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Is this "magic" staging furniture? It sold 3 different homes in days - Before & Afters

Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR was selected to stage Home #1 ... it had been on the market for 5 months without a sale. We staged it using a colorful red sofa & matching chair, a fun brown wool rug, and some typical tables, etc. Home #1 SOLD in only 3 days, with 3 back up offers! Here are photos of the living room in House #1, Before & After:

Room Solutions home staging portland oregon

Room Solutions home staging portland OR

When House #1 was about to be de-staged, another broker called me for a staging quote on a contemporary home he was about to list. With Home #2's white walls in the living room, I thought the red sofa, chair and fun brown rug would work in that home too ... and we staged it with some new accessories. Home #2 SOLD in only 5 days, for over asking price! Here's photos of House #2, vacant and then with the same furniture ...

Room Solutions home staging portland oregon

Room Solutions home staging portland ORegon

Meanwhile, a broker who'd seen House #2 called me and said she loved the staging, could I come look at her listing that had been on the market since late last summer? It was another contemporary-style home with a terrific view. This broker asked, could I possibly stage it with the same red sofa and chair, fun brown wool rug, etc? I told her that Home #2 was about to be de-staged and we agreed the same furniture would work well in this home too. House #3 SOLD in 7 days! This broker said that she's finally, after 32 years as a realtor -- a believer in staging! Here's photos of the same furniture grouping, this time in House #3 ...

Room Solutions home staging portland oregon

Room Solutions Home Staging portland oregon

I'm not sure if it was the red colors, the fun accessories and artwork, or the lucky Irish book that I placed in each of these 3 homes, but they all sold in a week or less (in a "slow" market)! Staging really works, and any skeptics only have to read Active Rain to see many other success stories like this one.

Room Solutions Staging in Portland OR helps homeowners and realtors maximize home equity by staging to sell. Call Maureen Bray at 503-246-1800 and let us know how we can help you.

Staging that sells Portland homes!

Posted by Maureen Bray ~ Home Stager Portland OR ~ Room Solutions Staging on 04/30/2008 01:09 PM

Comments (66)

Home Staging Advice in the Home Selling Channel

vacant home staging, home staging portland oregon, staging portland or, room solutions home staging, maureen bray

Originally posted at: Home Staging in Portland Oregon Blog: Is this "magic" staging furniture? It sold 3 different homes in days - Before & Afters

This post has been included in Oregon Information Multnomah County, OR Information Portland, OR Information
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Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...
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66 Comments on Is this "magic" staging furniture? It sold 3 different homes in days - Before & Afters

APR

2008

love all the different angles maureen. Congrat's on another success story! Kym

Kym ~ Everyone in the transaction loves a quick sale don't we? The angles are different because these are 3 different homes -- with the same lucky furniture!

It is your savvy choice of trendy colors that totally update the sapce... I think YOU are magic, Maureen!

Maureen,

I think it's the red. That's my go to color whenever I have to work with builder beige walls.

Julianna ~ You're makin' me smile, lady! I bet it's my lucky Irish book ... and the colors. Thanks for your nice compliment!

Susan ~ Red looks so bright and cheery against drab white or builder beige walls ... glad to hear it works for you, too!

Maureen,

The only thing that would have made your blog even better would be before and after photos. Your three examples using the same furnishings truly speak well of the value of staging. The red definitely make the rooms "pop!". Good staging, good post. Thanks for sharing.

Pacita ~ Ask and you shall receive -- I updated my post to include the "before" photos .... thanks for your excellent suggestion!

I love the red and the furniture placement! It gives each room a fresh, hip look. Great staging!

Maureen ~ Congratulations; that is great! It certainly seems like it's versatile furniture since it works in all three houses. I do like that rug too.

Congratulations, Maureen! I think you are just a great stager! All 3 homes look great and even though you used the same furniture they all look different. I have been considering adding a red sofa set to our inventory. Now, I think it will be next on the list.

DO NOT GET RID OF THAT FURNITURE! Hey Maureen, this is a great combination of furnishings. I love the overhead shot.

Okay Maureen...I want to know what this lucky Irish book is? But it's obvious by the photos...it's not luck, it's talent and your skills shine!

Cheers!

Maureen,

Congratulations on these fine staging jobs! Sure you used the same furnishings in these three locations, but you mixed it up a little with different artwork and accessories. The key is that you made the house functional and with the proper furniture placement buyers were able to envision themselves living in these spaces. Remember you are selling the space not the furnishings, so its O.K. to repeat! Remember you are selling the space not the furnishings, so its O.K. to repeat! Remember you are selling the space not the furnishings, so its O.K. to repeat! EVEN IF IT IS THREE TIMES IN A ROW! Continued success!

Wanda ~ Like you, I think the red is fun too ... thanks for stopping by.

Kathy ~ When I first saw that rug I knew it would be fun to work with....the small circles within the brown are really colorful.

Tanya ~ I highly recommend you add some red furniture -- it seems to work!

Hi Maureen,
I think it's a combination of both; the Stager and furniture!

Gary ~ I won't be letting it go anytime soon, that's for sure, since it's been my lucky charm. I love those overhead shots too and learned about doing them right here on A/R!

Gina ~ Since I used to live in Ireland and have so many fond memories, as a "signature" item I place a small Irish book in the homes I stage, which seems to bring good luck. They're small books of Irish sayings, quotations, wisdown, etc. Thanks for your kind comment!

Maureen- Congrats to you. Staging well done!

Michelle ~ You mean it's OK to repeat LOL :) Yes, I always tell clients that we are selling the home, not what's in it! Thanks for your feedback.

Tosha ~ Thank you for such a nice compliment ... it's much appreciated.

Barbara ~ As stagers, we know that homes selling quickly are a combination of correct pricing and good condition, and staging is part of that equation. Thanks for commenting.

I love it when just the right combo can be so effective! How effective for you to be able to move the furniture from one job right to the next.

Tori Lynn ~ That's what was so great -- we were able to have the furniture moved from one staging to the next each time, eliminating returning it to the warehouse and saving on labor costs. Now I'm wondering if another staging job will come along in the next 2 weeks so we can test this furniture once again ...

great post- ti gave me some ideas...thanks

Red is a really hot color for any living room, not to mention the furniture itself just looks awesome. I have the same color red furniture in my living room and it brightens the day no matter how I wake up in the morning.

Michael ~ Glad to hear you got some ideas -- hope you're considering staging your listings!

Tiffany ~ I'm loving the red now too, even though before using it in these homes I thought it was too strong. Now I think I'd like it in my own home too! Thanks for your input.

Your staging is awesome! Looks like a totally different house! I agree with Tiffany about red in any living room.

Hi Maureen- Maybe you're on to something here. I have a red armless sofa which I've used in maybe 10 vacant homes this year, for 8 of the 10 homes - they sold in less than 2 weeks. Your staging looks great and maybe the Red magical furniture has something to do with it too! Good luck - Emma

That's awesome Maureen! =) hhhhmmmm, lucky red furniture, eh? Is that what it takes? Where does one get lucky red furniture? Do tell! You're a RED-HOT stager with maybe a little of the Irish luck, that's what I think. And, you know, if 'it ain't broke, don't fix it'...you obviously have a winning combination there! Congrats!

Aloha Maureen,

If it works once, it will most likely work again. Congratulations and good luck.

That is so cool seeing the same furniture used three different ways. Great job! This proves that not everyone has a "neutral" kind of taste. Joan

I don't think it's the furniture. Instead, I think it's YOU! You're an awesome stager and your stats prove that.

Congratulations. Your post is being featured in the group Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

You are HOT lady! It's the way that the stager pulls it all together...that's the magic. I agree with the comments about the red, but red alone will not sell a house. Glad things are going well for you, but it's no surprise.

The before and after photos are striking. Amazing how the furniture and the splash of colors brings the rooms together.

Maybe you're just an excellent Realtor.

You have the ability to make these rooms feel warm and inviting! The physical "look" pulls on the the strings of the heart and music is produced!

It's all about the cozy feeling!

The person who bought this house is feeling and saying, "I feel comfortable sitting here!"

Question - someone mentioned to me that Asians don't like a lot of red in their homes (such as red furniture). Because I live in a community where they are the ones really buying, I don't want to offend. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

LaNita ~ Thank you -- actually, it's three different homes! :-)

Emma ~ Since you've had such great luck with red furniture and fast sales, maybe there really IS something to the red color. Someone else told me that red "excites" buyers. (Is that why middle-aged men sometimes buy red cars? Hmmm ... that's a whole separate subject LoL)

Hi Abby ~ I think it's probably several factors converging together ... including the Irish luck. Thanks for your feedback!

Aloha Kimo ~ So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it? Thanks for stopping by.

Joan ~ I used to think that most of the time, neutral is good ... but now may be changing my thought process.

Kathy ~ Many thanks for your nice comment (and the feature too). Isnt' it wonderful when hard work starts to pay off in quick sales?

Ginger ~ Thank you for your support and kind remarks. We really do have the best resource here in SIF and A/R, don't we?

Carolyn ~ It was lucky that everything came together on these homes ... the combination of pricing for the market, the ondition of the home, and staging so that potential buyers could imagine themselves living there. Thanks for your feedback!

Alan ~ Actually, I'm a stager ... but thanks for commenting! The listing agents in these 3 properties were all very pleased with the quick sales.

Dan ~ You're in the right profession -- and I love how you describe the buyer's emotional connection. Thanks for your comment.

Hey if it works and is not broken don't fix it, I say keep on using this magic formula!! It is a great combination!! :)

Magic staging furniture!! ;) Now that's a funny concept! If you could package it up and sell it...;)

"Um, yeah, and do you think you could bring along the magic staging furniture? Thanks..."

I say photos, statistics, a good story, promotion, and branding...make them want it! Great post, ride this story to the bank!

Great before and after shots. It is with photos like these that can easily sway a home owner on the power of staging.

I love the way you angled the rug, you made such good use of the space.

Beth ~ You've asked an interesting question, perhaps someone here on A/R can address it ...

Justin ~ So far, so good! Thanks for your input.

Joe ~ You're right, it IS kind of a funny concept! Our goal is to make potential buyers feel like they really want to live in the home, by making it look and feel inviting.

Jennifer ~ We find that Before & After photos really do help homeowners -- as well as agents -- understand the power of staging. Thanks for stopping by!

Cindy ~ Don't you love to use angles sometimes? It can really make a space look more interesting.

Way to go Maureen! Great photos and a great job! Fast sales are great testimonials!

MAY

2008

Wayne ~ Thanks for stopping by! It's so nice to hear from a fellow Portlander and your enthusiastic remarks are very much appreciated. You're right about the fast sales -- they're the best testimonials aren't they?

Maureen, great job on the staging and with documenting it with these great photos. I'm sure that your record of success is going to result in even more business.

Great job Maureen! I love all the ways you've used your lucky furniture. I'm hoping some of my new furniture that just went in Houses #2 will be lucky too! We'll see....

awesome awesome awesome! I think the furniture may have had something to do with it but more likely it was your talent! great post and wonderful work as always. I like to do a "good karma dance" when I am done to "bless the house" not sure if it works but sure is fun to do after a long day of staging! KH

Maureen,

What a great job! I absolutely LOVE red. I think it is the colour of luck for sure! You did an amazing job with those spaces. Conratulations!

Brian ~ We'll happily accept the challenge of more business, naturally! :) thanks for commenting

Teresa ~ Good luck with your next project and I hope you have repeated success!

Kate ~ Passing along good will in any form in a home we've staged is a great idea ... I'd like to see you and your team performing the "dance" LoL .... many thanks for your feedback.

Michele ~ I've always liked the color red too but thought it might be too strong in staging .... but my opinion has changed!

You just have to love it when that happens! The arrangement is definitley very punchy with the red and the geometric rug. On their own, however may have been too dynamic - the use of the soft greens make it wonderfully approachable - excellent choices!

Luck of the Irish...Maureen.

I know your little secret...you have 'little people' living under the red furniture. As soon as a potential buyer sits on the couch or chair they fall asleep and the little people do their magic!

The potential buyer wakes up refreshed with a sense they have traveled a long way and have now found their way home...immediately they make an offer to purchase!

Great job!

Deborah ~ Your analysis of the colors makes so much sense -- thank you for your brilliant theory of why it's working!

Dane ~ I LOVE your story of what's happening here -- yours is my favorite explanation so far!! You and I share that Irish heritage and you sound just like one of the "little people" yourself. Thanks for the big smile!! :-)

Magic sofa and Maureen's staging wand! I LOVE these success stories! Thank you for sharing and congratulations on jobs well done!

Maureen-

Another job well done! KUDOS! You can NEVER have enough RED in a room!! Should I try my luck with the Irish thing? O'Bella??!!

Mary

MAY

2008

Karen ~ Sometimes we are all lucky enough to get that magic wand in hand and everything seems to pull together (this happened for me in House #3 -- I fell in love with it and was actually a bit sad to hear that it sold .... I wanted to buy it myself!).

Mary ~ is that wee Mary O'Bella herself? OK, I'm a red convert, I admit I was skeptical until I saw what it can do!

Maureen,

I used the same red sofa in a house I staged last July and it sold in less than 24 hours!! The only "Irish" luck I had on that project was YOUR HELP...So I am a true bleiever in the Red Hot Irish Stager! You go girl.

Maureen-

And you even dress in RED! Yes, wee O'Bella here doing an Irish jig...

Mary

Trish ~ Oh, THAT's where I'd seen the red sofa before -- in your project!! LoL you are too funny. Now I'm on the lookout for House #4 for this grouping....let me know if you hear of anything OK?

Mary ~ It's true, I love to wear red, I just never used it in staging before -- but my ideas about red furniture have changed! :-) I'm picturing you doing that jig -- it's a mighty effort you're makin' there!

That is awesome... KEEP USING IT...don't stop what works or break what "ain't" broken...

Congratulations

'Just want to let you know that I featured this post on my outside blog, Focus On Crofton.

Kym, how exciting. Surely people are starting to understand that staging works. Three houses with the same furniture, you have been busy. Excellent success story.

Renee ~ You bet I won't stop using it in the appropriate spaces ... once we find a winner why change horses in midstream? Thanks for your feedback!

Margaret ~ Thank you so much for adding my post to your blog! I enjoyed reading your other entries as well. I'm sure your subscribers appreciate that you offer good such interesting content with a variety of topics.

Missy ~ Slowly but surely, the word is getting out about the benefits of staging, to both homeowners and agents. Thanks for stopping with your comment.

MAY

2008

Maureen, I think we've got the best heritage for stories. The Little People are very busy!

I was fortunate to be wisked away by the Little People when I fell asleep once as a child so I know first hand just how they work!

MAY

2008

good for you, keep it up, black and red always a killer combo. great job.

Shobha

MAY

2008

Maureen I just found this post and had to comment. Quick - send complete set of furniture with accessories to Calgary. I could use some of this Irish luck. :) Actually I know it's not luck - it's your great staging ability. Congratulations on not one, not two, but three quick sales. Betty

MAY

2008

I love the reds. I have a magic couch, everytime I use it the house sells in under a week. Keep using it and best of luck

Phyllis Pafumi

Betty ~ OK -- it's on the way! Thanks for your feedback ... somehow all the forces worked together on these 3 staging projects and all the clients were happy. We love when that happens, don't we?

Phyllis ~ Please show us a picture of your "magic" couch!! What fun, would love to see it. I'm sure your staging ability has a lot to do with your success though.

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