On January 31st I had a staging consultation with a client who was getting ready to put her home on the market. Her husband had been transferred and she was ready to hear what it would take to get her home sold ... fast.
We met for a 2 hour staging consultation where I walked through their home and gave her advice not only on furniture but updates to walls, floors and bathrooms. A few weeks later she contacted me to help her through the design choices to completely update the home. We chose new carpet, all new paint, new countertops, bath fixtures and lighting fixtures. All wallpaper was removed as were drapes and wow what a difference!
Then we started buying furniture to "stage" the home. All the furniture had to be able to work in her new home which of course she hadn't bought yet! A challenge, but we bought pieces that would work in the current home and that they loved.
The end result is a completely updated home. It was listed last week and I have no doubt they will be getting an offer soon.
Here's a view of the living room before (dining room furniture was piled in while they were painting) Sorry for the blur - taken on my phone.

After

Before

The living room after from the kitchen. We didn't have time to purchase art, but I think open walls work well when selling.

This seller went above and beyond to transform her home to sell. How can you be an extraordinary seller too?
1. Act on advice. When you hire a staging consultant take their advice and run with it. Second guessing doesn't sell a home, action does.
2. Be open to change. That's the big one. This family home looks completely different. It required willingness to change.
3. Get help. This owner relied on our help every step of the way. When you create a great partnership, good things happen.
4. Communicate. Communicate with everyone on a regular basis. Your stager/designer, your spouse, your kids, your realtor. Keep everyone in the loop. Communication is the cornerstone of coordinating any move.
5. Have fun. Make it fun whenever possible. Keeping your sense of humor when selling a house is priceless!
by Tessa Skeens
Hampton Redesign
Professional Home Staging and Redesign
817-891-9563 www.hamptonredesign.com
Serving Fort Worth TX and Tarrant County
RESA National and Dallas Chapter Member
12 Comments on 5 Secrets to being an extraordinary Seller....
Wow...well done, you!!!
Hi Tessa, a client with willingness to change is such a joy. Great job!
Hi Tessa, I like the transformation. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Li!
Hi Ginger - yes it was and is a joy. I really appreciate having such a great client to work for and with!
Liz, thanks for taking the time to comment and the thumbs up!
Tessa--We need to clone your client! I love client when they are that motivated--but buying new furniture--that is totally awesome. Nice transformation to the house.
What a dramatic difference, Tessa. Wow! Occupied homes can be a challenge but... you master this one.
Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.
Kathy
I know Janet I feel like I hit the jackpot with this client. We replaced every single piece of furniture in the house with the exception of the couch and chair that had been in the downstairs living. That we moved up to the media/den area. Everything else was either put in storage or given away. A dream project! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Kathy - yes occupied homes are a challenge and I don't do that many so this one was exciting - especially since I didn't have to work with a budget or rental furniture! :) Thank you for the feature!
Great job Tessa!
Hope all is well!
Thanks Tom - all is well here in FW, hope the same is true for you in Houston!
What a difference it made to place the sofa on the opposite wall. That, along with a visually lighter area rug, really helps to brighten and open up this space. Nice job!
Hi Leanne! Before the sofa completely blocked the fireplace and was a big roadblock to traffic flow. Oh and it made the room seem much smaller! The new furniture was a compromise - we knew it didn't fit the room perfectly but it was a much better fit than the old sofa and chair. Thank you for commenting!
Hi Tessa - This looks so much better and brighter! Isn't it fun to work with sellers who work with you on making it sell?
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