Going "Lite" On Staging...

Home : Blogs : Donna Schoby : Donna 's Blog

Going "Lite" On Staging...

This is my first attempt at staging "lite".

The Realtor ask for a "lite" staging to warm up this early 70's home.

By adding trendy furnishings and accessories staging takes a so-so home and shows buyers what could be. This is a great first time buyer home with good bones.

Within three days after staging the Realtor said she has received several calls and has a possible buyer.

I was able to do a "lite" staging for the living room, kitchen, master bedroom and two baths for less than $200.00 per month.

I know there is a difference of opinion on "lite" staging, but I feel it depends on your local market. After staging this property and it being posted on the MLS I received two calls requesting "lite" staging from other Realtors.

Donna Schoby

Ready, Set, Stage!

www.ReadySetStageNWA.com

Posted by Donna Schoby on 11/29/2008 10:42 PM

Comments (37)

Generate short URL

This post has been included in Arkansas Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Anything Arkansas
Post is included in group: Arkansas Real Estate
Post is included in group: Razorbacks in Real Estate
Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...
Post is included in group: Staging "Before" & "After" Pictures

37 Comments on Going "Lite" On Staging...

NOV

2008

Donna, what is lite staging? I'm sorry that I'm not familiar with it. And the monthly charge is until it sells?

Hi Barbara, My definition of lite staging is bringing in light pieces of furniture and accessories that I can move myself, without hiring any movers. This helps keep the cost down. The living room shown doesn't have a sofa or anything else besides what you see in the photo. The kitchen has a small 3 piece dining set and the bedroom has a air mattress used for the bed. I also added towels and some accessories to the bathrooms. My contracts are month to month and I charge a one-time staging fee plus a monthly rental fee. This home came in under $200.00 per month.

The Realtor called me today and said she leased the property only 3 days after staging. The homeowners decided to take the lease agreement for now. We are going to move these furnishings to another listing that she has. I will charge another staging fee to stage the new home and just continue our current contract.

Donna, thanks for the explanation. I'd imagine moving that stuff around, even though it is not overly heavy, would be trying. But you surely do a great job.

Donna -- I know from your comments on my blog that you prefer to do full staging, and do a lovely job of it. But wow -- two more jobs from this lite staging job -- that shows there is a need in your market for you to be flexible perhaps at this time! Thanks for sharing!

You did a very nice job and I am not surprised you are getting calls for more work!!

Donna ~ Congrats on making Lite Staging work in your local market! Flexibility is important now more than ever as many clients are unsure of what level of staging is affordable.

Barbara, Thank you... It may be trying at times but I LOVE what I do.

Margaret, Thank you...I do prefer full staging, but I agree that there is a need in my market for this type of staging and I need to be flexible to meet the needs of my market. One of my goals when I started my business was to be able to offer some level of staging to all homeowners.

Cathy, Thanks!

Maureen, Thank you, I feel that offering some level of staging is better than none, and if this is what it takes in my market then that's a niche I will gladly fill.

Donna,

I think it looks fabulous! New home builders do it all of the time and call it a Vignette. I wrote an entire post on my blog about it with a full explanation last week (To Vignette or not to vignette, that is the question?) There are some good, positive comments there. With the economy the way it is, we are all going to have to learn how to adapt. Would I rather do a complete staging? In a heart beat! But when push comes to shove, I'd rather see key areas staged lightly than not at all.

Great photos!

Allegra Dioguardi

Donna: Obviously there is a need for this service in your area. While we would all prefer to do full staging, lite staging is better than no staging. And it appears to be working in your clients' and your favor. I say, go for it.

DEC

2008

Donna - You did a great job! Congrats! You have inspired me to offer more "lite" staging.

Allegra, Thank you. I read your post on Vignettes, you did have some great comments. We do have to adapt to what our local market needs are.

Michelle, Thank you. It does seem to be a need in my market and I agree some staging is better than none at all.

Wanda, Thank you, As many agree doing some staging is better than none at all. This was not a service I intended on offering but it's what the market is calling for right now.

Donna -- I love your work here. You really pulled it together, girl!

Donna - I had no idea that was an air matress! Is is just one or 2 stacked up - it looked every bit like a real bed.

Karen, Thank you!

Sandy, Thanks, It's only one mattress on a metal frame.

DEC

2008

Staging lite but not light weight. You are first class and this is nice. Good job, and the point is you met the client's needs. That is sometimes the key. Better than before you got there, but within their budget and price range.

Terrylynn, Thanks, I was a little worried about this job at first, but was happy with how it turned out. Actually everyone was happy... me, the Realtor and the homeowners. It was a win-win-win for all!

DEC

2008

light staging is better than no staging. It gives the buyers an idea of the space and use.

This is my most favorite way of staing a vacant property. It keeps the costs down for the seller and sells the home. What more can you want.

Hi Virginia, I staged my second "lite" stage today, and I have to say I'm kinda liking them. They don't take very long and the end results have been pleasing.

DEC

2008

Donna...I appreciate your post on this subject, I Stage in Jonesboro & I do find that some people are reluctant to call on my services because they feel that it is always very costly. I too love to offer this service.... Even warming up a property a little is so much better than doing nothing at all & I feel that doing as much or as little as a client needs is just good customer service. I admire your work & obvious flexibility with your clients.

Amanda, I included an article in my newsletter this month for this service and received a call 15 minutes after it went out. I think it's going to be a good service for me to offer in my area.

It's good to see another stager from Arkansas here on Activerain. I don't have time this morning but I'm going to send you an email later today.

DEC

2008

I think this is a part of staging for this economy we have to offer. It is so much better than just vignettes.

DEC

2008

Hi Cindy, I spoke to the REA yesterday, she said every agent that has seen this house has raved about the staging. I checked the house and several of my cards were gone. Hope this means I'll be getting more calls for this type of work.

JAN

2009

Donna,

Thanks for the post on this lite staging. I have hesitated to offer this because I have felt in the past when looking at others' vignettes, that it just looked half hazzard. Yours was a bit more than vignettes and I think it is an alternative that needs to be offered now. The all or nothing is really slowing down my own staging business. With the new year arriving, it's a great time to add this in and also send out an email blast announcing it.

I'm curious - when you give your proposal, do you also offer full staging prices or just the one choice? Would you share more about how you propose this type of project?

Thanks again - you've inspired me and others,

Melody

HI Donna, you did a professional job in highlighting the property, creating desire , and initiated an positive reaction for the seller. Way to go! Your Staging lite was just the ticket to kick start your business in this changing market. Really like the bedroom. Did you find that no one commented on the fact that it was blow up mattress?

Donna,

Forgot to say you did a great job and deserve all the compliments!

Mel

Great job Donna. I agree with you, the local market and what it needs is important.

You have helped inspire my partner and me to offer lite staging as a service. Everywhere we go, we hear people say they can't afford staging, because the cost of a full staging truly is prohibitive to them. We, too, want to provide some level of staging to all homeowners, and this is the level the times seem to be calling for.

Donna, you have inspired me too!

I would love to read your article on lite staging that you included in your newsletter. I'm going to announce this new service to all my agents as part of my new year changes.

When you charged for this, did you just charge a flat rate or per room? I'm interested in anything you can share on this as I think about the many jobs I've bid on that I too received the response of "Too expensive".

Mel

JAN

2009

Donna, I, too, would like to offer "lite " staging on my list of services offered. I have not offered vignette staging as I feel it does not add enough to the space. Do you decide upon what goes into a lite staging space by space or do you have a set menu of offerings for each room? Would you send me a copy of your article?

Thank you

Diane Palazzo

Rooms to Improve

Donna - Great job! Sometimes we have to do what we have to do. I agree that even a little staging is better than none at all. Keep up the good work.

I think you still managed to bring in a warmer feeling and some sense of scale. Good job!

JAN

2009

Hi all, sorry for not commenting, I've not been feeling very well lately. But to answer some questions...I just started doing this so it's still new and I am still learning. But this all started with the Realtor, this is what she asked for because of the price point of the home. The lease agreement that she had feel through so the house is still staged. So far I'm charging about 1/2 of what I would for a full staging job. But I have a lot less expense involved. I'm trying to target modest priced homes and rentals with this service. Larger homes I'm still quoting full staging as I feel this would be most beneficial for the home, but would not rule out a lighter staging . Some of you asked about the article in my newsletter, I have copied it below. Hope this helps. Thanks for all the great comments.

Lowell LR Do you have a investment property or a modest priced listing that needs some warmth added? Then staging light may be the answer. Staging light consists of bringing in small pieces of furniture and accessories to add warmth and showcase the homes features. Several times with investments properties or modest priced homes as with this early 70's home shown here, a punch of color was needed against the white walls. And this vignette is now the first impression buyers have when entering the home...and not just a blank white space. Light staging costs about 1/2 of full staging. With today's economy this may be an alternative for your clients. You may also want to consider light staging for your rental properties, when the property is leased the furnishings can be moved to another property. Call for details. Let light staging work for you! Please feel free to forward this Real Estate Show to clients that may be interested in light staging. www.realestateshows.com/357036 CALL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE TODAY!

JAN

2009

This is a very good idea... as our market here in Mountain Home is probably not quite as trendy as yours... if you don't mind me asking what you charge for your various services, it might help me hit my target market in price for my area. You can email me directly at joadams@serendipityredesign.com

Jo, I'll email you tomorrow. It's getting late and I need to get in bed! I would be more than happy to share with you. Thanks for stopping by.

This blog does not allow anonymous comments

Donna Schoby

Fayetteville, AR

More about me…

Liberty Bank of Arkansas

Address: Serving Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, & Bentonville, Fayetteville, AR, 72701

Office Phone: (479) 236-6784

Cell Phone: (479) 236-6784

Email Me

Listings

Links

Archives

Find AR real estate agents and Fayetteville real estate on ActiveRain.

Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.