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All I did was.... suggest the client declutter and look what happened!

By Michelle Finnamore

Home Stager with Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket 416.928.2999

June 22, 2009 07:07 AM

In this home staging in Mississauga I would like to show Realtors and Homeowners the importance of decluttering a home to prepare it for sale. Living in your home is one thing, however, when it is a product for sale you must make every effort to present your home in it's best possible light. You have competition so don't give buyers an opportunity to low ball their offer on your home based on it's lacklustre condition.

All I did was suggest to the client at 3405 Hurontario that they declutter the kitchen so that the beautiful upgraded cabinets were highlighted and the dining area looked like you could entertain your friends and family in comfort. I also suggested that a dining room fixture be installed to complete the sofisticated, urban look to the condo. Look at these outstanding results.

Investment, minimal.

Impact, priceless.

home staging in mississauga

Winner of the Trailblazer Company of the Year Award 2009.

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Larry DeGroat

Realty Professionals, Inc. - Searcy, AR

ABR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI in Searcy

I told a customer to do this once and it looked like a totally different place. It does work!

Jun 22, 2009 07:13 AM

Kate Wheeler

Country Homes and Land Murphy NC Realtor - Murphy, NC

CCIM - Murphy NC Real Estate for Sale

It's nice to see that a major impact can be made with NO cash outlay! Thanks for the great photos.

Jun 22, 2009 07:14 AM

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

This is a great example of what a little cleaning and decluttering can do.

Jun 22, 2009 07:14 AM

Gloria Todor

Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA

& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Thanks for this post Michelle.
It is so important for Sellers to do this for it frees up space for Buyers to visualize their personal items in a house that they visit.
We recently showed a house to a Buyer and the owners were sitting watching TV along with all their photos and "clutter" of everyday living!
Our Client upon moving on to the next house said "Looks like they really don't want to move".
So true!

Gloria

Jun 22, 2009 07:24 AM

Gary Coles (International Referrals)

Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV

Latin America Real Estate

Michelle,

Great example. Thanks for sharing. At first it looks like a totally different home. I will save these photos for my clients.

Please remember me if you learn of anyone investing or moving to Latin America and I will do the same for you! Thank you.

Sincerely,

Gary Coles, Broker ABR, CIPS, CRP, CRS, GMS, GRI, RCC, TRC, WRS

2000 President, Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors®

Jun 22, 2009 07:27 AM

Dianne Deming

RE/MAX Realty Group - Rehoboth Beach, DE

Great job, to you AND your Sellers! You should make 8x10 copies of before and after shots, and show them to future clients who stubbornly refuse to "see" the advantage of cleaning up the joint!

Jun 22, 2009 07:27 AM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

WOW! That doesn't look like the same place at all!

Jun 22, 2009 07:30 AM

Marcy Eastham

Town & Country Realty Corvallis Oregon - Corvallis, OR

Great exmples of what a difference just picking up can do! I always say that once you list your house, it isn't yours any more. Here's your opportunity to start packing for your move!

Looks like a really nice place -- once you can see it!

Jun 22, 2009 07:31 AM

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT

St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Michelle, Have you sold it yet?! It looks fabulous!

Jun 22, 2009 07:35 AM

Margaret Woda

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD

Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Love it... great job on your part and the client's.

Jun 22, 2009 07:49 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

Hi Larry, it does work like magic! It is truly remarkable what a little elbow grease can accomplish along with a few cardboard boxes.

Hi Kate, I do quite a few of my clients with budgets under $300. I am what you call a creative staging guru.

HI Michelle, I know it's been said a thousand times here on AR - declutter, it's your best least expensive way to show space and light in a property.

Hi Gloria, that is my question to the client- how much do you really want to move? Their answer is the proof in the pudding when they get the decluttering done a couple of days.

Hi Gary, you can always reblog my posts to your clients or include them in your newsletter as long as you give credit to my company. Thank you for dropping in to see my work. I will keep you in mind for those that are moving down south.

Hi Dianne, I love your enthusiasm for my work! It really is hard for homeowners to see their clutter as overbearing to newcomers. They see it everyday and it just kind of grows on them.

HI Donna, exactly! It is now the much improved super fabulous condo that buyers want to live in!

Hi Marcy, that is what I say on my home page of my site. When you list a house it is now a product for sale!

Hi Wanda, hasn't sold yet, a few viewings already, very positive feedback. They are listed at the high end for the square footage in the building.

Hi Margaret, I agree, the homeowners deserve all the accolades for following the staging suggestions so thoroughly. Kudos to them for a job well done.

Jun 22, 2009 08:55 AM

Laurie Calhoun

Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL

Seminole County FL Home Stager

You know, decluttering is THE fundamental in getting a home ready to sell. It all starts there, and then good things can happen. What a difference you made! Great job!

Jun 22, 2009 03:04 PM

Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

The gained equity! Great job!

Jun 22, 2009 04:35 PM

Lori Kim Polk

Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA

Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Wooo Hooo! Looks fabulous. I also love that car pix. You are too cute!

Jun 22, 2009 05:09 PM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Michelle - once again you've done an excellent job.

Congratulations. Your post is being featured in the group; Staging Before and After Pictures.

Kathy

Jun 23, 2009 02:53 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

Hi Laurie, it's true without the initial decluttering it would be very difficult to make an impact with the staging suggestions. Thank goodness, these clients took all the suggestions to heart.

Hi Cathy, gained equity for sure. Being priced at the top end for the square footage in the building they had to do whatever they could to increase the perceived value in their unit.

Hi Lori, Love getting the Woo Hooo from you! I felt 10 feet tall when I saw the final results of the staging suggestions. You should see me shopping around town in my little convertible. You never know what you will see sticking out of my little sports car!

Hi Kathy, thank you so much! That is awesome. I will let my clients know that all their hard work following the staging suggestions has paid off in more way than one.

Jun 23, 2009 05:50 AM

Chrissie Sutherland

Ready Set Stage - Greensboro, NC

OMG!!! The difference is amazing. You are the girl. Great job!!

Jun 26, 2009 05:36 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

Hi Chrissie, it really is amazing what a little time spent packing up can do isn't it?

Jun 26, 2009 08:26 AM