I was a little worried about taking on this project, when I was asked to stage this home.  It was really poor timing.  The house was on the market for a year - A YEAR!  She took it off the market, and decided to do something "drastic".  Unfortunately, it was right after the downturn of the market, and I heard horrible stats, nationally and even locally, although Charlotte is one of the steadiest real estate markets. I was worried if I could really deliver (not to mention, I wanted to keep my track record right where they were).

I heard how the market was tough, even with staging, it "might help" but it was not a guarantee whether or not it would sell a home.  I don't know any stagers, or anyone in the real estate industry, for that matter, who can guarantee a quick sale, and if you do come across anyone, I'd be very wary.  But I know statistically, staging always helps sell a home - 50% faster.  So I staged, and waited....7 days later, it sold for FULL asking price.  I was so esctatic - even though I know all the statistics and have witnessed countless times how staging really works, I even had doubts.

Can I guarantee that staging always sells a home fast?  No, but I can guarantee you that staging always sells a home faster than NOT staging!  Especially in today's market with an overflow of inventory, we need to have an edge over the competition.  Staging will get your house noticed.  Staging will get your house sold!  I believe it is imperative to stage, especially in this "tough market."  It is only a tough market to those, who don't do anything to the condition of their home, especially now.

As Barb Schwarz' says, "people only know what they see, not what it is going to look like."

Here are some before and afters:

Staging works - especially in a tough market!