About 6 months ago (maybe longer actually) I was called for a vacant home consultation at a great condo complex downtown.  I didn't get the job - the unit didn't get staged.  Last week I was called out again... The building has a lot going for it - gated parking, elevators, passkey entry, etc.  This particular unit has been on the market for almost a year.

This time the agent, who is also one of the investors/owners decided that they needed a new plan.  I was hired to stage the unit.  I recommended doing some additional things, like painting, but at least we were able to make some headway this time....

downtown staging    downtown charleston

 

downtown charleston    charleston

 

downtown charleston   downtown charleston

I would have liked to add curtains to the windows in the bedroom for texture and height, but the windows were too tall and curtains would have had to be special ordered.  There was no budget for that.  This was definately a shoestring budget! 

The entire unit is just under 950 sqft and these photos comprise nearly the entire thing... all that's missing is the kitchen and master bath.  The real estate show below will give you the whole look.

There were some real issues in this home with layout.  Buyers could not figure out how to arrange the furniture.  I did what I normally do not and actually addressed the TV viewing arrangement in this property.  I felt it was a necessity.  While normally I don't like to have the back of the sofa facing into the room, I felt it was appropriate and necessary for buyers in this small unit.  With all the glass, this would be a common problem. 

The agent who had been so reluctant to stage prior came in about an hour or so after we started and was just beside himself happy.  His assistant is already trying to convince other clients of the value that staging can provide - which they now understand!

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First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign is a nationally award winning company owned and operated in Summerville, SC a suburb of Charleston, SC.  We provide high quality staging for both occupied and vacant homes in the greater surrounding areas and beyond!  For more information please visit, www.WeStageSC.com.  If you are interested in learning about making Home Staging your profession, please visit, www.StagingAndRedesign.com for more information.

 
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...
Post is included in group: South Carolina Real Estate
Post is included in group: Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures
Post is included in group: VACANT HOUSE STAGING & NEW HOMES
Post is included in group: GROW IRIS Stagers and Redesigners!

19 Comments on White walls, open floorplan... What's a buyer to think?

MAY
06
2008

Melissa, it looks nice. I wish all sellers would see the value of staging. I have had great success with homes that I have had staged. You will have to let us know when it sells.

Dave

8:15pm • #1
Wow, that looks great! 
8:17pm • #2
188,739 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great work Melissa.  I love it when stagers share their before and after photos.  Very nice job on this one.

8:20pm • #3
107,857 Points 1 Featured Post

Melissa,

Wonderful, just shows what can be done even on a budget. Great as always.

8:20pm • #4
1 Featured Post

What a difference!!!

It's magical.

Great work, Melissa.

8:24pm • #5
Melissa, great job. Lets face it, buyers watch tv, so we might as well address it.
8:26pm • #6
MAY
07
2008
1 Featured Post
It looks awesome and so glad that they had it staged it looked drab and boring before.
1:06am • #7
143,325 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
Super transformation -- I love the slide show Melissa! Beofre - it really doesnt capture any kind of feeling at all!
10:00am • #8
Hi Melissa,  Those "great rooms" that are large enough (or supposed to be!) to accommodate the living room and dining room together in one big space are often a puzzler for buyers.  They just can't figure out how to arrange the furniture.  You've solved that problem for them with this arrangement.  And yes, sometimes in these types of rooms the sofa does need to have it's "backside" showing so that the individual spaces (dining and living) are defined.  Very nice work, as always!
1:04pm • #9
Beautiful job!! You are very talented!!
3:11pm • #10
136,403 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Melissa, Great RES!  I love those pillows on the sofa.

10:09pm • #11
MAY
08
2008
3 Featured Posts
Great job as always Melissa!  I can't wait to see your update that this unit is SOLD!  Buyers can now really see how to use this space. :)
6:16am • #12
MAY
09
2008
4 Featured Posts

Hi Melissa,

Which is better?  Plain and Empty or Creative and Full?

I think you qualify for for the second half!

6:27pm • #13
127,030 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It's such a no brainer why people should stage. the photos speak 1000 words ;)

cheers,

cindy

8:04pm • #14
MAY
10
2008
Outside Blog

Hi Melissa, The condo looks amazing. Great job!!!  Did you paint?  The walls look very light still.

3:44pm • #15

Great job - looks like you now have a new advocate for staging.

5:01pm • #16

Melissa: excellent job! I bet you they are kicking themselves that they did not give you the job the first time around. lol..."It just proves what we all say...staging works".

5:08pm • #17
216,758 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks for all the great comments! 

Karen - No, they wouldn't give me the budget to paint, so we did the best we could.  It really is too bad because you can't even really see the crown molding, etc.

7:01pm • #18
MAY
11
2008
Outside Blog

Hi Melissa,  I just had the same situation.  It still looks great.

10:45am • #19

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Melissa Marro www.StagingAndRedesign.com www.RedesigningCharleston.com

Charleston, SC

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