We all watch those reality home staging improvement shows on HGTV...

In what seems like a day... A home that has been haplessly sitting on the Market, goes from drab and hopeless, to totally fabulous.  The makeover is incredible!  From a whole new kitchen (including appliances and really cute back-splash glass tiles) to a household full of new furnishings - All for a mire $2000.00!

WOW, Staging sure seems remarkable.

Well, just like a sub-prime mortgage.... What seems too good to be true, well, is.  The truth is - the TV show has a behind-the-scene staff of around 20, and they got that cute glass tile for free - Check the credits....  If you actually totaled the actual real-time labor and material cost you'd be at least five times that price, if not more...

But have no fear, ALL staging doesn't have to cost you a pretty penny - In fact, if smartly done, staging can make a huge impact -without the hefty price tag.  The trick is having a smart Realtor and a good Stager.  The smart Realtor knows that staging is going to take the home to the next level, and is the ultimate marketing tool.  The good Stager is packed with creativity, and can advise the homeowner on cost effective updates that don't break the break, and will give you a bang for your buck to boot.

-Take my two latest staging as examples. 

ONE - Done two weeks ago - This poor empty town home that had sat on the market for over 250 days.  Now with a new Realtor, the Realtor brought in her Stager - Smart Realtor.  The now out-of-state owners were willing to have the unit merchandised within a small budget. I worked with the existing color scheme, removed, touched up, and staged the unit within a frugal budget.  The products were purchased JUST for the unit, and will stay with the unit when sold (A sassy marketing tool...)  Beside just merchandise, a small bistro set and air bed were used to enhance the space. The home was listed just over $200,000.00 the staging cost around $2000.00. 

The home was staged on Monday, the home went on the Market that weekend, and they had a Buyer on Tuesday.  The home is currently under contract.  So within 48 hours of going on the market, the home had a buyer... WOW, Staging is truly remarkable.

http://www.realestateshows.com/show.php?id=371391&resize=1

TWO - My second staging was just done this past Saturday. The home had been on the market since September, with no interest, and now has a new Realtor - who brought me in. Smart Realtor.  From my suggestions the now, out-of-state seller agreed a few weeks to painting a few key rooms of the home (SW-Steamed Milk.) The paint crew worked Thursday and Friday.  I came in at 8am. on Saturday morning to stage the home.  With some merchandising, using what was left in the Unit, and a few additional purchases (lamp shades and towels not in my stock) - The home was staged. They have a rental contract up to 6 months for the product. The home is listed for $250,000.00. The staging was around $2500.00, and that included painting.

With a bit of advertising the Realtor has had 12 showings since Sunday, all with gushing reviews,  and  THREE very interested prospects, and another showing tonight. UPDATE: AN OFFER ON TUESDAY,  AND IS IN NEGOTIATION !!! SO, STAGED ON SATURDAY, WRITTEN OFFER ON TUESDAY...

http://www.realestateshows.com/show.php?mls=basic&id=374821 

So, with a bit a frugality, a great selling & marketing team - You too can stage your home on a budget.

Since 1999, Julea Joseph has owned a Chicago based design and staging business - Reinventing Space.  She specializes in giving homeowners expert insight on how to refresh, style and celebrate their space -Whether prepping their home to go on the market, just settling in, or just in need of a change.  She also offers educational, seminar and mentoring services to the public and others in the industry.