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First impressions count that's why we take it all off

By
Home Stager with Stage-Show-Sell

Sellers, it's the first impression that count in selling your home.   My job as an Orchestrator is to point out that would be distracting to potential buyers of your home and remedy it.

My job is to see the home as the buyer would and take away the negative and accentuate the positive.

This is a picture of a vent in a home the owner wanted me to ready for sale.  He wanted the pretty furniture and art and wouldn't take care of the details.

What's the point?   It's like putting on a suit and have spaghetti sauce on your shirt.

bad paint on master bedroom vent heater

Stage-Show-Sell takes the time to make sure all the details are taken care of.

Many of the homes built in the 20s thru 40s have unusual vents that are hard to replace.   It's important to keep the character of the homes and it's interesting bring them back to original condition.

As the layers of paint are peeled away the history of colors become apparent.

My process is to wrap the vents in foil (not plastic) and pour citrus strip over the vent.   Let is steep for 24 hours.  Wash and scrape away the years of neglect and colors.

 

 

White -- green -- peach  -- blue.   I call this the reveal.

Another soak and it will be ready for priming.

 

This is from another home.   Same idea

bath vent before

AND AFTER

clean bath vent

 

OK  I CHEATED AND PAINTED THE CABINET TOO

 


Posted by

Stage-Show-Sell, offers affordable home staging solutions in the Birmingham - Bloomfield and surrounding areas in getting your home ready for the market. We service both home sellers and realtors. We have the experience, our own rental furniture and accessories to stage many homes. We specialize in Estate work. The house can be put into our hands for the whole process of getting the house on the market

 

Robyn Guinn
StageAZ - Phoenix, AZ
Home staging, Arizona

Hi Virginia, love the analogy, take it offffffffff is right.  I bet it's very pretty when you are finished.  It's the details that can make or break a deal.  Smart lady.

Jan 21, 2009 02:46 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Take it off, take it all off!!! Great analogy and post.  So glad you are back "staging hoot"   

Jan 21, 2009 05:26 PM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

It's all in the details!

Jan 21, 2009 08:44 PM
Marianne Sweet
Home Sweet Home Staging - Rochester Hills, MI
Home Sweet Home Staging, LLC Rochester Hills, MI

Hey, was that a reference to my spaghetti mishap at lunch yesterday????????

Jan 21, 2009 10:03 PM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

Gee Marianne you always make it about you   :-)

I didn't think about that when I was stumbling thru this post.   It's been so long since I've been on AR that it's difficult.

I love writing about the not so usual.

Jan 22, 2009 11:49 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Awesome post!  I love a good analogy.  I had the same problem once.  The client thought that rearranging the furniture and adding some pillows was enough.  The trim paint was smudged on the walls and the outlets were painted and scratched.  People notice these small details and see them as evidence of poor maintenance. 

Jan 22, 2009 11:50 AM
Wendy Timmons
Move Home Realty - Temecula, CA
Temecula Realtor

Great post Virginia! It is amazing when the little things are put aside! They do tell a story...... I have missed you and your posts  :)

Jan 24, 2009 01:25 AM
Loan Survivor Real Estate Financing Expert
Purchases, First Time Buyers, Pre-Approvals, Refinance - Birmingham, MI

Wow, great angle on the story and helpful pics! 

Jan 24, 2009 11:16 AM
Gail Milazzo
Washington, DC

That was alot of work, but so worth it.  Painted plug covers and nasty looking vents really
kill the picture of all the staging work done.
Great idea I will try it.

Jan 26, 2009 11:58 PM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

I love the details of getting a house ready.  I'm so glad that you all agree

Jan 31, 2009 11:35 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Broker/Short Sale & Staging Specialist - Crosby, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Great title and good info on the stripping of the years and the neglect.

Feb 02, 2009 05:00 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Virginia - Wow!  That's pretty impressive.  I agree that the "finishing touches" should not be overlooked...  :)

Feb 06, 2009 01:44 AM
Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC - Flint, MI
Broker, ABR, CRS, PMN, WCR, At Home With Diversity

i'm reposting, thanks for sharing...

Feb 08, 2009 09:56 AM