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How to Stage Your Vacant House on a Budget (part 2)

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage Realty FA100041320

 

 (Part 2)

In yesterday's post, How to Stage Your Vacant House on a Budget (part 1),  I recommended a couple of ideas where Sellers could source furnishings and accessories. Relatives, friends, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore retail outlets, and CraigsList are all economical options.

 

Once you have a few key pieces in place, what else can you do to create a cohesive look? One of my favorite recommendations is to:

Repurpose, repaint, reupholster. All green options to make treasures out of what you might consider trash.

1.  Repurpose an ottoman, a narrow bench, two small square tables, or garden stools as a coffee table.

2.  Repurpose draperies on a curtain rod and hang on the wall behind the bed for a dramatic headboard.

3.  Repaint picture frames and add, wide mats to create a tight grid of artwork. The idea is to create a large-scale grouping above a bed, a couch, a fireplace. Use a collection of graphic items, such as contemporary greeting cards, bold fabric swatches, gift wrap or scrapbook paper.

4.  Repaint a mismatched set of dining chairs in a rich, current color to add pop. House Beautiful quoted a leading designer as saying "high-gloss paint is like Botox for furniture." :)

5.  Reupholster an accent chair. I used a funky linen tea towel as the inspiration for a Louis XIV chair I discovered at a second-hand resale shop.

 

 

This list is just the tip of what's out there. Its important to consult with a professional Home Stager to determine what are appropriate expenditures. You want your property to show at the caliber of other comparables. Have a REALTOR help determine your home's market value to stage your property accordingly. Being creative and resourceful can make a big impact in creating a positive, emotional connection with your Buyers.

Cheers to a successful sale!

 

Kim Gaston

Home Stager, Interior Redesigner, Color Consultant

- delighted to style Colorado Springs and the Front Range community.

 

Posted by

 

Colorado Springs Realtor

 Front Porch Real Estate

Front Porch Team Real Estate & Property Styling | kimgaston719@gmail.com

If you'd like to know how we can creatively stage and sell your home for the most money in the shortest time,

please call me at 719-661-6987.  

To view inspiring Before & After staging photos, visit my portfolio at:  www.FrontPorchInteriors.com

 

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Jill Sanders
RE eBroker - Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Staging would be invaluable here in Lake Tahoe. So many of our homes still have the essence of the 1970's screaming once you walk thru the front door. Less is more is what I tell people. Barka loungers (sp?) have to go. A live floor plant is essential but get rid of the buy 3 for 5 dollar decor. Basic colors so as not to offend and please, please remove all symbols of faith. The most important element is cleanliness. scrub, clean, wipe, vacuum and then do it again. You the seller want more money than your home is worth so put in a bit of effort and it is possible. Staging works.

Nov 28, 2011 06:38 PM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Great points and I hope this gets the attention it deserves

Have a great week

 

Nov 28, 2011 07:59 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Kim - What a great series!  It's not always necessary to have brand new, top of the line furnishings and accessories.  As you say, with a bit of creativity and imagination, you can still create a very appealing home.  Ok, I love that quote:  "high-gloss paint is like Botox for furniture."


Nov 29, 2011 02:44 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Kim, great suggestions.  I love your reupholstery job of the accent chair...NICE!! 

Nov 29, 2011 04:30 AM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Jill - All excellent points. It does require some elbow grease to make it clean enough to compete with new construction. Lake Tahoe is probably not much different than many areas, although the "tourist" location will at least pull traffic. Best of luck to you!

US Mortgages - Thank you. And, a great week to you as well!

Sally - Thanks so much! Educating Sellers regarding the money they save staging their vacant property vs. absorbing a price deduction takes time, but we'll get there. I had to laugh when I read that quote, too!

Thanks, Ginger! I appreciate your feedback.

Nov 29, 2011 06:35 AM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Kim--you are my kind of stager--reuse, repurpose and paint is your best friend.  Love what you did with that Louis XIV chair.  I am also in the process of writing two posts about repainting pictures frames--something I just completed for a design.  Great ideas--keep them coming. 

Nov 29, 2011 05:47 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Kim, I think that when you make staging totally affordable, sellers can more easily appreciate it's value.  When they get how cost effective it is, they are likely to be open to it.

Dec 06, 2011 03:27 PM
Kim Gaston
RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Thank you, Janet! I just subscribed so I'll be looking forward to reading more about your design projects.

Patricia, hopefully sellers will become more aware of the value that staging brings to the table (shorter DOM and for top market value), so they begin to ask for consultations. We can then show examples that staging is affordable for every price point.

Dec 06, 2011 03:56 PM