There is nothing more valuable to a business person (home stager) than a happy client who volunteers to tell the world how highly he thinks of the service you provided. They are truly worth their weight in gold.

Last month we staged a house in Valencia, CAfor our client. Happily we destaged it a little more than a month later (last week)  because it sold and escrow was about to close. Please keep in mind that approximately 50% of the homes on the market in Valencia are foreclosures and short sales.

Here, in its entirety, is the email testimonial I received from my client today (bold, italics and underlines and links are mine):

Hi Michelle.
 
Here is my testimonial.  Please feel free to use it in your web site or Active Rain and edit as desired.  All I ask is that you show my name as simply Michael (no last name) of Valencia and not mention the street address or price.  You could show some before and after shots if you'd like. (Photos appear below)
 
Thanks so much for all you've done!
 
Michael
 

I cannot overstate the importance of Michelle Minch's staging in the fast sale of our small Valencia home.
 
Our house had largely contained sparse, tired, undersized furnishings - most notably in the living room.  When one has lived in a house for so long with basically the same decor, you become comfortable with its familiarity but oblivious to its dreariness.  We didn't want to invest in new furniture that might be inappropriate for our next house, yet we didn't want to rent just anything. The help of an expert was needed.
 
A few months before we planned to put our house up for sale, I read an L.A. Times article about home staging that mentioned Michelle Minch and her company, Moving Mountains Design.  The timing was excellent.  Although we had attended some open houses where staging had taken place, we had never thought of using such services ourselves.  The quotes from Michelle in the article not only convinced me to have our home staged, they also won me over as a client of hers. 
 
Results?  When Michelle was done with our house, it had never looked better.  It looked its best at a time when it simply had to look its best.  Beautiful, well-placed and sensibly-coordinated furniture and accessories (incorporating a portion of our better existing furniture) made every room look inviting.  Michelle drew out the home's potential for all to see.  Even the iffy carpet and dated kitchen were overshadowed by the attention drawn to the true qualities of the residence.  I could tell that prospective buyers had sat down and lingered in the living and dining rooms based on the slightly displaced throw pillows and chairs. 
 
Michelle had great exterior ideas as well.  For example, replacing a fortress-like solid wood gate with an attractive wrought-iron gate in the front yard made a noticeable difference in curb appeal.
 
I must also add that Michelle's photography was better than that of our real estate agent's "professional", and consequently we insisted on using several of her shots in the on-line gallery.
 
The bottom line?  There were three purchase offers within 72 hours of the MLS listing.  Two of the offers came from people who had seen the house during a "preview period" before it was staged but were not compelled to make an offer until after it was staged.  Five days after the MLS listing, we were in escrow, and escrow just closed last week.  The final sales price was only 1% below our asking price that had purposely been set high to come down further than it actually did. 

I believe that the cost of the staging was a bargain compared to the return we received.
 
In a buyer's housing market of foreclosures, short sales and high inventories - not to mention rising unemployment, financial turmoil and Government bailouts - Michelle Minch's staging skills made our home stand out from the other sellers' by giving it a competitive edge that resulted in a rapid sale at a better-than-expected price.  I unequivocally and enthusiastically recommend that you take advantage of this woman's talents.    

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A few disclaimers:

1. I promise I did not pay my client to write this testimonial

2. I promise I, in no way, coerced or blackmailed my client to write this testimonial

3. I am not related to this client in any way

4. He is just one very satisfied client who volunteered to tell the world how happy he is with our home staging services

Living Room before staging

Living room after staging. The new furniture really helps to update the living room and makes it feel more welcoming

Master bedroom before staging

Master bedroom after staging.

We purchased new bedding for the client, as he planned to continue occupying the home while it was on the market. The bedding is his to keep. The bedding purchase price was incorporated into the original staging estimate.

Thank you, Michael, for your very generous endorsement of my work and for being such a wonderful client to work with. Nothing makes me happier than to see nice things (like a fast home sale at a great price) happen to good people (you and your lovely wife).

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 *Los Angeles Home Staging - A Happy Client Is Worth Their Weight In Gold*copyright 2008 Michelle Minch and Moving Mountains Design. All rights reserved.

"From condos to cottages to castles, we don't sell real estate, but we know what makes real estate sell" For truly exceptional service and expert assistance in preparing your home to sell please visit our Los Angeles home staging web site or call Michelle Minch at (626)441-8975. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have about the benefits of home staging to help you sell your home faster and for a better price, even in the current market.