Simply Staged Inc. was hired to stage this beautiful Belvidere home and pleased to report that it has gone under contract in 45 days!  These results are especially impressive as the home was listed at $510,000. 

Teamwork on behalf of the sellers, Realtor, Frank Wehrstein of Dickerson & Nieman, and Simply Staged Inc. produced the outstanding results. We were happy to play our part in the selling process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging and redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com

 

 

This beautiful Loves Park home is only three years new with all the upgrades.  The homeowners did everything right.  The finishes and selections made when the home was built are neutral, beautiful, and will appeal to many. 

The home is q-tip clean and still feels like new construction.  However, now that it is time to sell, the new construction look can be both positive and negative.  Positive because the home has been extremely well cared for, not cluttered or use of personal paint colors, etc.  So WHY do you need to bring in a professional home stager? 

For the same reason builders stage their spec homes or condo developments stage their models.  WOW FACTOR!  Staging can bring in the drama and warmth that appeals to potential buyers.  Professional staging presents a lifestyle in which potential buyers aspire to.   

Here are a few of the before/after photos.  It is still the seller's furniture, just repurposed slightly and Simply Staged Inc. rental accessories added to what was already there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging & redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com

 

 

Simply Staged was hired to stage this vacant Rockford home.  As a professional, full-service staging company serving Rockford and the Stateline area, we are committed to showcasing your home to its fullest potential.  We carry a full line of rental furniture and accessories to compliment your home.  View more examples of our work at simplystagedinc.com.  Traditional to contemporary, occupied or vacant, we are your Rockford Area Home Staging Experts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging & redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website at simplystagedinc.com

 

Simply Staged Inc. had the pleasure of working on this occupied home located in Rockford, IL.  We utilized some of the home seller's existing furniture and added a few pieces of rental furniture.  Simply Staged rental accessories were also brought in to showcase the home. 

Many thanks to the home sellers who so tirelessly painted, cleaned, packed and made a few updates.  Simply Staged provided the recommendations and they decided to do the prep work themselves, which had a positive impact on the budget.  Teaming up with Rockford Area Home Staging Expert ensures your home will be showcased to its fullest potential. 

 

 

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging & redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional to Contemporary. . .

                    Condos to Custom Homes. . .

                               First Time Home Sellers to Million Dollar Estates. . .

 

Simply Staged Inc. is your experienced, full service, professional home staging company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.

 

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging and redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Roscoe, and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com

 

When it's time to sell your home, defining rooms for potential buyers is crucial. 

Below is an actual MLS photo before staging followed by the current MLS photo after staging.  There is a reason you are only seeing the fireplace in the first photo.  The sellers were using this room as an office.  The Realtor didn't want to photograph that portion of the room since they knew that is not how potential buyers would be living in the space. 

The sofa/love seat area in the "after" photo was actually home to a large "L" shaped desk, upper wall cabinets and a bookshelf.  (sorry, no photo available)  While it was convenient for living, it was confusing to potential buyers. 

Simply Staged Inc. repurposed furniture and accessories throughout the home to define the space.  Bringing in a television and seating area from another area of the home left no question in the buyer's mind as to what the room's purpose was. 

MLS Photo Before Staging 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLS Photo After Staging 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Realtor and home seller knew that staging the home was crucial for selling and attracting online interest.  Working with a Professional Home Stager will ensure your home is being showcased to its potential as well as provide more attractive photos for your online presence.  With over 84% of potential buyers starting their home search online, it is important to capture their interest with your online photos.

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging and redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website at simplystagedinc.com

 

 

 

 

Visiting Activerain has become part of my daily routine.  For me, morning coffee and AR just go together.  Most days it is to learn something new, keep up with what is happening in the industry and occasionally blog. 

I certainly don't blog daily, or even weekly.  (working on that)  I am still getting comfortable with blogging, so I read more blogs than I write. 

Points are not why we blog.  If that were the case, I would be failing miserably considering the amount of time I have been a member.  Sure, points are fun to watch accumulate as we earn them, but they are not the driving force behind the time we spend on AR. 

Something I didn't realize is how it would impact potential clients and how they viewed my company and experience - warranted or not.  Once again, I had a client inform me they saw Simply Staged online and we had thousands of points.  For them that translated into experience and knowledge.

It became a positive factor when they were researching and selecting a staging company to work with.  The first time someone mentioned points they called it "ranking" and I wasn't sure what they were referring to.  I explain AR and how points are accumulated when given the opportunity, but what about all those who don't tell me that was a factor in their selection.  I chalk it up to another way Activerain helps grow our business and online reputation. 

Thank you Activerain for the valuable online relationships with peers and leaders in the industry, excellent online presence, and helping me start each day learning something new.  Oh yeah. . .and those points too!

When selling a home we all know it starts at the curb.  If you can't get them in, how are you ever going to sell it? 

Today I would like to focus on once you get them through the front door.  What do you see?  First impressions are extremely important.  They convey a feeling and set you up for what to expect as you tour the home.  If you lose them in the important "first 10 seconds" the likelihood of recapturing them throughout the rest of the tour is minimal. 

This is a before/after photo of a home in Leaf River, IL that Simply Staged worked on this week.  The photo was taken from the front door.  It is the important "first 10 seconds" as you enter the home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see in the "after" photo, the fireplace and hardwood floors are stunning.  In fact, the hardwoods were milled from trees taken directly from the property.  Too important of an feature to be lost in the photograph or covered with furniture.

If your home is currently on the market, what are your "first 10 seconds" saying?

 

Simply Staged Inc.is a Professional Home Staging & Redesign company serving Rockford IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website at simplystagedinc.com

 

 

 

 

 

Who knew beautiful floors were hiding under the carpet?  The homeowners, that's who!  This Belvidere homeowner loved the blue room, but realized when it became time to sell it was too personal.  It was less costly to refinish the floors than replace with a neutral carpet.  As you can see, we staged the home with the seller's belongings. 

Living Room BEFORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Living Room AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Living Room BEFORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Living Room AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living Room BEFORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Living Room AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a Professional Home Staging & Redesign Company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website at simplystagedinc.com

 

At this rate I will need to hire an assistant just to answer all the inquiries from people calling to tell me they would like to become a home stager.  Not only do they want to be a stager in the same area in which I am located, they want to know everything about how I am running my successful staging company. 

I try to be helpful, but also don't know if it is wise to share everything with a direct competitor. 

I am all for competition.  I was not the first home stager in the Stateline.  There are plenty of homes to stage in our area, but I have stopped short of calling my direct competition and asking them to share their business model, marketing strategy, pricing structure, who they work with, etc.

Am I being selfish or wise? 

Isn't Activerain all about sharing?  How do I justify not sharing when AR has been so instrumental in building my business?  The willingness of others to share their experiences and knowledge with the hope that others may learn or gain from it.  Is there a way to share without hurting your business?  Yes, I believe there is!

I found that for me personally, the best way to handle these calls is to give them options when answering their questions.  Who's to say my business model will work for them?  Why not share a couple options and let them choose or modify as they see fit.

For example, the most common question relates to pricing.  "I am not sure what to charge in our area.  What do you charge?" 

Well, my rates are not really a big secret, but there are several ways to approach this aspect of the business.  Some stagers like to charge by the hour, some by the square footage, some by the job, etc.  I don't necessarily answer the question directly, but offer many options for them to choose and advise they should select a method that best suits their needs.  After all, isn't that one of advantages of owning your own business?  You can tailor it to suit your needs.

Do you think Macy's & Nordstrom readily share information?  What about Walmart and Target?  Do they show each other their upcoming promotions and advertisements?

How do you feel about sharing information with direct competition?  Are you more comfortable sharing information with those that are not working in your area?