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Going "Lite" On Staging...

Mortgage and Lending with Liberty Bank of Arkansas

November 29, 2008 02:42 PM

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.

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Terrylynn Fisher

Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA

HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

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.

Dec 01, 2008 06:52 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

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 02, 2008 07:36 AM

Virginia Tatseos

Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

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.

Dec 02, 2008 04:45 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

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 03, 2008 09:18 AM

Amanda Barker, Stager, Jonesboro, AR

Staging Spaces, LLC - Jonesboro, AR

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.

Dec 17, 2008 04:06 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

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 17, 2008 11:04 PM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

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

Dec 23, 2008 03:16 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

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.

Dec 24, 2008 12:47 AM

melody salazar

Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

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

Jan 01, 2009 05:01 AM

Michelle Finnamore

Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON

Preparing your property for sale

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?

Jan 01, 2009 05:14 AM

melody salazar

Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

Donna,

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

Mel

Jan 01, 2009 05:35 AM

Teresa J. Ramey

ReDecorating with Style - Florence, SC

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

Jan 01, 2009 05:46 AM

Laurie Calhoun

Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL

Seminole County FL Home Stager

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.

Jan 01, 2009 12:45 PM

melody salazar

Salazar Staging & Custom Interiors - New Braunfels, TX

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 01, 2009 01:17 PM

Diane Palazzo

5280 Real Estate Staging - Littleton, CO

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

Jan 02, 2009 10:35 AM

Debbie Wheeler

Real Estate Staging/Rooms Rearranged, LLC - Chandler, AZ

Chandler, AZ Rooms Rearranged RESA, IRIS

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.

Jan 02, 2009 11:45 AM

Melissa Marro

Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL

Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

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

Jan 02, 2009 12:38 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

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 03, 2009 04:20 AM

Jo Adams

Jo Adams Properties Investment Property Specialist & Real Estate Services, LLC - Mountain Home, AR

Investment Property Specialist

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

Jan 22, 2009 03:45 PM

Donna Schoby

Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

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.

Jan 22, 2009 03:50 PM

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