Hey Phyllis, here is aBefore and after on a house under 300K (Pix are before story behind them)

Family room before

Dining room before

Master bedroom before

Master Bath before

Family Room After

Dining Room After

Master Bedroom After

Master Bath After

Boy's room 1 B-4Boy's Room 1 After

Boy's Bedroom 2 B-4Boy's Bedroom 2 After

Toddler's Room B-4Toddler's Room After

Eat-in kitchen B-4

After Staging

This blog is in response to Phyllis's blog on houses under 300K being staged.

 Now that you have seen the pics, here is the story.  Client found me on the internet when she searched Google for a Home Stager.  I interviewed her on the phone about her goals and her budget,then we agreed to meet.

 The home is 35 miles from where I live.  It is a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath with a floored attic, 2 car garage and a basement storage area. Though a bit cluttered, the house had very little furniture and most of the space was occupied by children's toys, play area and music training. The price is $266,000.

The family consists of Mom, Dad, a 6 yr. old, a 4 yr. old and a 2 yr. old toddler( all boys).  When I asked the owner if she wanted live plants in her home, she said "Oh no, its all I can do to keep my boys alive!"

 I approached the job initially as a DIY with follow up by the hour.  The presentation was a 22 page document with suggestions for every room which the owners were to do themselves.  When they were ready, I followed up with a visit to further hone the process.  The house was a bee hive of activity , mainly feeding the boys, that is why there are no kitchen pics either before or after.  It was staged, I just could not get a pic.  Just as it looked as though progress was being made all the boys got pink eye and ear infections.  Mom got bronchitis, and I got a stomach virus which was a near death experience.  Ok so we got set back a week.

Finally I, and my assistant along with the homeowners, wrestled the house down and got it finished.  This is what I did.

1. DIY proposal

2. Follow up with more direction to owner as she deep cleaned, packed, decluttered and depersonalized

3.  Added mirrors, artwork, flowers and dishes, accent plants, lamps and pillows etc.

 What I charge for a DIY

 $500.00 for the initial proposal

$50.00/hr for shopping and follow-up

$20.00 for an assistant

 10% month of the total dollar amount of accessories  with a 90 day minimum

I was in this house so much that the 2 yr old began helping me and picked up things as soon as he saw me coming in the door.  He knew when he saw me things got moved around.  I loved it!