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This 1969 House Undergoes a Cosmetic Update in Portland

By Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Home Stager with Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR

April 17, 2011 03:40 PM

A few months ago, the sweetest elderly woman in Portland OR contacted me for a staging consultation. Her 1969 home (that she and her late husband had built) had been on the market for 6 months without a sale. She thought it might need staging (her previous listing agent hadn't suggested it, but this savvy seller did her own research and decided that staging could help). I met her at the house to give her my advice for easy cosmetic updates, and she moved out and got right to work! She then hired a new agent and had me return to stage the house. The seller and her new listing agent felt that the target buyer would likely be a younger family, since this home is in a highly-rated school district.

If you saw this "before" photo in the online listing would you rush out to see this house? Here's the Entry... portland oregon home staging

After the wallpaper & the sconces were removed, and the walls were painted, it has a different vibe ... home staging portland

In the kitchen nook, the wallpaper and the lace valance made the house feel like another era ... portland home staging and redesign

With fresh paint & a new floor, suddenly it's updated for a younger family ... portland real estate staging

In this bedroom, you might think the wallpaper is quaint but dated ... home stagers multnomah county oregon

After removing the wallpaper & replacing the dated light fixture, it's ready for a new owner ... portland oregon home staging

The living room was full of lovely but dated furnishings, not likely to appeal to the younger target buyer .... oregon home staging

Removing window coverings & the brass screen, and adding new paint, it now shows as move-in ready ... home stagers portland OR

The previous listing photo shows the dining area / family room combo with dated wood paneling ... portland real estate staging oregon real estate stagers

The paneling was removed, revealing sheet rock underneath that just needed taping & some fresh paint ... home staging multnomah county

Just a few changes can make your dated home ready for its close up shots! Contact your local professional home stager for advice on easy updates that will ensure your home appeals to the target buyer. Save time and money by spending a little upfront!

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Michelle Minch

Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA

Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA

What an amazing transformation, Maureen! You really brought this home into the 21st Century.

Apr 18, 2011 02:38 AM

Sally Weatherley

EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Maureen - I know one shouldn't generalize, but most elderly people don't like change. I think it's wonderful that this 86 year young woman was open to change, and wanted to do whatever was necessary to sell this house. I know wallpaper is making a comeback, just not this style of wallpaper!

The before photos shout "granny". The after photos shout "young, hip, ready-to-move-in". I suspect this house will fly off the shelf now. Keep us posted.

Apr 18, 2011 04:36 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Thanks, Debbie ~ paneling and wallpaper were so popular back then!

Hi Valerie ~ Yes, they found a good home. They do remind me of a vintage soda shop too.

Hi Kathy ~ this neighborhood has one of the best elementary schools in the district ... and with 3 bedroom and 3 bathrooms, it's likely going to be a younger family who buys it. Thank you very much for featuring this in Staging Before & After Pictures:-)

Hi Michelle ~ there was no remodeling done since the seller wanted to keep expenses under a certain budget. But simple updates allowed the home to be updated without breaking the bank.

Hi Sally ~ You're spot on about this "young at heart" seller! I was amazed that she knew that home staging could help this home be presented differently, and that she did her online research, and also uses email! She is just delightful to work with.

Apr 18, 2011 04:56 AM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Another WOWza Maureen. This home is now of another era. Like Kristine I keep hoping that our local seniors will come around to making the changes that sell houses today. You are the pro. at getting people on-board with GETTING IT SOLD.

Apr 18, 2011 05:29 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I not only love the dinette, I think it would look awesome with the artwork you used, LOL! I'm happy to hear her family is keeping it. Fabulous job as always...hope it finds a new family really soon!

Apr 18, 2011 05:40 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Ginger ~ I know your challenges with many seniors in your area! The advantage here is that staging has become more well-known as an excellent marketing tool. Thanks for your support, as always!

Hi Sharon ~ You're right, that dinette is wonderful and it's nice that her family is keeping it. Thanks for your good wishes!

Apr 18, 2011 06:07 AM

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi

NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL

708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Maureen: Looking at some of these pictures, it almost seems as though you are in two entirely different homes even prior to your coming in and staging. Just different styles all within the same house. Everything from more formal to retro. (Although I have to tell you, I loved the yellow dinette set. Very cool!) And as usual, you have worked your Maureen Magic! Definitely more to the taste of today's young buyers. I'm sure this home will now be snapped up ...

Gene

Apr 18, 2011 11:01 AM

David Peterson

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

Home Stager Portland OR-Synergy Staging-Portland Oregon

Maureen this is a great transformation. It is so great when our clients just go for it! The results of this transformation are a great testimony to the power of staging. Hope it sells quickly.

Apr 18, 2011 11:05 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

I'm a retro girl at heart myself Maureen (love that old 50's table and the danish modern set) but you made a big difference in how this home showed to the buyer demographic who probably didn't appreciate the "old" vibe the place was giving off. Great job!

Apr 18, 2011 11:15 AM

Shar Sitter

Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN

Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I cannot believe your client was so willing to do all the changes you recommended. Especially the paneling, most older people think that is the cat's meow and have a hard time getting rid of it. Absolutely amazing!

Apr 18, 2011 01:27 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Gene ~ So nice to see you again! Thanks for your feedback and kind remarks. That dinette set is indeed very cool.

Hi David ~ It's in the Bridlemile neighborhood, which has homes much more expensive than this one, and a coveted elementary school. Fingers crossed!

Hi Karen ~ When it was on the market previously for 6 months, the feedback was that it was "too much work." Now, with many of the cosmetic fixes taken care of, buyers should view it more favorably. The listing agent told me that the first Open House this weekend was packed!

Hi Shar ~ You'd love this client! 86 years young and so energetic! I wish all my clients were as motivated to do what's necessary.

Apr 18, 2011 04:21 PM

Beverly Carlson

Carlson Properties 325-721-2429 - Abilene, TX

Abilene's Staging Realtor

Maureen, what wonderful staging work. What an incredible difference in the foyor from "let me out of here" to up-to-date!

Apr 19, 2011 02:16 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Beverly ~ Thanks! The entry foyer now has a new updated feeling, after removing the wallpaper (which was the height of style in its day) and the brass light fixtures.

Apr 19, 2011 02:27 PM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Beautiful job Maureen. You've made an older home feel much newer and so much more inviting.

Apr 23, 2011 01:18 AM

Marianne Cherico

Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA

Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Maureen-Your work is amazing....and your pictures are soooo great! Every single room has been updated to perfection. I love that basketweave rug in the living room. Your seller was so smart to hire you!

Apr 24, 2011 02:09 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Gabe ~ Thank you! We're hoping for a quick sale for this home.

Hi Marianne ~ This seller (at 86 yrs young) is smart because she knew that taking care of some updates -- without any remodeling -- would be a good idea, and also that advice from a home stager was a good place to start. Thanks so much for your nice comment :-)

Apr 24, 2011 06:11 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

Wow, what a difference Maureen! P.S. I know I never got back with you, but thanks for the staging info... I was looking for someone who could place some furniture in virtual photos. We ended up getting an offer on the home afterall.

Apr 24, 2011 04:31 PM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Melinda ~ Thank you! (So glad to hear that you got an offer on that other house -- congrats :-)

Apr 24, 2011 04:39 PM

Karen Dembsky

Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA

Atlanta Home Staging

Oh, Maureen! your staging AND Photography is great! all about those demographics That was a lot of work for your client. My favorite is the pear art in the kitchen and EVERYTHING about that living room!

Apr 27, 2011 02:15 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Karen ~ This seller was so dedicated and focused on making the home more appealing to the target buyer. It's wonderful, as you know, to work with clients like that!

Apr 27, 2011 04:43 AM

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