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Staging Helps Affordable Housing Development Shine

By David Peterson

Home Stager with Synergy Staging ~ specializing in vacant home staging

August 30, 2010 01:48 PM

Our Portland home staging company gets contacted by many different types of potential clients. Recently a Community Land Trust called to see if we would be interested in donating our home staging services for a new affordable housing development in our neighborhood that was targeted to families of moderate means. We haven’t provided a complimentary full staging in the past, but this idea sounded interesting, so we met with the Executive Director at the property.

We were happy to discover the wonderful vision of the Clackamas Community Land Trust which was to provide permanently affordable homeownership opportunities, to assist and educate people of low and modest income to become homeowners and to expand the inventory of permanently affordable, environmentally responsible homes.

This was an idea that we could get behind and wanted to support. We’d been looking for ways to give back to our community through our company and this seemed like the right fit. That it was in our neighborhood made it all the more appealing. And they are going to be LEED Platinum certified homes which is amazing considering that the homes are in the range of $115k to $135k.

We staged one model home for the 12 house development. It was considered the most challenging due to it’s floor plan. It is a one level home with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The small living room and open kitchen made it very challenging for potential buyers to imagine how to set up the space without professional staging.

Here are some before and after photos. The first two are taken from the front door looking left and right.

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging Juneberry Project - Oregon City - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Because of the price point of the house, and the target buyers, we used furnishings and decor that were affordable and easy to purchase so people can see that they can live this way if they choose to. Just because a home has a low sales price doesn’t mean that it can’t look beautiful.

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This vacant home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging. Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly! Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.

Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster.

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Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

You are so right David!! It does look absolutely beautiful! How wonderful you were able to give back not only to your community but in your own neighborhood. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!

Aug 30, 2010 01:54 PM

Leanne Zumbrunnen

Z Touch Design Services - Lenexa, KS

Well, they certainly don't look low income now! Great thinking to put more affordable items in there so people might be able to duplicate.

Aug 30, 2010 02:17 PM

Kathy Nielsen

http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

What an amazing opportunity to give back, David.

The home turned out beautiful.

Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.

Kathy

Aug 30, 2010 11:12 PM

Palma Minnich

In2itive Design - Charleston, SC

Home Stager, Charleston, SC

What a great job you did! I love your use of affordable furnishings. I would like to ask you...

Did you use any of your own accessories for this? (which could be older and unavailable) Or was everything new and readily available for some who purchases today?

Did you use rented furnishings? Or, again, did you use readily available new furniture? Where you able to get a deal on the furnishings in return for advertising the store's products?

I am asking this because I am bidding on a similar project. Thanks for your help?

Aug 31, 2010 12:44 AM

Diane Williams

Pell City, AL

Beautifully done, it amazing how staging makes a house feel like a home.

Aug 31, 2010 12:57 AM

Kimberley Hawley

Hawley Interiors & Staging - Caledon, ON

Hawley Interiors & Staging

Good for you! The house looks fantastic.

Aug 31, 2010 01:31 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi David -- you and Nik did such a nice job on this home...and what a bonus that it's in your neighborhood. I'm sure it will create lots of good will as well.

Aug 31, 2010 04:11 AM

Kathy Burke

Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA

S.F. East Bay Home Staging

WOW....the place looks simply amazing and for such a great cause. FANTASTIC!!!!

Aug 31, 2010 04:31 AM

Sally Weatherley

EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

David - What a great project. I can't believe the low prices of the homes. I always equate LEED homes with a costlier price. That was really thoughtful to use lower priced items that were in reach of the people looking at the homes. And yet, you didn't sacrifice presentation or style. Great job!

Aug 31, 2010 05:54 AM

Anonymous

Annie Pinsker-Brown

Beautiful work for a great cause - you can't beat that! I do a lot of work with affordable housing as well. Mine has been in designing all the common spaces for the residents. I just love it!

Aug 31, 2010 06:03 AM

#11

Julia Maher

Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT

Connecticut Home Stager

David: You didn't "design down", and look at the incredible results on a budget. Julie

Aug 31, 2010 06:58 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

David,

No matter what you touch it turns to gold! I'm in agreement with Sally even though you used lower cost furniture you certainly did not sacrifice presentation or style. Outstanding!

Aug 31, 2010 09:25 AM

Joshua Zargari

MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY

MJ Decorators Workshop

Very nice work!

Aug 31, 2010 12:58 PM

David Peterson

Synergy Staging ~ specializing in vacant home staging - Portland, OR

Home Stager Portland OR-Synergy Staging-Portland Oregon

Kathleen ~ Thanks. We thought it was a good opportunity to help new buyers see the potential of the homes.

Cathy ~ It's actually the closest staging we've ever done which was pretty great! Appreciate your comments.

Leanne ~ We think it's important to stage with furnishings that are appropriate for the price levels of each home we work in. By using affordable furnishings potential buyers can see how they can actually live.

Kathy ~ Thanks for your comments and the feature. It's always appreciated and your compliments mean alot to us.

Aug 31, 2010 05:05 PM

David Peterson

Synergy Staging ~ specializing in vacant home staging - Portland, OR

Home Stager Portland OR-Synergy Staging-Portland Oregon

Palma ~ All the decor and furnishings are from our inventory. The majority in this house from Ikea and Pier 1. Even if these specific items aren't avaiable, the idea they convey allows potential buyers to see how they could live in the space. Since these are from retail stores there is no discount in exchange for advertising. Putting that sort of trade together would take way more time than it is worth, especially since we donated our staging and one month of furnishing rental.

Diane ~ Thank you. Staging does make a house feel like a home which is why staged houses typically sell faster.

Kimberly ~ Thanks!

Maureen ~ This just seemed like the right project to do for lots of reasons. We are hoping that it helps people who wouldn't normally be able to buy houses become home owners.

Kathy ~ Thanks for your coments.

Aug 31, 2010 05:11 PM

David Peterson

Synergy Staging ~ specializing in vacant home staging - Portland, OR

Home Stager Portland OR-Synergy Staging-Portland Oregon

Sally ~ It is surprising that they are able to build LEED homes at such a discounted price. Just a few years ago the process made most houses out of reach for most buyers, and now affordable housing projects will have this distinction. We think it's great!

Annie ~ Thanks for your feedback. Designing common spaces seems like that would be fun and challenging.

Julia ~ We think it's important not to design down, while at the same time not going to upscale based on the price point. I'm glad you like how it turned out.

David ~ Appreciate your comments. It is a great project and we were glad to learn of the organization and get involved.

Linda ~ Thank you! I don't know about gold - but we'd be happy with turning to sold! =)

Joshua ~ Thanks!

Aug 31, 2010 05:17 PM

Jill Banks,

Happily Better After Room Redesign & Home Staging - Mt Laurel, NJ

South Jersey Home Stager

You did a wonderful job, David. The rooms are gorgeous, and potential buyers won't have any problem seeing how their furnishings can fit into a home with a challenging layout. Kudos to you for giving back to the community, and demonstrating that staging can work for homes at any price point, not just those in the luxury market!

Sep 01, 2010 03:57 AM

David Peterson

Synergy Staging ~ specializing in vacant home staging - Portland, OR

Home Stager Portland OR-Synergy Staging-Portland Oregon

Jill ~ It is true that staging can work at every price level and we love to work with all types of homes. Thanks for your nice comments.

Sep 03, 2010 03:44 PM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Great job! Staging low end properties adds richness which is PRICELESS! :)

Sep 11, 2010 08:17 AM

David Peterson

Synergy Staging ~ specializing in vacant home staging - Portland, OR

Home Stager Portland OR-Synergy Staging-Portland Oregon

Janice ~ Thanks for the feedback. Staging helps all properties look their best, and many times lower cost properties need more help than luxury homes.

Sep 13, 2010 03:40 AM