Julie's Staging Blog

NEW CONSTRUCTION - For Sale in Opelika, AL

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:13:55 -0500

NEW CONSTRUCTION - Stephens Woods Subdivision
$199,900 (Appraised at $217,500)
4 Bedrooms/2.5 Baths
1772 Sq Ft

Call for Additional Information 706-888-3134

My favorite transformation(S) of 2008!!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:36:12 -0600

Yes...I said transformation(S)...plural. You see, I loved both of these projects and I really can't make up my mind :-)

This first house is a house that we bought, remodeled, and sold. I fell in love with this little house and was going to move into it, but someone else loved it to and wanted to buy it...so we sold it. Here are the before and after shots of the kitchen we remodeled!

The second house is a house that we staged for sale. It had been on the market for 18 months. The homeowners took the house off the market and did some major renovations and then staged it. The house sold within 3 months of being back on the market!

Wynning Interiors NEW website is LIVE!!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:01:14 -0600

Check us out online! We would love to know what you think!

Our website address has not changed. It is still www.wynninginteriors.com

Our previous website was designed by an online website design company. Our NEW website was designed by ME. I am much happier with it, as I have complete control over the layout AND the content. Now, all I need to do is figure out how to drive more traffic to it :-) Any suggestions...

Wynning Interiors, LLC Partners with GreenCastle Construction, Inc. in Opelika, AL

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:20:13 -0600

Wynning Interiors, LLC partners with GreenCastle Construction, Inc.!

When GreenCastle Construction builds your new home you will also get the services of a Dedicated Design Consultant from Wynning Interiors!

GreenCastle Construction also offers: Additions & Remodeling

GreenCastle Construction is a licensed residential contractor in Alabama and Georgia.

COMING SOON: A new website featuring the combined work efforts of GreenCastle Construction and Wynning Interiors!

Here's a sample of the combined efforts of GreenCastle Construction and Wynning Interiors:

Stephens Woods Subdivision
1118 Sawyer Drive, Opelika, Alabama
$212,500 with $1,500 in closing costs

Staging WORKS!! in Phenix City & Opelika, AL

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:23:11 -0500

I have heard all of the arguments...Staging won't work here...the market is too bad...this area is too small...I can't afford to stage. I must admit, starting a staging business...even I was nervous, but check this out...

We have been working with Carlton Builders, Inc. since July. To date, we have staged 4 houses and EVERY one has sold within 12 days of staging!!! The latest house we staged on Thursday and it sold over the weekend...in 3 DAYS!!!

This begs me to ask the following questions...
Are you sure that staging won't work in this area?
Isn't a bad market the perfect time to stage?
Are you sure this area is too small?
Can you afford NOT to stage?

Other builders have homes sitting for months and Carlton Builders, Inc. is selling houses as fast as they can complete and stage them. Can you really afford NOT to stage?

Just something to think about...

Staging your Vacant Home

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:49:15 -0500

It is common knowledge that it is easier to sell a furnished home than it is to sell an unfurnished home. However, staging vacant homes is very different from staging occupied homes.

Here are some tips to help you sell your vacant home:

A fresh coat of paint is extremely important in a vacant home. Even homes that are only a couple of years old can look shabby when vacant. A fresh coat of paint will brighten up the rooms and make them look new again.

Mow the grass, weed the flower beds and put out some season-appropriate bright colored flowers. Often forgotten, the landscaping is the buyer's first impression of your home.

Pressure wash the outside of your home (including the driveway). A home that is completely updated on the inside, but needs work on the exterior is still a home that needs work in the buyer's eyes. Today's buyers want a home that is move-in ready.

You don't need a lot of furniture. You want the homebuyer to look at the home for sale, not the furnishings. Accessory Staging - In most cases this is the best staging package for vacant homes. We stage the most important rooms...the entry/foyer, fireplace, kitchen and bathrooms. This is the perfect package (and our most popular) for builders.

UPDATE on Home Staging in Phenix City, AL - Coincidence? I don't think so!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:17:17 -0500

Wynning Interiors staged a house in Yorktown Subdivision in Phenix City, AL on March 7, 2008. Yesterday (June 23, 2008), the house went under contract to close in 15 days...only 15 weeks after staging!

In the staging world 15 weeks is a long time, BUT in Yorktown Subdivision 15 weeks is lightening fast! Prior to staging, the house was on the market for over a year.

I've posted about Yorktown before...the subdivision was not developed in phases and at times there have been at least 60 NEW (COMPLETED) houses for sale.

Do you find it a coincidence that a staged house sold in 15 weeks when other houses are still sitting? I don't! Neither does our builder, Richard Key Construction...we will be moving our simple accessory staging package to his next house in Yorktown.

Builders, Do you have a house that you need to sell? Why wouldn't you stage it?

The Forgotten Room

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:34:47 -0500

Whether staging a home for sale or decorating an existing home, the water closet is often the forgotten room. Too much decorating can make the room feel even smaller than the already small size. Too little decorating can make the room feel stark and forgotten. Just the right amount of decorating can make the room feel like an extension of the elegant master bathroom.

Home staging in Phenix City, Alabama raises new home temp 20 degrees!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:20:54 -0500

Below are some photos of a new home that we staged for Richard Key Construction in Phenix City, Alabama. This home makes a statement all by itself, but look at the difference a couple of paint colors and a simple accessory staging makes! The Realtors comment was that it instantly raised the temperature in the house by 20 degrees. She had more interest in the house in one day then she had in 6 months!

Placemats at Wal-Mart for .10!!!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:23:33 -0600

YES! You read correctly TEN CENTS!!! I didn't think I could buy anything for .10 anymore, but... I was shopping at Wal-Mart today and found a lot of things on clearance. In the Home department, on the endcap by the curtain aisle was a stack of placemats in the perfect yellow-green color to go with my accessories!! I bought 18 of them and only spent $1.80!!! I just couldn't believe it! There was also a stack of blue and cream placemats for .75 a piece.

Big SALE at Kirklands 'til Feb. 4th

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:48:28 -0600

Kirklands is my favorite store! I just love shopping there...and I generally spend money even when things aren't on sale! BUT...yesterday everything was on SALE! They are having a big sale...getting ready for new 2008 merchandise, I guess. I got some great accessories...2 pillows, 2 flower arrangements, 2 vases, 1 door mat, and a large picture that wasn't on sale :-) I asked how long the sale will last...and they said until Feb. 4th...You better believe I will be back again!!

Staging & Remodeling in Columbus, GA

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:24:22 -0600

Today's Real Estate Market demands 'move-in ready' houses! This is a house that someone can purchase and move into without making any changes. This is especially true for houses over $200K. For example, one house in Columbus, GA was located in a very desirable neighborhood and priced way below market value; yet, this house sat on the market for a year and a half with no offers. Why? The kitchen was out of date, the bathrooms were out of date, and there were minor repairs that needed to be completed. Yes, the house was a very good deal, but it was not 'move-in ready'. The old adage that you have to 'spend money to make money' happens to be true when it comes to Real Estate.

Staging is preparing your home for sale so that it will sell quickly for the most money. Staging can be as simple as rearranging your furniture or as difficult as a complete renovation. Staging and Renovating tend to go 'hand-in-hand' with each other. It is common knowledge that the most 'bang for your buck' comes from a kitchen remodel or a bathroom renovation...and don't forget landscaping aka curb appeal.

Wynning Interiors is now a 'one stop shop'! As a licensed contractor Wynning Interiors can help you create and execute your staging plan. We will work within your budget and timeline to renovate and stage your house. You don't have to spend your time calling around to find the best price on a hundred different things. Wynning Interiors will do all the work for you. We have a group of sub-contractors that we work with on a regular basis and we will make sure that your renovation gets done on time and with quality workmanship. When your renovation is complete, Wynning Interiors will stage your house to show off it's best qualities. Can you afford NOT to stage your house???

Set your house apart from all the rest - STAGE IT!

Our website is finally up and running!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:18:54 -0600

Our website is finally live!

Come check us out at www.wynninginteriors.com

On our website you can find information on our services, you can check out our photo gallery of before & after pictures, you can read more about me, Julie Wynn, and you can contact me for more information.

Check us out and let us know what you think. I can't wait to hear from all of you!

Staging your own house

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:07:22 -0600

As a stager, I considered it easy to 'stage' a house...until I tried to stage my own! I found that following my own staging recommendations is infinitely more difficult than staging a house belonging to someone else.

Why, you may ask, is it so difficult? Well, it is my house...where I live and play...I like my things...and I like the way I decorate. I recently received an e-mail from a respected 'fellow-stager' who experienced the same thing when she staged her home.

The upgrades, repairs, and renovations that you make are for someone else, not you. As a homeowner it can be difficult to separate what will appeal to the largest market of buyers vs what appeals to you and your family.

I have a friend who has a large, beautiful house in a country club. With their own sense of decorating style and a relative who is in the real estate business, they put their house on the market for 1.5 years with several severe price reductions (finally ending up way below market value). No offers! Puzzled, they asked for help. My opinion...the price point at which the house was listed demands perfection, not repairs and renovations. What happens next? The house is off the market and undergoing major renovations and repairs. Upon completion of the renovations and repairs the house will be put back on the market at the original asking price (before reductions). Am I confident making these recommendations to a friend? ABSOLUTELY! I am confident that the house will sell quickly at the original asking price! I'll keep you updated!

Wynning Interiors, LLC offers Home Staging and Redesign services to Phenix City, AL and Columbus, GA & the surrounding areas.

Set your house apart from all the rest...STAGE IT!

Accessory budget of $500???

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:03:24 -0500

Staging is new to Phenix City/Columbus, but it really does work!! Here is proof...

The entire house was staged on an accessory budget of $500. This room was $150 of that budget.

This house was on the market for 6 months with a Realtor in Phenix City, AL and didn't sell. After Staging the house sold in only 6 weeks with a simple FSBO sign (with an info tube and PICTURES) in the yard!

Breakfast Room BEFORE Staging by Wynning Interiors

Breakrast Room AFTER Staging by Wynning Interiors

Columbus/Phenix City housing market

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:41:55 -0500

Klaus Nicholson hit the proverbial nail on the head when he blogged about the market conditions in the Columbus/Phenix City area. Phenix City (Lee County in particular) is inundated with 3 BR/2BA houses between 1500 & 1800 square feet. I drove through Yorktown subdivision a couple of months ago and counted 60 newly completed houses for sale...this did not include the houses under construction. With this kind of competition sellers of existing homes need to make their home stand out from all the rest. This is where Professional Staging comes in to play!

Staging is new to the Columbus/Phenix City area, but what a difference it can make in the sale of your home. Statistically, staged homes sell faster and for a higher asking price than non-staged homes. Keep in mind that the cost of staging is usually less than your first price reduction! Also, check with your tax advisor, the staging fee may be a tax deductible expense for preparing your home for sale.

Maybe a staging consultation is for you. Some homeowners choose to complete the entire checklist of recommendations made during the consultation on their own. Others choose to have the Wynning Interiors Redesign team come in to do a staging redesign of their rooms. A staging redesign differs from a regular redesign in that we "de-personalize" the space to ensure that buyers can visualize moving their furniture and family into your Client's house.

Set your house apart from all the rest...STAGE IT!

Home Staging in Columbus, GA/Phenix City, AL is here!!

Julie Wynn (Wynning Interiors, LLC) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:45:53 -0500

Home Staging in Columbus, GA/Phenix City, AL is here!! Although the Real Estate market in this area is picking up a bit, it is still quite sluggish. Do you have a home that hasn't sold? Why not have a Certified Professional Home Stager come in for a consultation? Wynning Interiors is the first company in the Columbus, GA/Phenix City, AL area to offer Home Staging services by a SDP Certified Home Stager.

This staging consultation will involve a "walk through" from the front curb to the back yard with you and your Client. I'll make recommendations for updating, de-personalizing, furniture rearrangement, getting a head start on packing, painting, cleaning and repairs (though this isn't a home inspection) that will help you showcase the house's best features. And if you or your Client decide you want additional help. I'll follow up with a proposal for the Wynning Interiors team to do staging work in your Client's home.

Some homeowners choose to complete the entire checklist of recommendations made during the consultation on their own. Others choose to have the Wynning Interiors team come in to stage their rooms. We de-personalize the space to ensure that buyers can visualize moving their furniture and family into your Client's house.

Keep in mind that the cost of staging is usually less than your first price reduction! Also, check with your tax advisor, the staging fee may be a tax deductible expense for preparing your home for sale.

Vacant home staging is available. Pricing varies depending on the house and the amount of furniture/accessories needed.