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NH Home Staging Consult - Before & After - Contingent In 3 Weeks!

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

NH Home Staging Consult - Before & After - Contingent In 3 Weeks!

 

A few months ago I did a Home Staging Consult for a nice couple planning to list their house for sale.  Their agent, John Rice of Tate & Foss, recommends staging consults to all his new listings and had them call me.

My first impression was that the house was much older than it actually is.

The first room you see upon entering their house is the living room.  It screamed "colonial" with a dated eagle mirror over the fireplace and a burgundy and navy color scheme.  There was too much furniture, making the room appear smaller and heavy drapes darkened the room.  The custom built-ins and the beautiful molding were hardly noticeable.

 

living room before NH home staging consult

 

The sellers had ordered a new leather chair to replace one of the chairs and were awaiting delivery.  I suggested removing both of the existing chairs and only using the new one.

 I suggested purchasing a slipcover for the sofa.

 I told them to replace the heavy drapes with sheers.

 I reorganized the built-ins, replaced the mirror with a picture from another room, and found a coffee table in the basement. 

 

living room

living room

The sellers did an excellent job following my suggestions throughout the home, and I'm very happy to report that they had an offer almost immediately upon listing.....contingent in just three weeks!! 

Comments (28)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kim:  I love receiving calls from John's sellers because I know they are serious!  John and I have been having great luck lately!

Roger:  The house was built in 2000.  I felt like I was entering a historic home when I first walked in.  The rest of the home didn't feel that old....beautiful kitchen!

Donna:  That's my favorite type of staging.  I love the challenge of using existing items and most of the time it is completely possible!  In this case, the slipcover and sheers were a very small price to pay for the results.  

Kathy:  This seller called several times with questions and kept me updated.  I was on the phone with her when the slipcover arrived and she was soooo excited!  I didn't return for "after" shots, but John sent me his pics.  I was very happy with the end result!

Jun 15, 2012 01:28 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Sharon... this is another shining example of how less is more. These new photos makes the room look fresh and clean and ready for move-in! The other with the eagle mirror reminded me of a museum and I think I would feel like I was intruding on their personal space.

Everything you do, you do so well!

Jun 15, 2012 01:35 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sharon,

What a magnificent job you did.  I can even imagine living there because it looks so fresh and gives the house a new feeling.  Wishing you a delightful weekend.  A

Jun 15, 2012 10:03 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

Good work, girl!!  The staging looks terrific and the "before" and "after" pictures can be used for additional marketing to showcase your talent.  The quick offer confirms that you, the listing agent and even the seller did their jobs like pros.

Jun 15, 2012 11:29 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Great job with the slipcover and the leather chair!  The decluttering also worked wonders!

Jun 15, 2012 01:58 PM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Sharon, what a wonderful transformation! Awesome job! Given the right information a seller can make their house over with great results! Lovin' that slipcover! I might have to find some for a client I'm consulting with on Monday...

Jun 16, 2012 02:56 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Patricia:  Thank you!  A "museum" is a good way to describe it!  Not exactly the impression you want to give.

Alexandra:  Thank you!  I'm having a wonderful weekend so far, but still haven't made it to the farmer's market...hope to get there soon!

Lloyd:  A real team effort!  At least I remembered to get a photo this time! 

Sharon:  Can't take any credit for the leather chair, it was already purchased before I came along.  As for the slipcover....I told the seller to go online and check SureFit and that is what she did.

Valerie:  Thank you!  Being able to see them is very important, LOL!

Peg:  Thank you!  I suggest SureFit for slipcovers.  I just purchased an ottoman cover yesterday to match a chair cover I had previously purchased.  I'm very happy with the quality.  They have different styles and colors to choose from.

 

 

Jun 16, 2012 07:42 AM
Linda Thompson
Selling By Design-Staging - Fresno, CA

Hi Sharon.  Your post is a great example of what an inexpensive staging consultation can do for a property. Now if more real estate agents would suggest this marketing tool to all their clients they and the sellers would benefit.

Jun 16, 2012 08:34 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Linda:  Slowly but surely we are getting there!  I'll just keep posting examples and do what I do and we will see what happens!

Jun 16, 2012 10:26 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Wow, what a difference it made Sharon! Had to take a double look at the first room to be sure! Love how you transform a room so cost effectively!

Jun 16, 2012 12:27 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Sharon ~ Congrats on helping your clients bring their home into the 21st century!!  It's so much lighter and brighter and more open ... no wonder it had a pending sale quickly!!

Jun 16, 2012 02:09 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Al & Peggy:  Thank you!  It doesn't take much to make a huge difference in appearance.  Having the right direction and plan of action is key.

Maureen:  Looks a little younger, don't you think?  LOL!  I was thrilled with the results!  Thank you!

Jun 16, 2012 11:35 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Sharon - Oh wow, this home really does look younger now!  It's wonderful to have a client who will listen to your advice and follow it!  What a great looking property now. 

Jun 17, 2012 07:40 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sally:  Thank you for your enthusiasm!  I agree, having clients like this makes the job much easier!

Jun 17, 2012 08:38 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sharon, great results. Lucky seller having you for the Staging consultation. I love your cost effective suggestions. That house really does look younger.

Jun 17, 2012 10:08 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Anna:  If I could only make myself look younger this easily!!

Jun 18, 2012 07:18 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Sharon:  You ask... does my home look older ?  No, but I sure do.  Making you look "younger"... isn't really necessary.  You already look "young."  But me ?  I guess there are just some miracles that even a great professional stager cannot pull off.  Darn...

Jul 14, 2012 02:17 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Karen:  That's not fair...you were so kind to me and so hard on yourself!  I think we are all that way, and would be much happier if we could see ourselves the way the people who love us do.  

Jul 14, 2012 10:38 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Sharon:  I think when I say something like that... I tell myself that I am just "kidding" and being silly.  But I guess whenever I do say something like that... there just has to be some truth in it coming from way deep down inside of me.  Good ol' human frailty.

Some days I wonder why I am not as kind to myself as I am to others... even when I appear to be joking about myself... saying whatever it is... "tongue in cheek."

Jul 15, 2012 06:49 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Karen:  It's human frailty....I agree!  We all do it.  I'm just as guilty as you on this one.  fyi...I happen to like your "tongue in cheek" style.

Jul 15, 2012 09:35 AM