Today I staged a space that had some real challenges.  The unit was a decent size for downtown, but it was 3 floors, each with only one room.  The issue?  I disagreed with the agent/owner as to how the unit should be promoted.  In the end, the client won - it's their property & their money.  I did my best to overcome the issues presented. 

These are the current MLS photos:

Kitchen living/dining combo

Master bedroom

 

This is what I created & the photos I have given the agent to replace the MLS photos:

    

 

Here is also a real estate show I created for this home, something I now do with all of my staging jobs...

The budget on this home was low & I actually wanted to do it differently - but that's another story.  If you were looking for this type of property, which would you more likely visit - the home with the first set of photos or the second? 

One of the biggest things professional stagers do is to entice buyers to visit the property.  The more buyers that actually come to the property, the higher the odds of a sale (& better offer)! 

If you are in the Charleston market & looking for a way to set your listings apart, give me a call.   

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign is a nationally award winning company owned and operated in Summerville, SC a suburb of Charleston, SC.  We provide high quality staging for both occupied and vacant homes in the greater surrounding areas and beyond!  For more information please visit, www.WeStageSC.com.  If you are interested in learning about making Home Staging your profession, please visit, www.StagingAndRedesign.com for more information.

 
This post has been included in South Carolina Information

19 Comments on Staging Small Spaces - Eliminating Obstacles

JUN
22
2007
101,225 Points 1 Featured Post Hit Router
Beautiful job!  It looks so much warmer and more inviting.  Great job!

3:49pm • #1
201,151 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I think it looks great, bedroom is a little bare...but doesn't look like much room to put anything!  Changing pictures in MLS should REALLY help.
3:57pm • #2
216,758 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Mary -NO, there isn't any room in this space, which is one of the issues I had.  In my opinion, this actually should have been the living room of the home, the downstairs (shown as the living room/dining area) should have been a dining area w/bar, etc & the 3rd floor should have been the master bedroom. There is only 1 bath in the home, which is on the 2nd floor so the agent/owner wanted to make this the master.  In my opinion, that actually makes it worse as I wouldn't want to send guests upstairs (to the bedroom) to use the only bathroom.... on the 3rd floor there is a private balcony, but no closets.  It's a strange home.  I don't feel the current layout is the best, but it's what I had to work with. 
4:01pm • #3

Staged ALWAYS looks better than empty.  You did a great job and the photos you took were much better than before.

4:18pm • #4
158,223 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Strange space.  Hard to call it a house.  You did wonders with what you had!
4:41pm • #5
140,730 Points 62 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Wow Melissa, great job! It looks like a totally different home, very warm and lived in. Thanks for sharing...

realtor marketing, real estate agent branding, closing gifts

6:32pm • #6
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
Hey, Melissa. Big improvement and your photos are warm and welcoming. I checked out your real estate show. Very nice, just one thing, you may have caught it already, but the word gourmet was misspelled. Hope you don't mind me pointing that out! sorry I used to be an editor! Thanks for all the sharing you do, you are very generous. Rhonda
8:08pm • #7
191,040 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I love what you did!!!  I think the place looks night/day different and is now much more warm and inviting.

Kathy

8:34pm • #8
1 Featured Post
Good job Melissa.  The new pictures look very inviting.
9:42pm • #9
3 Featured Posts
Beautiful job Melissa.....as always!  Wouldn't be nice if we could always just go with our own "vision" and sellers would just trust us?  
11:15pm • #10
JUN
23
2007

Hi Melissa,

Your photo's look great! You did a good job with what you had to work with! I went on a consultation Tuesday and I had similer obstacles with the owner. She wanted to show the seating area off the master as a workout room and I show it as a seating retreat in the master, she wouldn't listen. What do you do? just back down? I really tried to explain my logic but she just wouldn't listen! Any suggestions?

12:05am • #11
Melissa - love the decor.. do you rent from a company or do you have your own inventory?
12:10am • #12
216,758 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Rhonda - Thanks for the heads up!  I'll go correct that immediately.  It seems so easy to miss one litle thing that can really increase/reduce the level of professionalism.  I appreciate you watching my back!

Teresa & Penny - Good grief it really would be nice if they would let us do our jobs - I mean this is what they are hiring us for!  My opinion on this is to be clear and firm.  Give solid reasons why your answer is better.  In the end, it is their home, their money - do what they want.  Perform the job the best you can within their perameters.  If it doesn't sell, I remind them that I wanted to do it differently.   

Heather - I do occassionally rent.  I don't have a good rental company here so mostly I use my own furniture.  This home was done with 100% of my inventory.  The couch I just bought from Havertys back room.  Great, supple leather - $450.  It is actually a loveseat, but it feels like an apartment/condo sized couch.  For the bedroom, I've given up on blow up beds, I have too many problems with them deflating (even brand new ones) so I've gone to 2 box springs.  They are easier to move & cost less than a mattress & box. 

8:00am • #13
119,244 Points Outside Blog
Wow!!!!  What a transformation!!!  Love the living room and the couch looks very comfy!!  I'm sure the agent and clients were HAPPY with the results!!  Did the lamps come from Kirkland?  I really like them!!
9:01am • #14
JUN
25
2007
Looks great Melissa! I love the leather sofa...may have to visit the backroom this week!
7:49pm • #15
Melissa, looks great, very warm and inviting
8:43pm • #16
It came out great!  I love the seating arrangement you did in the kitchen/ dining room.  It is warm and cozy!  Sue
9:03pm • #17
145,213 Points

Melissa,

Is that really wine on the table...sure looks like the real thing.   Love your idea of using 2 box springs.  I'm still using the inflatables but I always worry about the deflation issues.   

Great job and very inviting! 

 

9:26pm • #18
216,758 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Yes, it is real wine.  I had a new years party 2 years ago and everyone brought me wine. I don't drink - well, almost never - so what wasn't consumed at the party has become props! lol....

The box springs have really worked out.  They are only about 1/3 more the cost and I don't have to worry about deflating beds, holes, etc.  This is my new plan.  I think I really screw up Sam's Club's inventory though... buying all those box springs but no mattresses! lol....

9:40pm • #19

This blog does not allow anonymous comments

 
Rainmaker_large

Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.RedesigningCharleston.com

Charleston, SC

More about me…

First Impressions

Office Phone: (843) 822-2622

Cell Phone: (843) 822-2622

Email Me

Get great free widgets at Widgetbox!


Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find SC real estate agents and Charleston real estate on ActiveRain.