Home Staging in Portland Oregon Blog

Stunning Panoramic Views of Portland, the River, & Mt. Hood @ 221 SW California ~ $838,000

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:54:26 -0600

This remodeled home has truly outstanding views of downtown Portland, John's Landing, the Willamette River, and Mt. Hood from it's treetop location in the Fulton Park neighborhood.

RMLS 9088012 ~ 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths ~ 2,940 sq ft.

The Dining space overlooks a gorgeous setting

There are two master suites, one on each level

This home has Italian tile & oak hardwood floors throughout, along with fireplaces in the Great room & the Family room

With 4 Bedrooms, one of them can easily serve as an Office space with views of the Willamette River

The Kitchen has slab granite counters, S/S appliances, Italian tile flooring, and a great view!

For more details on this home please contact Kitson Yu ~ Kitson Realty @ 503-241-5050

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This home was professionally staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland, Oregon. We offer homeowners, banks, builders, investors & real estate agents a menu of home staging services to prepare properties for the market. For a free home staging proposal for your property, give us a call @ 503-246-1800. Our clients have confidence in knowing that our staged homes sell faster in today's challenging market!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Tips on Staging a Home with a Million $ View -- Before & Afters

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:19:32 -0600

We recently staged a vacant Portland Oregon home that had been remodeled. When contacted by the sellers, our Portland home staging company provided suggestions for cosmetic improvements to be completed prior to staging ~ information that's always included in our home staging services. The sellers knew that this home's strongest selling feature is the amazing views of the Willamette River, Mt. Hood, and downtown Portland. On a clear day, you can see for miles! Take a look ....

With photos of these great Portland OR views in the online listing, buyers will want to tour this home ~ but it's just as important for the home itself to stand up well in the online photos and during showings. We recommended staging all of the rooms with views and a few other key areas to help buyers imagine themselves living in this heavenly location. Here are some Before & After photos of the staging of this home ...

In the Kitchen/Dining area we recommended coordinating the light fixtures (and having the windows professionally cleaned so that buyers could see the beautiful views) ...

We staged the Dining Space so that buyers would find sharing a meal & enjoying the view irresistible (even when it's raining like in the After photo below) ...

The Master Bedroom, although not large, has another mesmerizing view and when staged, shows buyers that a queen bed fits easily here, along with a dresser or chest ...

Even the Master Bathroom has a wonderful view to enjoy! To make this home move-in ready, we advised adding a shower door ...

We staged the 4th bedroom below as a Study/Office to show buyers a useful function for this space ~ but you might find the lovely view distracting if you're trying to get some work done ...

The Great Room has a wood-burning fireplace and plenty of space to entertain buyers & their friends ... but staging it shows them how to make it feel warm and inviting (be sure to add logs to the fireplace grate) ...

The Family Room below is spacious but needs furniture & color to show buyers a cozy gathering place ...

When staged, the Guest Suite shows buyers it's much roomier than it appears when empty ...

When staging a home with a great view, the staging should enhance it ~ not distract from it. Buyers want ideas on how they might place their furniture, especially if the home has any challenging floorplan layouts. Proper staging will help them imagine living in the home ~ which can lead to an offer. As always with staging, we can draw attention to architectural features in the home with well-placed props. In this home, the family room was the one place where we used lots of color; since it's located downstairs, bright color gave it a needed "lift" of energy. In most of the upstairs rooms, color was used as an accent so that it didn't distract from the main selling feature, the view.

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For more tips on home staging and how it can help you sell your property, contact Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR @ 503-246-1800. We offer a variety of home staging services to homeowners, Realtors, builders, and investors. Properties that we've staged this year have an average Days on Market of just 28 days (compared to the Portland metro average of 144!)

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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8 Myths of Staging to Sell ~ Busted

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:41:45 -0600

This post about 8 Myths of Home Staging is well worth reading ... thanks to Donna Ross for her thoughts on this topic. A must read for sellers and their agents!

Via Donna Ross - Home Staging, Sydney, Australia (Great Impressions Real Estate Staging & Consulting - Sydney):

Home staging (or property styling as it's commonly known as on the Australian property scene) is really an art, not a science. One of the many things a professional home stager understands is that it's the house that's up for sale, not the home owner's bread baking ability or taste in music. So, from the sublime to the rediculous - here's 8 myths of staging to sell - busted!

1. Buyers can see past my stuff
No - they can't. 95% of house hunters shop with a 'what you see is what you get' eye. You'll be maximising your chances of a better and quicker sale if you take the time to clean out, clean up and keep your look simple.

2. Baking bread, brewing fresh coffee and playing soft music will make a buyer fall in love with my house.
Maybe once upon a time this was true - but most would-be buyers are onto that old trick. It's more likely to trigger alarm bells, with many wondering what it is you're trying to hide. Your buyers will be happy with a place that looks and smells clean.

3. I'll need to clear everything out to help buyers see themselves living here.
This is only partly true. Wall to wall family photos are distracting, as is your porcelain rooster collection. These things are best put away. But don't go overboard, otherwise you'll end up with a look that feels cold and sterile.

4. If it's an original feature - it adds value.
Sometimes yes - but often no. Generally a property built less than 50 years ago without being updated is more likely to appear dated, rather than classic.

5. My place isn't worth staging.
All homes are worth taking the time to present in a positive light to buyers. The trick to knowing where to start and what to do is in having a good idea of what buyers in your target market will expect, along with learning more about what competing properties in your area are offering.

6. Empty rooms look bigger.

This is rarely the case. Buyers will always prefer to see how a room is used and what will fit in it, rather than be left to guess. Very large rooms can also be too intimidating for some. Even borrowed furniture can help buyers get an idea of scale and give the eye something of interest to focus on.

7. Converting a bedroom into a home gym won't be a problem.
Bedrooms are one of the most valuable commodities of the 'for sale' property. Having a home gym set up in a bedroom will prompt buyers to wonder why that is. I remember once looking at a house where this was the case. When I came across the bedroom with the gym in it, I immediately began to question if a bed would even fit. Always give the rooms in your house a purpose.

8. No need to worry about wardrobes and cupboards.
Home storage is a big deal to most buyers and is surprisingly valuable. Prospective buyers will open storage cupboards in kitchens and bathrooms, so keep them tidy. Keep only what you're using on a daily or weekly basis, and pack the rest away ready for the move.

Have you got a staging myth you'd like busted? Share them with me here.

Donna Ross

Great Impressions Real Estate Staging

"I love helping Sydney home owners and real estate agents catch the eye of choosy buyers with their 'for sale' listings, with fast, simple and inexpensive decorating fixes."

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Home Sellers: Questions to Ask your Home Stager Before you Hire Them

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:22:33 -0600

SELLERS: SOME GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR HOME STAGING COMPANY

When you’re comparing home staging proposals, here are some questions to consider asking so that you can be confident you’re selecting the company that’s best for your project:

Is the home staging company registered in the City they’re based in and fully insured for liability in the event of property damage while on your premises? Will they provide a copy of their insurance coverage to you?

Does the staging company's pricing proposal include staging the same number of rooms as your other proposals -- so that you can compare apples to apples? Do they partially stage with "vignettes" only, or do they offer full staging with coordinated furnishings and accessories?

Did they show you examples and photos of their actual work, and not just stock photos of the company they trained with (or photos they found on the internet)?

Does the staging company provide top-quality digital photos for your agent to use online, as well as for flyers?

Are they an established professional staging company with a good website? How long have they been in business? Does local media include them in articles, interviews & film clips?

Does the staging company include periodic visits to the property to check on the staging as part of their service?

Does the staging company accept credit cards?

What training and professional affiliations does the home staging designer have? Are they a full time home stager?

Does the staging company provide photos of their recent staging projects?

Does the staging company give you local clients' references and testimonials?

Does the staging company require a 3-month or longer rental minimum? (you may prefer a shorter time frame)

Because home staging is not yet a regulated industry, there are misconceptions about how it should be done as well as how to hire a good home stager. If you ask these questions of the stagers you're considering for your project, you'll be able to determine who's best for you.

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Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR helps homeowners, builders, investors, banks & Realtors prepare their properties with a full menu of home staging services to make them appealing to your target buyer. For a complimentary home staging proposal call us @ 503-246-1800.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Selling a home in Portland Oregon? Time to Talk Turkey about Staging it

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:19:01 -0600

If you're selling a home in the greater Portland Oregon area, let's talk turkey about staging it!

Your property may be just coming on the market ~ or maybe it's been for sale for a while now without an acceptable offer ... here are some Tips to help you sell it. By now (thanks to HGTV) almost everyone has heard about home staging, but not everyone knows how it works.

Be sure to list your property with a licensed Realtor who specializes in your neighborhood. Now is not the time to try a FSBO sale ... today's challenging market has too many possible pitfalls to handle by yourself. An experienced Realtor will guide you through the pricing process, contract of sale negotiations, inspections, ensuring your buyers are qualified, etc. An expert Realtor is well worth the commission earned and provides value-added services to their clients.

First, contact a professional home staging expert in your area! Whether your home is occupied while it's on the market, or vacant, we can provide a cost-effective consultation to identify what easy fixes may be needed to make your home appealing to your target buyer. Your property might need a fresh coat of paint -- we're color experts and help select the best color for your house. Maybe it's not in your budget to remodel your kitchen or bathrooms -- no problem! We can suggest easy & inexpensive updates that will be appealing to buyers. Not sure where your furniture should be placed to showcase your home's best features? We do this everyday and include this advice in our Verbal Walk Through Consultation service. If your home needs a few accessories or wall decor to give it that extra pop, you can rent them from our staging inventory, or we can advise the best places in town to buy them (or even shop for you).

If vacant, your property will look far more inviting to potential buyers with properly-placed furnishings. The cost may be less than you think ~ so contact your local staging company for a complimentary staging proposal. (This year our company's staged properties have sold in less than 29 days on the market, compared with the Portland metro area average of 144 days on market.)

Be sure that your home staging company is fully insured and ask them for client references ~ you want the best service at a competitive rate; finding out what previous clients have said is very important.

Make sure your online listing photos (and the ones in the marketing flyers your Realtor provides) are high quality digital photos taken with a wide-angle lens. Since we know that 90% of today's buyers are previewing homes on the web before making an in-person visit, your photos must be appealing to buyers and show the property's best features.

Hopefully these tips will help when marketing your Portland OR home for sale .... Stage it to Sell it!

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Room Solutions Staging offers Portland Oregon Homeowners, Realtors, Builders, Banks and Investors a menu of professional home staging services to suit your budget and time frame. For a complimentary home staging proposal, call us @ 503-246-1800 or visit our Contact page.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Some new 4-legged Friends I met along the way while visiting Ireland

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:56:08 -0500

Having lived in Ireland, I like to visit there as often as possible ... such a beautiful country with the most amazingly friendly people! I've also discovered that the Irish love their dogs .... and sometimes those dogs are allowed to be quite independent especially in rural areas.

Here are a few new pals I found along the byways on my last trip over to Ireland .... some are scruffy, some spoiled rotten, some are lonely, some have serious jobs, but all surely must be loved.

The two characters to the right are Rocky & Swanky -- they live on the County Kerry farm where my grandfather was born in 1886 (my ghostly reflection is in the cottage's window). As a border collie and a Jack Russell terrier, they represent two of the most popular breeds in Ireland. In the photo below, Swanky is obviously trying to win the "ugliest dog" contest -- even with his smile.

Just a bit further North we came across this cutie on Kells Beach -- he wanted us to play catch with a rock he found in the sand. I just love the look of this little guy!

In County Limerick we found more new pals, some who were waiting patiently for their masters ...

This fellow looked so lonely that we asked his master if we could take him for a walk down to the river ...

Now isn't he having much more fun?

And this lucky collie oversees magical Lough Gur in County Limerick, where I had a Bed & Breakfast business for 4 years ...

But my favorite Irish dog of all is my own Darby O'Gill (D.O.G.) who was born & raised in Lough Gur but emigrated to the U.S. (now 14 yrs young)

Have you come across cute dogs during your travels? If so, please share your photos in your comment!

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If you're looking for a home stager in the Portland OR area, give Room Solutions Staging a call. We love preparing homes for the market just as much as we love dogs! For a complimentary home staging consultation give us a call @ 503-246-1800.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Luxury Los Angeles Home Stager featured in the NY Times

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:02:30 -0500

In case you missed the story published in the October 22, 2009 edition of the NY Times by Mark Oppenheimer, it profiles Meridith Baer, a home stager and designer in the Los Angeles area. Her company, Dressed to Sell by Meridith Baer, has been staging homes and offering design services for ten years with 12 designers and a staff of 70. They house their extensive and eclectic inventory in a 45,000 sq ft warehouse.

Her story makes for interesting reading and the photo tours on her website showcase some spectacular homes!

One of the hallmarks of this company's staging style is that they decide who will be living in this home (determining the target buyer) and then stage the home for that person. Apparently her techniques are very successful ~ and sometimes quite costly!

We can all learn from each other and this article illustrates the importance of professional home staging to sell homes -- luxury and otherwise -- faster than if they had been left vacant. In any market, staging makes the home memorable!

Read the full NY Times article here ....

What did you think?

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If you're looking for a professional home stager in the Portland OR metro area, Room Solutions Staging offers home staging services to prepare your property for sale or lease. To make your property appealing to your target buyer, give us a call @ 503-246-1800. We offer complimentary home staging proposals for homes in all price categories.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Using Active Rain to Enhance Home Staging Client Relationships in Portland Oregon

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:16:58 -0500

Bob Stewart issued a bribe challenge for posts describing how we use Active Rain to enhance client relationships ~ a fun challenge to take on. One of the main advantages of being an Active Rain RainMaker is the great marketing opportunity to communicate with home staging clients in the Portland OR area.

Most of my blog posts are written for two main target clients: Portland Oregon Homeowners planning to sell, and local Realtors. Since most of my clients search for home staging professionals using Google, having a strong internet presence is critically important. You'd be hard put to find a better means of building your real estate-related web presence than Active Rain!

One of the ways that potential and existing clients can find your blog is to provide links to it in your social media profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook, Zillow, etc.). I also post links to many of my A/R posts on these other forums for wider exposure than the A/R audience. I also add a link to my blog in my email signature so that people can easily connect to my posts when I reply to their inquiries about our Portland home staging services.

The home page of my company website has a link to my Active Rain Blog that has resulted in many views. My A/R Blog serves as my main "portfolio" of staging photos from various projects since I joined A/R in 2007. I've blogged about staging Portland OR vacant homes for sale using 'Before & After' photos, as well as staging occupied homes in the Portland area. I've also blogged about our Portland staging statistics for homes that we've staged this past year, resulting in clients calling me with requests for staging proposals.

Writing hyper-local content posts on A/R targeted to my Homeowner clients recently resulted in new clients finding my home staging tips and advice and then contacting me. One local Realtor read my A/R Blog, saw my Before & After photos, and then referred the president of a local bank to me -- that bank then hired my company to stage four high-end foreclosed homes!

One very effective way my A/R Blog helped me win new home staging clients came about this Spring when HGTV's production company posted a blog on A/R asking for Portland-area first time homebuyers to send in their application to appear on their show "My First Place." I wrote to the author of that A/R post and asked if they needed some design help for their Portland episodes. Shortly afterward, expert Chicago A/R home staging colleague, Julea Joseph did the design work for their Chicago episodes and the producer mentioned that the show's next shooting location was Portland, so Julea suggested that they contact me (since she knew me from my A/R Blog). The producers reviewed my website and A/R Blog and hired me to do 5 episodes of HGTV's My First Place, filmed this past summer -- to be aired in the Spring of 2010. (That was pretty cool ~ thanks A/R and Julea!)

Clients also find me through my A/R profile while searching online for Home Staging in Portland Oregon ~ today on Google my company is ranked in 5 spots on page 1! So ~ keep blogging on A/R ~ be consistent. It will enhance your client relationships!

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Room Solutions Staging in Portland Oregon offers full service home staging to the entire Portland metro area including Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Aloha, and Hillsboro. We can help your property or listing look fabulous online and in person for your target buyer. We've helped hundreds of clients including Homeowners, Realtors, Banks, Builders, and Investors using staging techniques that sell homes fast. For a complimentary staging proposal call Maureen Bray @ 503-246-1800.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Ireland ~ Where They're not Afraid of Paint Color!

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:13:53 -0500

When I visited Ireland before moving over & living there for eight years, I was surprised at how they use color when painting the exteriors of their homes and buildings. It's a delightful surprise to come across a brightly-colored cottage or pub, especially on a gray and misty day in the Emerald Isle. It's not unusual that painting the exterior is the last decorating step and is often done a year or two after your home is built -- usually because most of the building budget was already used up! So driving around you'd notice some homes are still the color of their cement walls .... while others are amazingly bright like these ....

And even "graffiti" celebrating history and sports is full of vibrant color on the sides of buildings in small villages ...

Irish Pubs and shops are notorious for being delightfully colorful ...

A brightly colored red door welcomes you to an old Church now used as a Museum ...

But in front of this colorful pub I wonder ~ are we yielding to Pedestrians, or to the urge for a Guinness?

Ah ~ here's the answer ~ Have a Happy Halloween! And remember to have fun with color!

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If you're in the Portland Oregon metro area and you'd like a paint color consultation for selling or staying in your home, give the color experts at Room Solutions Staging a call @ 503-246-1800. Our consultation service will help you choose just the right colors for your interior and exterior.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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12492 SW St. Andrews Lane, Tigard OR 97224 ~ $799,500

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:52:27 -0500

This custom home near Portland OR was designed by a Street of Dreams builder and offers three levels of unmatched quality and craftsmanship. Positioned at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this property backs up to a green space that allows for privacy on both upper and lower decks. Great Bull Mountain neighborhood in friendly Tigard Oregon.

MLS 9045402; 4 Bedrooms + 3.5 Bathrooms; 4,721 sq ft

For more info on this home contact John DeCosta, Keller Williams @ 503-702-0856

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This home was staged by Maureen Bray of Room Solutions Staging in Portland Oregon. We help Homeowners, Realtors, Builders, and Investors prepare their homes with a full menu of professional home staging services. Want your property to sell faster than the competition? Give us a call for a complimentary home staging proposal. Room Solutions ~ Staging that Sells Portland Homes.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Portland LEED Platinum Home featured ~ Oregon Remodelers Assoc. Tour Oct. 17-18

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:09:02 -0500

As part of the ORA (Oregon Remodelers Association) annual Tour Oct. 17th & 18th, this LEED Platinum home will be featured as the prizewinner for Best Green Building Remodel for 2009. This home's innovative and energy-effiicient design make it one of the "Greenest" homes in Portland Oregon.

The Tour runs on Saturday Oct 17th & Sunday Oct 18th from 10am to 5pm. Check out the link to the ORA site above for more details on the Tour ~ there are more than 19 homes in the Portland and Salem areas included.

Here are a few photos of the winning home at 8020 SW Elmwood St., Portland 97223

For more information on this outstanding remodeled home please visit this website

Listed by Hilary Bourassa & Darcie Pelsor of Oregon First (971-207-0374)

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This home was professionally staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland Oregon. We help Homeowners, Realtors, Banks, Investors and Builders prepare their properties to sell quickly. We offer a menu of home staging services to our clients, tailored to your budget and timeline ~ just give us a call for a complimentary staging proposal.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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3579 NW 106th Pl, Portland OR 97229 ~ $699,900 ~ Custom Dream Home

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:37:16 -0500

This gorgeous custom home near Portland's Forest Heights neighborhood is an entertainer's dream! Dramatic two-story great room with soaring windows overlooks a peaceful setting filled with trees. Gourmet chef's kitchen with professional s/s appliances and slab granite along with beautiful sapele wood cabinets. 5 Bedrooms + 3.5 Baths in 3,813 sq ft on three levels. MLS 9073480

For more information on this stunning home please contact John Duncan of R. Collin & Assoc. @ 503-803-9184

Open Sunday Oct 11th from 1 to 4pm

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This home was professionally staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland Oregon. We help sellers and their agents prepare vacant and occupied homes to make them irresistible to buyers. For a menu of our staging services or a free home staging proposal just give us a call @ 503-246-1800. Our staging techniques help to sell your home or listing faster!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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8565 SW Cedarcrest, Portland OR 97223 ~ $265,000 SOLD in 21 Days!

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:58:42 -0500

This updated ranch home is located in a peaceful setting in the Portland-Tigard Triangle not far from Washington Square. 3 Bedrooms + 2 full Baths; 1240 sq ft. MLS# 9075738

This lovely home has hardwood floors, new carpeting, fresh paint, updated bathrooms and a remodeled kitchen and is move-in ready!

For more details call Danna Freeman, Keller Williams Realty @ 503-307-4283

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This home was staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR, working with the seller's own furnishings and providing our accessories where needed. We work with Homeowners, Realtors, Banks and Investors to prepare homes for selling so that they appeal to the target buyer of each property. For a menu of our home staging services or a free home staging proposal call us at 503-246-1800.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Motivated Sellers in Tigard OR get a little Help from their Team

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:46:15 -0500

When you're planning to sell your Tigard or Portland-area home, nothing beats having a team of motivated sellers, a Realtor with aggressive marketing skills, and a professional home stager.

When our company provided a home staging consultation to these sellers, they had recently combined households and knew they had too much "stuff" for selling their home; at just 946 sq ft, every inch was fully utilized in this Tigard, OR home.

We walked through their ranch-style home with their agent taking notes, and discussed options for dealing with excess furniture and miscellaneous items. They decided to get a POD (Portable On Demand) Storage unit -- and it worked wonders! I advised which pieces should stay, what to pack up, and how to arrange what was left to showcase the floor space in each room (as opposed to the "stuff" that potential buyers would find distracting). With our "Action Plan" the sellers were able to stage their home using our tips and working with what they already had.

UPDATE: This home SOLD in just 10 days!

This home had many good features that previously were hard to see due to all the excess furniture.

The family room had huge dark shelving units that overwhelmed the room; removing them created some nice breathing space ...

The master bedroom had a kingsize bed & distracting clutter so our plan called for swapping it out for a Queen bed ...

One of the bedrooms was being used as an Office ... but needed excess clutter removed to show the space & HW floors ...

We advised removing personal items from the Bathroom to make it look pristine ...

The kitchen needed a general tidying up and packing away of excess items ...

These motivated sellers were able to stage their own home using our consultation service, which includes advice on everything from suggestions on what furniture to keep, what to pack away, landscaping tips, paint colors if needed, light fixture replacements, and other easy cosmetic repairs. Their hard work paid off -- this home SOLD in just 10 days!

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Portland-area Homesellers (and their Realtors) call Room Solutions Staging for help in preparing homes for sale. Join these smart and savvy sellers and let us help your property sell faster too! Free staging proposals @ 503-246-1800.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Condo in Portland Oregon Staged & Sold in 4 days for Over Asking Price

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:49:27 -0500

One of our Realtor partners asked me for a home staging proposal for a modest vacant condo in Portland OR recently. Since this condo faced stiff competition from several other units in the same complex (that had more updated features & designer paint colors compared to this unit) -- she knew that staging would give this townhouse an "edge."

We staged the townhouse and it sold for 103% of asking price in just 4 days! Naturally the sellers and their Realtor are thrilled with the fast sale. Here are some Before & After photos of this unit ...

Since the walls had recently been painted a stark white, we used color to add some needed life & warmth; and we also recommended removing the dated vertical blinds ...

Before, the kitchen had a faux grape arbor hanging from the light fixture (too much of a personal statement for a home on the market) so we recommended removing it and then added some props to this black & stainless kitchen ...

The second bedroom was staged as a home office; for an instant update we recommended that the brass-trim closet doors be replaced with white trim ones, and the dated spot light fixtures be replaced with new ones ...

Just for fun, I usually like to take an overhead shot from the second floor ....

The other nearby units in this complex? They're still on the market -- but they're not professionally staged.

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Do you have a home or listing going on the market soon, or on the market but not getting offers? For a no-obligation free staging proposal, call Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR @ 503-246-1800. We'll be happy to help you! Our professional staging gets great results ~ this year our average Days On Market is less than 30!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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So You Want to be a Home Stager? Here's a Letter just for You ...

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:33:23 -0500

Many of us regularly receive emails or calls from "wannabe" stagers .... I've had so many that I came up with a letter to send them. They deserve to know the "reality" of the staging business and not just hear about how "easy" it is (as shown on TV and by some staging training companies) ....

Dear Wannabe Stager,

Thank you for inquiring about the home staging business. I’m often contacted by people who’d like to know more about staging and how to get started. One of the most important things to consider is that professional stagers should be committed to running a business which is so much more than “decorating” someone’s home. There are a lot of costs to consider, such as:

Inventory and props – even if you plan to rent some of the furnishings, you’ll still need to invest a substantial amount of money into accessories, rugs, wall décor, linens, plants, etc. The cost of these items adds up much quicker than you might imagine.

Storage space – once you’ve accumulated accessories and small furnishings you’ll soon find that you need more than just your garage or spare bedroom to store them. Public storage or warehouse space will add to your expenses.

Special insurance to cover your staging company for liability in the event you or your helpers damage something in the client’s home, and also to cover your staging inventory whether it’s in transit, in the client’s home, in storage, or in your own home.

Legal help – you’ll need a good business attorney who can help you develop a staging contract for occupied & vacant homes; this is very important as you’ll find that being in other people’s home exposes you to liability you may not have thought about, or what happens to your rented staging inventory in the event of non-payment, etc. It’s best to seek help even if you have a “template” contract, to make sure everything in it applies in your state.

A good accountant who can help with taxes and what requirements your city & county have for small business owners.

Labor help with packing, loading & unloading, transport, and the actual staging and de-staging.

Register your business with the city and county you’re in and get the proper instructions on your responsibilities; get a TAX ID number.

A domain name for your website & a reputable host for it; SEO help to get your site noticed.

A great blogging platform to help your business grow (Active Rain)

A portfolio and website with photos of your own work (not the work of your training company or stock photos off the internet!).

A reliable vehicle that can carry your many staging props to each job.

Office space with a good computer, printer & supplies ~ and good computer skills.

Marketing advice on the look of your company logo, letterhead stationery, flyers, etc.

Investment in advertising & marketing to potential clients in your area.

Cost of joining local professional organizations to network and get support from others in the industry

Sources for purchasing your inventory and for local furniture rental if needed.

The ability to give presentations to Realtors and Homeowners

These are just a few of the things to consider when thinking about setting up a staging company. The best advice I can give someone interested in staging as a career ~ and not just a hobby ~ is to take one of the professional foundation staging training courses that are available (some are better than others so be sure to get recommendations from established stagers). Continuing education in this field is vitally important. It’s also just as important to maintain contact with other local stagers for support and to further our common goals. We have a lot of work to do to educate real estate agents and homeowners about the powerful benefits of staging their properties.

If you’re truly committed to starting a professional staging company then I hope this advice has been of help to you. Home staging is an extremely rewarding career ~ but please don't quit your current job just yet until you've really considered all the facts. You may also want to read this blog post about running a staging company. Best of luck to you as you move forward with meeting your goals!

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Maureen Bray is a fulltime professional home stager in Portland Oregon.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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One of our favorite vacant home stagings in Portland ... Before & Afters

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:45:47 -0500

A repeat client contacted me recently and asked me to view his latest project, a stunning new contemporary home in a premier Portland OR neighborhood, and provide a proposal for staging it. Last year we staged a couple of nearby homes for this client and they sold quickly. Because his homes are known for their stunning design, high quality materials and attention to detail, I couldn't wait to see it. As professional stagers, we really appreciate when everything is done "just right."

I dropped by this home after staging a nearby house to take photos for my staging proposal. As soon as I drove up the driveway I felt the excitement of this property, set apart on a hill with a great view of a forested area. I walked in the front door and immediately noticed that all of the doors and cabinetry throughout the home were made of exotic African Sapele wood (part of the mahogany family) -- and every door was 8 ft high.

The seller knew that buyers would relate much better to this home if it were staged so that they could imagine living there and enjoying all of its unique features. The great room has soaring windows about 30 ft high .... and dramatic architectural features that are found throughout this 3,800+ sq ft home:

Another view of the great room shows it's fireplace that also serves a cozy study on the other side:

The dining area with Brazilian cherry floors opens out to a spacious redwood deck:

The master suite carries on the clean lines of this home so we staged it with contemporary furniture:

The gourmet chef's kitchen is an entertainer's dream ... it was a treat just to stage it!

We staged the study with a small desk and showcased the fireplace & beautiful views:

The rear exterior of this home shows its dramatic design ...

For more photos of this home please see the virtual tour

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This home was professionally staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland Oregon ~ we help Homeowners, Builders, Realtors, and Investors prepare their homes for the market with a variety of home staging services. For more information just call us @ 503-246-1800. Room Solutions ~ Staging that Sells Portland Homes!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Dear Mr. Seller, I TRIED to Help You, but ...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:57:56 -0500

Dear Mr. Seller,

You contacted my company 3 months ago and requested a staging proposal for your home. It's in a premier Portland neighborhood and you said you knew it needed some help before listing. You'd already bought another home and were packing up your things to move out in a few days.

When I arrived to view your home, it was surprising to see a huge pool table in your dining room! We laughed together about that and also the long heavy dark velvet drapes! Your home needed major cleaning and packing up of many small items. I knew we could help you!

We'd be able to work with most of your furniture that you'd be leaving behind, and we'd provide the necessary missing pieces as well as accessories, art, trees & plants, etc. as needed. We discussed that if we were going to work together, I'd give you a detailed list that would include which furniture pieces to leave behind as well as some easy cosmetic improvements that you could do yourself.

You told me that your listing agent did not believe in home staging. I was surprised to hear this, because I thought that your home was one of the better candidates for staging that I've seen this year, but I kept my opinion to myself. I told you that our company keeps track of our staging statistics, and we're proud of them. I knew we could help you!

Later that day I emailed you a very cost-effective proposal that included staging your home using your furniture and providing accessories and other items from our inventory. We'd stage your home to make it appealing to your target buyer. Our proposal also included quality digital photos for the online listing ... critical in today's challenging market. I knew we could help you!

Later, I was disappointed that you decided not to stage your home. Looking at the online listing, it was a shock to see the photos of your home! They're dark, out of focus, crooked, and don't even show the best features of your home. I won't show them here because that wouldn't be discreet, but I noticed the heavy velvet drapes are still there, and your furniture is not in the right position to showcase the space. The photos are about the worst I've ever seen. I knew we could have helped you!

After 6 weeks on the market I noticed that you took a $30,000 price reduction! After another 4 weeks, I saw that your price had now dropped $50,000! Hmmm ... your agent discouraged you from staging (even though you would have paid for it) but has no problem recommending that you drop your price by $50K?

Wow! Staging your home with a professional staging company would have cost a tiny fraction of your first price reduction -- but you decided to drop your price by $50,000 instead. How does that make sense from a financial viewpoint?

The sad thing is, today I drove by your home again on my way to staging one of your neighbor's homes, and saw the new sign addition now hanging from your "For Sale" sign ...

Mr. Seller ~ We really did try to help you! I wish we could have.

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For help making sure your home shines for potential buyers, contact Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR to learn more about our home staging services. We work with Homeowners, Banks, Realtors, and Investors to prepare homes to SELL. Give us a call at 503-246-1800 for more information. Room Solutions ~ Staging that Sells Portland Homes.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Portland Home Stagers Meet Dan Vickery, Design Star Finalist!

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:02:32 -0500

Kathy Alexander, a local staging colleague and A/R member, invited me to a Grand Finale party hosted by Dan Vickery, HGTV's Season 4 Design Star finalist. The big bash was held at Kell's Irish Pub in downtown Portland this evening, where they had large screens set up to play the actual HGTV Season 4 Finale show.

We arrived early to get a good table (and had a cocktail before ordering a delicious Irish dinner) and soon a big white limo pulled up outside and out popped Dan Vickery with some of his family & friends ... when Dan walked into the pub, everyone cheered and he happily posed for photos with his "fans" and even signed autographs. Dan was accompanied by a gorgeous tall brunette who he later introduced as his girlfriend, Rose. Dan is extremely gracious and about the nicest, most humble person you could meet. Not to mention what a talented designer he is!

There were multiple huge screens set up in the pub, and once the actual HGTV Season 4 finale started, during the intermissions Dan stood at the mic and took questions from the audience. We learned some interesting things about the show, some of which may surprise you:

The "Elimination Rounds" actually take 10 to 12 hours! There is a lot of editing done to whittle them down to just a few minutes on each weekly episode. Dan said the atmosphere during these rounds is quite tense.

None of the Design Star contestants are paid for their time on the show. Their accommodation and meals are provided, but nothing more. They work an average of 14-16 hours each day for 6 weeks and exist on about 6 hours of sleep each night. Dan said his Oregon family was hugely supportive of his entering the competition and that he couldn't have done it without their help.

There is no interaction between the contestants and the judges (Vern Yip, Candice Olson, and Genevieve Gorder) during the filming of the show -- only at the Elimination Rounds.

Where do the "Helper carpenters" come from for the Grand Finale? The producers run an ad on Craigslist!

How do the families and their homes get on the show? The producers figure out which neighborhoods are relatively easy to get permits in, and go knocking on doors. Anyone who participates gets all the work done for free. After the designers do their work, a professional construction crew follows up to correct any deficiencies and to make sure everything is done according to local code.

Kathy & I put this sign on our table so there was no doubt who we thought the winner was!

Although Dan was the Runner-Up we think he did a fantastic job ... and we hope he'll win the "on line show" on HGTV. There's still time to go to their website and vote for Dan! That competition ends on Tuesday Sept. 15th @ 5pm EST.

Here's a few photos of Dan tonight during the Grand Finale Party held in his honor ... he was a superb host!

Did you see the show? Did you agree with the judges' outcome? Looking forward to hearing what others thought of it.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Small Condo, Small Budget, Big Improvement ~ Home Staging in Portland OR

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:10:04 -0500

Recently I was contacted by a homeowner whose townhome in Portland Oregon had been on the market for 3 months. She said she was looking into having it professionally staged to improve it's appeal, both in the online listing photos and when potential buyers & agents view it in person.

It's a small condo about 1100 sq ft in the desirable Portland neighborhood of Forest Heights. We discussed keeping to a budget yet staging all of the rooms because buyers' feedback had been that they didn't think the main living area was "large enough" for their furniture. With some creative staging, I think we've showed them the space works just fine!

UPDATE: This property has SOLD!

Here's how the condo looked the past 3 months to buyers ~ and how it looks today after home staging:

This is the view you see from the front entry; this area serves as both living & dining areas:

Here we showed potential buyers how they might configure a seating area:

Buyers wondered where could they place a dining table?

The master bedroom has a small nook which makes for a perfect place to sit and read:

The second, smaller bedroom would make a perfect office space if needed:

Buyers now have a chance to "see" how they might live in this townhome .... Before, with no way to reference furnishings in the space, they guessed that it was smaller than it is. Staging can help properties attract more viewings -- more viewings means more opportunities for offers!

Professional photography courtesy of Gary Shepard, CPS Real Estate Photography Lake Oswego OR

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Do you have an existing listing in the Portland Oregon metro area that's not attracting offers? Let us provide you with a free staging proposal ~ you'll be happy to know that Room Solutions Staging offers a variety of home staging services for all price points. Give us a call @ 503-246-1800 and we'll help your property sell faster than the competition!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Exceptional Tualatin Oregon remodel sells in just 12 days!

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:24:35 -0500

This home should be on your must-see list if you're looking for a truly "move in ready" home in the convenient Tualatin OR area.

It's been carefully and beautifully updated and sports a gorgeous new kitchen with eveything you could want, including slab granite, large travertine tiles, superb cabinets, S/S appliances, and French doors opening to the deck and landscaped back yard.

MLS # 9069732; 3 Bedrooms with 2 Baths; 1,461 sq ft.

For more info on this fantastic home, call Kristin Rader at John L. Scott @ 503-539-6946.

Related Post About This Home

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This home was professionally staged by Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR. We help homeowners and their Realtors prepare homes for sale to make them irresistible to buyers with a variety of home staging services. For a free staging proposal give us a call @ 503-246-1800. Our staging gets great results in the Portland OR metro area!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Update: SOLD! Home Staging Case Study ~ Bachelor "Flips" in Portland OR (Before & Afters)

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:56:08 -0500

Update: This home sold in just 12 days after staging and listing! Another home staging success story in Portland OR

I've worked with a lot of bachelors as well as "flippers" to help them prepare their homes for sale in Portland Oregon ... but this recent project may take the top prize. Why was this Seller so successful? Because he made a plan, did the work, hired a professional home stager, and also asked me for a referral for a great Realtor whose track record is awesome!

My client planned this "flip" in a home he's been living in for several years. He contacted me 3 months ago and asked for my recommendations for final cosmetic improvements like paint color, cabinet hardware, landscaping, etc. We also discussed staging each room to show the best use of each space for potential buyers and making sure we had a great traffic flow throughout the home. When the home was ready for staging, we used the owner's furniture wherever possible and provided needed items from our own inventory, to keep the client's costs down.

In the living room, there's a wonderful beam in the vaulted ceiling, a great fireplace and big windows, but the existing furniture was typical "bachelor" style. Here's how it looked Before and After our staging ...

Another view of the main living area shows the new fireplace mantle and a new accent wall color ...

A spare bedroom was underutilized and so we staged it as a home office to appeal to the target buyer ...

The seller completely remodeled the kitchen, adding high-end finishes & appliances, granite counters & a travertine floor ...

This home sold in just 12 days! The seller made all of the right decisions along the way!

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For help with your home staging project, call Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR @ 504-246-1800. We help sellers, Realtors, and investors in the Portland Oregon metro area by providing cost-effective home staging consultations and staging for vacant or occupied homes. Our staging really works ~ let us know when you're ready to SELL!

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR: Case study ~ Home listed & SOLD in 2 days for over asking price

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:55:45 -0500

For the last in our series of Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR, we'd like to show a recent example of a home staging success story.

This lovely home in one of Portland Oregon's convenient Southeast neighborhoods was listed on Thursday Aug. 20th and had an accepted offer two days later for over asking price!

The sellers and their agent had a home staging consultation with our company about a month before listing this home. We provided them with our suggestions for easy cosmetic improvements that the homeowners could take care of themselves, which among other things included deep cleaning of all surfaces, touch up painting, light landscaping, removal of excess furniture, and how to arrange the remaining furniture to highlight the home's best features and allow for a smooth traffic flow.

Staging is all about making the home look its best. You wouldn't try to sell your car without cleaning and detailing it, would you? The same goes for your home. With so many other homes competing against yours, why not do everything you can to make sure yours is more appealing to your target buyer? Professional stagers would never agree to hide any flaws -- we advise sellers to repair anything that might become an issue in a home inspection -- before listing.

Everything here already belonged to the seller ~ it wasn't necessary for them to rent or buy anything new. Here's some Before & After photos of this SOLD home:

In the great room above, we advised the sellers to pack up all the toys and clutter, and move the large TV away from the windows to let in more light. Removing personal family photos and excess bulky furniture also made the space seem brighter and "move in ready." Which version would you rather spend time in?

In the dining area above, the large fish tank was removed along with a cabinet on the far right of the photo, and general clutter picked up. Now buyers can imagine sharing a meal with family and friends!

Above we can see in the kitchen that how you "live" in your home is not how you should "show" it when it's on the market. Clean every single surface and clear the excess clutter off the counters. Let buyers "see" what you're selling -- your home, not your "stuff."

Following Home Staging Tips from your professional home stager will make your home stand out from others that your buyers will be viewing, both online and in person. At just $150, a home staging consultation is a very cost-effective tool to help both the sellers and their agent ensure the home sells as quickly as possible.

This post is #6 in our Series on Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR. Here are the previous posts:

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Enhance your Kitchen

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR: Appeal to your Target Buyer

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Use Color when Staging a Child's room

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Stage your Dining Room to Show its Purpose

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Don't Show This but DO show That

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Sellers in the greater Portland Oregon area can find professional staging advice from Room Solutions Staging. Our staged homes have sold in an average of 31.7 days this year! Give us a call at 503-246-1800 for a free home staging proposal for your occupied or vacant home.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR: Enhance your Kitchen

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:11:07 -0500

If you're selling your home in Portland Oregon you need to stage it to make it appealing to potential buyers. Here's a home staging tip: make your kitchen look like a great place to entertain your family & friends. People often think of the kitchen area as the "heart of the home" and a place where family gathers to share good food & conversation. Adding color and some food items often helps buyers imagine how it would feel to live in, and enjoy, your kitchen.

Needless to say, first your kitchen must be gleaming, sparking clean! Don't forget the major appliances need to shine, inside & out.

Here are photos of some kitchens that we've staged in the Portland OR area to make them appealing to the target buyer using props to give the kitchen an inviting look and "feel" ...

This post is #5 in our Series on Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR. Here are the previous posts:

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Case Study ~ Home Listed and SOLD in 2 days for over asking price

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR: Appeal to your Target Buyer

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Use Color when Staging a Child's room

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Stage your Dining Room to Show its Purpose

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Don't Show This but DO show That

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Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland OR: Appeal to your TARGET Buyer

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:25:41 -0500

If you're selling your home in Portland Oregon here's a home staging tip for you: Staging is much more than "decorating" a home for sale .... the most effective staging makes sure that your home appeals to your Target Buyer.

Who's your target buyer, you ask? Good question! You can determine this by looking at your neighborhood ... who lives there? Are they mostly young families, or retirees, or young trendy urban professionals, or perhaps a mix of several? Talk to your Realtor to get their ideas on your neighborhood demographic (another reason why you should select a Realtor who specializes in YOUR area).

When you hire a professional home stager they'll take all of these important factors into account, helping to create a "lifestyle" that's appropriate for your home, your neighborhood, and your target buyer.

Here are some examples of how our Portland OR home staging company successfully techniques to appeal to the Target Buyers of these homes ...

This home was on the market for 6 months as a vacant home without a sale. The Listing Broker suggested to the Seller that Staging this home could make a difference ... and it did! We staged it to appeal to this home's target buyer, someone who'd love being within walking distance of the area's fun trendy restaurants ~ and it sold just 5 days after staging:

The next example of staging to appeal to the Target Buyer was a fun project. The home is in a very hip urban neighborhood that appeals to young professionals. Knowing this was our demographic made it easy to make the home appealing. The client loved the outcome and quick sale!

The next 2 photos are of a home that's LEED Platinum certified, in other words "as Green as it gets." To appeal to this home's Target Buyer we used green materials in the accessories (bamboo balls, bamboo table runner, wicker chargers & napkin rings, organic cotton napkins) on the dining table; and driftwood as a table accessory with live "lucky bamboo" behind it:

In our last example, this vintage condo in Portland OR was one of 7 in the building. We asked the seller & her listing agent who else lived there ~ and then staged it to appeal to a single woman over 40. The result was a sale in 14 days (to a single woman in her mid-40's):

This post is Part 4 in a series of Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon ... here's other posts in the series:

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Use Color when Staging a Child's room

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Stage your Dining Room to Show its Purpose

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Don't Show This but DO show That

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Enhance your Kitchen

Home Staging Tips for Sellers in Portland Oregon: Case Study ~ Home Listed & SOLD in 2 days for over asking price

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Room Solutions Staging offers expert home staging advice to sellers & their Realtors in the Portland Oregon metro area. To make sure that your property appeals to your target buyer, call us for a free home staging proposal @ 503-246-1800. Room Solutions ~ Staging that Sells Portland Homes.

Staging That Sells Portland Homes!

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