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I did something I hope was okay!

By
Home Stager with Judy Heinrich Home Staging

I recently completed staging a challenging project.  This house was challenging for a number of reasons - paint and wallpaper that needed to be changed but wouldn't be.  Valances that should have come down,but won't, etc.  The sellers would not approve any of my recommendations concerning those items. It was vacant with some items left behind that I was to use first before I added anything else (and only to add if really necessary!)  This house is an expensive home for our area - 1.3mil. in need of a lot of attention.   One of the  best selling features of this home (besides location) were the gorgeous hardwood floors.  Unfortunately, in the large, long living room, they were completely covered up by a rug that was pretty much wall to wall, obviously custom cut for the room.  To top it off, it was green.  I suggested to the homeowner that the rug be removed to show off the floor.  I was told that they didn't think they could do it because they weren't refinished underneath.  Well, when I returned for staging day I just had to see for myself.  They were in excellent condition! The owners are out of town so when the furniture movers brought the furniture, I paid them a bit to move the rolled up rug to the garage.  Poor guys, it had to weigh several hundred pounds!

     

     

I went with my gut instinct to remove the rug and I think it was the right decision.  I hope it was okay!

In case you're interested... here's a picture of just a couple of the areas I thought should be painted or wallpaper removed...

    

 

Comments (18)

Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Judy - I hope your sellers are happy you went with your gut - I think the difference is pretty dramatic!  You've helped that fireplace become the focal point it was meant to be.

Jackie

Nov 21, 2007 09:50 AM
Connie King
Sevierville, TN
Those floors will probably sell that house.   You definitely did them a favor!
Nov 21, 2007 09:59 AM
Yvonne Root
rooms b.y. root - Prescott, AZ
Home Stager - Northern Arizona
Judy, There is a striking difference in the room with the green rug "poofed" out of the way of beautiful floors. You dun did good girl! Or in English -- You have done an excellent job! 
Nov 21, 2007 10:33 AM
Judy Heinrich
Judy Heinrich Home Staging - San Diego, CA

Jackie - Well they didn't say anything negative about it so I guess that's good!

Connie - The floors are about the only thing in great condition, not sure it will be enough to sell it in that price range though!

Yvonne - Thanks!  You should have seen me struggle by myself to roll it up...that rug was HEAVY!!!!

Nov 21, 2007 10:40 AM
Elaine Manes Gage
Home Staging Online Services - Denver, CO
Staging done ONLINE!
I think you did a beautiful job! It's a shame they didn't listen to you about the paint and wallpaper, because those rooms look out of place with the other rooms. I had a client who refused to change the Pepto Bismol pink walls in her kitchen. Her reason? She had JUST painted them that color!!!
Nov 21, 2007 11:17 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"
Your clients should be thanking you and singing your praises!  It's hard to imagine they want to keep a rug like that over beautiful hardwood floors -- a strong selling feature of the house.  They should listen to all of your good ideas to help the house sell faster...
Nov 21, 2007 01:11 PM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL
Judy, you did good!  I'm not sure I would have had the patience to work with that client.  Which leaves me wondering, why did they hire a stager in the first place if they didn't want to follow your advice?  It never ceases to amaze me!
Nov 21, 2007 01:14 PM
Tara Boettger
HOMEGIRL Home Staging - Poughkeepsie, NY
Yes you did the right thing! You were hired to help sell their house, and removing the carpet is definitly going to help. Great job! Why are they so against removing the wall-paper and painting? They're not living there...
Nov 21, 2007 01:44 PM
Lisa Sherman
Interior Aura - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Interior, Redesign & Decorating - Salem Oregon

What you did was absolutely OK... it was a huge improvement!  Its hard to believe people would cover up such beautiful flooring.  The homeowners should seriously consider your other suggestions, as it would look great.

Lisa Sherman ~ Interior Aura

Nov 21, 2007 02:09 PM
Susan Peters
Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA
The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Judy,

You really had your work cut out for you but you probably added at least 20k in perceived value. Good job!  

Nov 21, 2007 03:28 PM
Judy Heinrich
Judy Heinrich Home Staging - San Diego, CA

Elaine - And those were just a couple of the rooms!  I wish they would have listened to me!

Maureen - They had that carpet cut especially for the space... they were too "attached" to it!

Terri - Luckily, they were out of town so I didn't have them following me around.  Originally, I was hired by the agent to give a consultation, in hopes of convicing them to paint and remove the paper.  That didn't work, but the sellers wanted some furniture brought in.  While I think I still helped some of the spaces, I don't think buyers can get past all the work that needs to be done, and in that price range, it should already be done!

Tara - The homeowner had very "eclectic" taste and took a lot of pride in her decorating.  I guess she just hasn't been able to let go.  Unfortunately, they have purchased and moved into another home, more expensive than this one and now don't want to put any money into this one because it's a "fixer".  According to the agent, the comments they're getting is it's just too much work. 

Lisa - Maybe when it's still sitting they'll rethink about my suggestions!

Susan - Hardwood floors (in good condition especially) are always a better way to go!

 

Nov 21, 2007 10:45 PM
Kim Dillon
Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

Way to go!  The hardwood floors should be a great selling feature of that home!  It looks awesome!  Too bad they wouldn't paint and replace wallpaper, but we run into that often, don't we.  You managed to make it work.

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

Nov 21, 2007 11:35 PM
Calie Waterhouse
Chandler, AZ
Community Builder
Judy - I can merely echo what everyone else has already said - WOW - the transformation is awesome.  There' s definitely something to be said about listening to your intuition and just doing it.  Great job! - Calie
Nov 21, 2007 11:54 PM
Kristina Leone
Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN
Judy, you were absolutely right!  Hardwood sells, not green carpet.  I would have made the same recommendations, especially if the pink/red room is the master bedroom.  I have come across stubborn homeowners and really there is nothing more that you can do.
Nov 22, 2007 12:38 AM
Teresa Meyer
Cincinnati Home Stager - Cincinnati, OH
Home Staging Cincinnati-OH.

Judy! WOW! This is amazing!  I think you did the right thing. Most of the time, homeowners just can't "see" what you're recommending. I bet when they see the final result, they will totally agree that taking up the green stuff was the way to go! 

Nov 22, 2007 10:39 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!
Judy,
Sometimes it is so tough to do a job you are completely happy with when you have owner restrictions. I think you did a fabulous job for what you ahd to work with. The decision to remove the rug was right on!
Dec 13, 2007 09:03 AM
Sandra Hughes
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

Judy, I think getting rid of the carpet was the right call and the home looks much better after you put your touch on it.  With staging sellers are going to have their restrictions and all we can do is our best around the parameters they give us.

Dec 13, 2007 10:20 PM
Sandra Hughes
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

Judy, I think getting rid of the carpet was the right call and the home looks much better after you put your touch on it.  With staging sellers are going to have their restrictions and all we can do is our best around the parameters they give us.

Dec 13, 2007 10:20 PM