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How to sell the "Spare Bedroom."

By
Home Stager with Triangle Staging and Design / founder of Stunning Solutions

Many properties on the market have the "spare bedroom" that is a catch-all for the odds and ends of the homeowners.  Usually, they are supposed to support more than one function and get all the hand-me-down decor.  Agreeably, these rooms are not the first impression areas of the house, but they do matter, none-the-less.

A spare bedroom is a great place to add value to a home.  It's staging transformation is often the most dramatic of all the rooms in the house.  And, typically, sellers express regret that they never capitalized on the potential of these spaces while they were living in the home.  Agents are also wowed by the transformations as they now have a much more competitive product that they can market. 

A case in point:  A beautiful 3 bedroom ranch in Clayton, NC.  In it's price point and specific zip code there are over 60 homes on the market.  To stand out in this crowd the seller can't afford to show 2 working bedrooms and a "spare" room.  And, at 1600 SF the property needs to prove that every inch is functional, beautiful, spacious, and worthy of a great offer.

Sellers usually run out of steam, here, when it comes to protecting their ROI.  Home stagers do not!  We see the transformation in our minds and then make it a reality.  The result . . . this house had a fabulous offer the first week.  That is ROI protection!

Raleigh home staging

 

Raleigh home staging

 

Raleigh home staging

Email me with questions about your sellers' homes. 

Stunning Solutions is a proud member of Triangle Staging and Design

Contact our design team at 919-995-4116.

 

Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

I love the "spare bedroom" angle.  What a great idea.  I don't know how home staging is in your area right now, but in So Calif we are mostly dealing with bank owned vacant houses, and nobody wants to spend the money.  I think home staging will be a really great thing once our market comes back. 

Nov 23, 2009 10:09 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

What a great transformation from a Catch All to a Bedroom retreat!  Buyers need to see the true function of the room when viewing a property.  Once it's their home, they can do whatever they like with the space.

Nov 23, 2009 12:51 PM
Lori Cain
Own Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

I'm selling my personal home that has been occupied by renters the last four years. Yesterday I showed the home to my home stager, and she wants to make what I used for a spare bedroom/office the master bedroom and use what I considered the master as the spare bedroom - completely fip-flopping the two. I was totally shocked by some of her suggestions, but I know from experience that she's always spot on. What do I know? I'm just the Seller AND the Realtor?  LOL!

Nov 24, 2009 05:10 AM
Kate Talarico
Kates Home Staging and Interior Design - Goshen, NY
RESA, Top Orange County Home Decorator & Stager

I like the bed on an angle, this is a great idea when you only have a few items in the bedroom.  Very nice transformation.

Nov 24, 2009 10:06 AM
Suzanne Metz
Design to Appeal - Medicine Hat, AB

A beautiful transformation!

Nov 25, 2009 02:47 PM
Susan Macaulay
Clarity Over Clutter - Winnipeg, MB

Nice before and after photos.  A 'spare bedroom' is undefined.  Turning any space back to its original intent is the best way to present a property.  When the time is taken to prepare the property, prospective buyers have a clear picture of what they are viewing.

Nov 25, 2009 05:00 PM
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

Hony, your transformation makes a world of difference.  Thanks for sharing.

Nov 29, 2009 05:07 AM
melody salazar
Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

Absolutely love what you did with this room!

I especially loved the simple but dramatic fabric above the bed.  Where did you find that idea?  Could you share how you do that?  It's such a neat way to create a much more beautiful headboard look. 

You took an eyesore and made it into a selling point.  Great job!

Mel

Nov 30, 2009 01:49 AM
Linda Jandura
Raleigh Cary Realty - Apex, NC
Realtor, North Carolina Buyer & Seller Specialist

great staging- love the bedroom angle. Good to know a stager in our area.

Nov 30, 2009 02:42 AM
Linda Jandura
Raleigh Cary Realty - Apex, NC
Realtor, North Carolina Buyer & Seller Specialist

great staging- love the bedroom angle. Good to know a stager in our area.

Nov 30, 2009 02:42 AM
Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

What a soothing, pretty space!  Purple is so "in" right now, too.  So, on trend, on point, and right ON the money!  Wahoo!  Does it get any better than that?

Nov 30, 2009 11:24 AM
Honey Johnson
Triangle Staging and Design / founder of Stunning Solutions - Raleigh, NC

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

Mel - you asked about how to make the fabric "headboard" - it is so simple.  Fold a flat sheet into an accordian shape and secure it with a rubber band at one end.  Flare out the top and hang the rubber band on a nail placed near the ceiling.  I like to leave a little space above the flare so that the sheet is not crammed into the corner.  You can cover the band with ribbon or raffia if needed.  Push the bed into the corner and secure the lower sides of the sheet to the wall with Zots.  This is one of the tricks I learned in my staging training and it is perfect when you are limited to only what the homeowner has in order to make a transformation.

Nov 30, 2009 03:33 PM
Suzanne Metz
Design to Appeal - Medicine Hat, AB

This is exactly what a spare bedroom you look like! Well done!

Dec 01, 2009 12:47 PM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

I really like the transformation.  Taking out all the clutter made the room look so large.  You did a fantasic job!!!

Dec 01, 2009 02:58 PM
melody salazar
Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

Honey,

Thanks so much for taking the time to send instructions.  I'm sure many of us will use this neat trick.

It really is a fun look,

Mel

Dec 02, 2009 03:42 AM
Monica Stanciu
Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc. - Markham, ON
Staged 2 Sell Solutions, Markham, ON

Honey, this is a great transformation indeed. Great work!

Dec 06, 2009 11:22 AM