To date this property has been one of my favorites. My intent with this after photo was to capture the amazing view of the city skyline across the bay during dusk. I think you will agree the change in this room is literally like ...

Night

and.....

Day

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, BC.

Traditional Is Conditional - Home Staging Furniture

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 05:49:07 -0500

I was inspired to write this blog by fellow stager Eva Rivera, after she kindly commented on the use of modern furniture in our recent projects. Some of you have been wondering if we ever use traditional furniture, to date we have not. Doing so would appeal to fewer potential buyers and limit the opportunity for maximizing the selling price. Keep in mind that we are located in a large urban metropolis and you can't swing a tape measure without hitting a modern building. Occasionally we do get the opportunity to stage more traditional homes.

Unless targeting a specific demographic, using transitional furniture is key when merchandising property. By transitional I mean neither contemporary nor traditional, but rather somewhere in between. While homes may be traditional in design the furnishings should be pleasing to both young and more mature buyers. This is the simplest and most effective way to create mass appeal.

Consider these shots of older, vacant homes from our portfolio using what I consider to be transitional pieces. Adding a hint of bold fabric or interesting furniture placement provided the edge needed to make these properties stand out and linger in the minds of a wide range of buyers.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Home Staging for Vancouver's Smallest Foyer

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:38:41 -0500

Well it may not be the smallest foyer in the city but it is definitely tiny at only 3 feet wide. Home stagers know that the first impression after stepping through the entryway can make or break a sale.

Here is what buyers would have seen after opening the front door had the owners not staged the listing. What would you have done with this area?...

Pictured below is the Reveal Estate solution.

This condo received 7 offers within 2 days of being staged and now the bidding war is on!

Update: The final selling price was exactly $30,000 above the asking price. That is a increase of $58.82 per square foot!

Home Staging - Beating Clutter Black and Blue

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:14:40 -0500

Did you know that many of your possessions have an appetite? It's true. If you are selling your current home, I must warn you that your dryer may start eating your socks and clutter will definitely eat your equity!

The experts at Reveal Estate Home Staging don't know much about dryers or socks but they do know about property merchandising. The following is an example of how they recently beat the clutter... black and blue!

Going Against The Green - Home Staging Transformation.

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:46:46 -0500

This condo had just been painted and was ready to be staged according to the owner when I spoke with him on the phone. Imagine his surprise when I told him the new paint job was in vain.

What was this...

Became this...

This condo received multiple offers 2 days after being staged, and sold for well above the asking price.

More of the transformation...

Selecting a neutral color scheme is essential if your want your property to appeal to the largest range of potential buyers.

Reveal Estate is a full service home staging company located in Vancouver, BC.

To view more room transformations view our online portfolio.

Proper Scale Helps Secure the Sale - A Home Staging Transformation

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 11:01:00 -0500

Successful home stagers know that scale and proportion are crucial factors to consider when merchandising property.

Being located in downtown Vancouver has provided Reveal Estate with the opportunity to stage several small properties. That is if you consider less than 700 square feet small. These listings often have challenging floor plans, adding to the difficulty of effective presentation.

When selling a property perhaps the smallest rooms benefit the most from correctly scaled furnishings. Please consider the room pictured below. Counting the 12 inch floor tiles will put the size of this room into perspective.

According to the floor plan and listing description, this space is a “home office”. Most potential buyers would not be able to imagine the functionality of such limited space if it were left vacant. Can you?

Scroll down to see the transformation...

Still not convinced? These savvy home stagers provide excellent visual examples of small rooms and the necessity for proportion. View this kitchen staged by Kathy Neilsen, and this space staged by Lisa Kauffman Tharp

For more on the principles of scale check out this informative article by Dane Caldwell of 2 hounds design

Minimal Investment Can Maximize Appeal - Home Staging on a Budget

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Tue, 08 May 2007 07:05:37 -0500

Last week I took a call from a client who needed our services. I was just about to tell her it would be in the range of $2000.00 when she mentioned her budget was $500.00. Normally I refer those with smaller budgets to other stagers but this time I agreed to view the property. On the way, I remember thinking "500 bucks, pffft what is the point?!" My attitude immediately changed after meeting the enthusiastic homeowner and I decided to take on the challenge; not only to help the client, but to prove that even a small investment in staging can make a remarkable difference.

I explained to the client that with her limited budget, we would be unable to provide any furniture or accessory rental. However if she paid for a few accessories of my choice and allowed me an hour to stage the property, I could greatly enhance the appeal. She wrote me a cheque for $500.00, handed me a set of keys and I was on my way. The next day after some minimal shopping and an hour of staging, the job was finished.

Did I prove my point?

You be the judge...

Before: After:

The client was very pleased with the results and now has some new accessories to use in her next home.

The Staging of a Lily Pad

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:39:01 -0500

Spring has been very busy for us here at Reveal Estate. As a result I have been able to pick and choose which contracts my staging company commits to. I recently accepted a job just outside of our usual service area. I did this for a few reasons. Primarily because it was located in a brand new, trendy development with plenty of other vacant listings and I knew that Wendy Casey of A-List Home Staging & Décor, was willing to lend a hand and some of her quality inventory.

To date this has been one of my favorite staging projects. It is amazing what can happen when 2 stagers get together to blend inventory and creativity. The entire theme for this project was inspired by this piece of artwork provided by Wendy.

The furniture was delivered in the morning and then we began hauling way too many accessories, mirrors and pieces of art up 27 floors. We felt like kids on Christmas morning while unwrapping everything and then deciding which key pieces to use. Wendy and I share many of the same design philosophies when merchandising homes. We agree that over accessorizing can kill equity; after all, effective staging shows off the property not the contents. Color, scale, and furniture placement are also of the utmost importance.

I give all of the staging projects nicknames rather than trying to remember countless addresses. While standing back once everything was strategically placed for a final look, I turned to Wendy and asked her what we could call “this one”. Without hesitation, she exclaimed “the lily pad”!

Here are some before and after photos of the “lily pad”:

3 STAGERS - 2 PROVINCES - 1 LISTING

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:49:26 -0500

The staging of an occupied property in Vancouver

Jackson West of Reveal Estate recently had the pleasure of working with Andrea Foxman from Home Ingredients and Cheryl -Anne Priest of Inviting Spaces. Andrea and Jackson currently operate home staging businesses in the Vancouver market. To complete the team, Cheryl-Ann, a home stager from Calgary was enlisted.

Even the most seasoned of stagers know that it takes substantial effort to merchandise an occupied home in its entirety. Never mind in a matter of hours. Having faced such demands in the past, the trio knew what had to be done and wasted no time putting their talents to work. Experience has taught these CSP’s™ that in order to take on a project of this scope, organization and planning are crucial. To add to the challenge no additional furniture or accessories were brought in; making the investment in staging even more cost effective for the home seller.

The crew began the staging challenge by repositioning the largest pieces of furniture first. Doing this created a needed sense of flow throughout the property. It also helped define the functionality of each room. Most of the existing artwork was then removed from the walls and organized by color and scale. After thoughtful consideration they relocated the pieces. This allowed them to enhance the homes structural focal points, and especially in the case of the master bedroom, create increased charm. Andrea, Cheryl-Anne and Jackson know that creating appealing interior spaces makes buyers linger, and helps them to imagine living the depicted lifestyle.

Once the furniture and artwork placement was completed, the team finished dressing the property. By paying attention to detail while editing the home owner’s possessions they were careful not to display too many accessories. Doing so allows potential buyers to see the property details instead of focusing on the contents.

Pictured here are some before and after examples of this amazing, one day transformation.

Before: After:

The Grizzly Facts about Bare Rooms

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 13:14:54 -0500

The grizzly facts about bare rooms - observations of a wild Home Stager

By Jackson West

As a home stager, I secretly growl with frustration when I encounter vacant homes sitting on the market. Many of these listings lie dormant for extended and unnecessary lengths of time. Top Realtors and leading builders agree that selling an empty home is much more difficult than selling one that is furnished. Due to popular home design shows on television, today’s buyer has higher standards and wants a home that is "move in" ready. This has contributed to the success and popularity of home staging in recent years.

For most people the decision to buy a home is complex and is often based upon untamed emotion. Effective home staging ensures buyers identify with the space and aspire to the desirable lifestyle portrayed. This is precisely why builders use model homes and show suites to effectively sell properties. These days savvy Realtors and homeowners realize that in order to maximize selling price, vacant listings must be staged.

If you are selling a vacant listing, bear in mind the disadvantages of presenting empty rooms. Perhaps the greatest drawback to selling vacant properties is that every negative detail is in plain sight. Buyers scrutinize the condition of walls, flooring, and fixtures when there is nothing else to capture their attention. Bare rooms magnify echo and are uninviting. Without structural focal points they appear boring. It is often difficult for potential buyers to gauge the functionality, size and scale of a room without furniture to provide a point of reference. Challenging floor plans can be a deal breaker, leaving buyers wondering about possible furniture layout and available space. Not only does effective home staging make rooms appear larger, it also helps buyers form the necessary emotional connection to their potential home. The streamlined furniture placement employed in home staging guides the buyer and provides a necessary sense of flow between rooms.

Most buyers view several properties before making a decision to purchase. A property that has been properly staged entices buyers to linger, interact, and remember the prospective residence. It is crucial that a space stands out from the competition and remain in the minds of potential buyers if you wish to attract multiple offers. People are often hesitant about purchasing an empty home because they assume that since the owner has already moved they are eager to sell or worse yet that there is something wrong with the property. A vacant listing may also imply that the property has been for sale for an extended period of time and encourages potential buyers to present a lower offer. Bottom line, staged homes sell sooner and for maximum profit.

Still not convinced? Consider this empty living room in a house staged by Jackson West of Reveal Estate Home Staging.

This vacant room lacked a focal point, felt hollow and showed the signs of everyday wear and tear. It is the first room potential buyers viewed as they entered the house and didn’t make a great or lasting impression.

After identifying the demographic of potential buyers, the home was successfully merchandised. Staging created a necessary and inviting focal point, visual depth, and eliminated the cold echo in the room. The placement of simple, quality furniture and accessories added a sense of sophistication and transformed this house into a warm, inviting home.

People don’t buy houses, they buy homes. Consider the advantages of having your vacant property professionally staged.

Sweetening The Deal

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:57:15 -0500

Here in Vancouver, competition in the staging industry is becoming fierce. Having a great portfolio and competitive pricing isn't always enough to secure a contract. In order to provide an edge over our competition we gladly offer these extras:

Pass on discounts from our preferred pricing partners regarding paint, flooring, junk removal, storage facilities and cleaning services.
Provide complimentary, quality "after" photos.
Offer a discount on inventory rental if required beyond an initial 30 day period.
Provide complimentary flowers for the initial open house.

How do you "sweeten the deal"?

Cutting the cutlery when Home Staging

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 06:26:06 -0600

After reading the comments on another great blog by James Frazier entitled Home Staging - Adding emotional connection with flowers Part 3, I was inspired to blog about the use of cutlery when staging a table. Home Staging encompasses even smallest details however, we do not use cutlery in our table settings for these reasons:

Silverware may appear contrived by potential buyers
Cutlery or chopsticks eat up visual space on a table and may draw attention away from a center piece
Added inventory expense
Smaller pieces are easily misplaced resulting in an incomplete set
Increased work; it takes time to unpack, neatly align, and then re-pack settings
Safety; Realtors and homeowners are often alone with strangers when showing a listing, a butter knife is still a knife.

Reveal Estate

Up Staging The Competition

Jackson West (Reveal Estate Home Staging - Vancouver) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:11:06 -0600

In the real life drama of Real Estate, is your listing commanding the lead role? Savvy home sellers, investors and top Realtors know that in order to maximize selling price, properties must make a lasting impression.

When it comes time to sell, staging brings action and romance to the set. Listings that have been effectively merchandised entice buyers to emotionally connect to the home. Like good acting, effective home presentation appeals to a vast range of viewers. Staging helps turn those viewers into buyers.

People don't buy houses, they buy homes.

Consider this town house in Vancouver recently staged by Reveal Estate.

To see more properties transformed by Reveal Estate, please view our portfolio.