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Is the Kitchen Dragging Your Listing Down? It Doesn't Have To...

Everyone knows that a kitchen can make or break a sale. With some major de-cluttering and a minor remodeling job a tired kitchen can become the queen of the prom! So to speak. The elements that went into this makeover were a new stove, sink, countertops, hardware, light fixtures, fresh paint and 19 inch vinyl floor tiles.

Everything except the countertops came from Lowes. They came from IKEA. The cost for the materials was just under $1500 and most of the labor could be tackled by a reasonably handy homeowner. It was well worth it--this was the only house that sold in Ballard in the 400-450k price range in the month of December.

The furniture, window treatments and accessories were all courtesy of the Stager. That would be me!

Posted by Susan Peters - The Better it Looks the Better it Sells on 03/01/2009 07:50 PM

Comments (40)

staging tips, seattle, kitchen makeover, staging

This post has been included in Washington Information King County, WA Information Seattle, WA Information
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40 Comments on Is the Kitchen Dragging Your Listing Down? It Doesn't Have To...

MAR

Hi Susan--What a great kitchen transformation that was so budget friendly as well! Great job!!

Have a great night,

Anne Rains

Hey Susan, looks wonderful. You turned a scary kitchen into a dream. Congrats on the sale!

Very nice, it deserved to sell, and congrats to the Stager (you)!

I am amazed. Maybe I should hire you for one of my listings. The house looks just like that one.

All of that and you managed to make it an eat in kitchen too! Another added benefit! Looks great!

Wow, another amazing transformation Susan. You'd never know there was enough room for a table and chairs. Beautiful!

WOW Susan, these folks hired the right person. You did a marvelous job and for a really small budget. I had to keep scrolling back and forth to confirm that these were actually the same rooms. People should be lining up to give you their listings!

Susan! I almost fell off my chair from the "before" photo! The "afters" ~ fresh & clean ~ love 'em. You really brought the area to a beautiful place to show.

Wow Susan ~ that kitchen went from clutter hell to staging heaven, so to speak. You gave your seller fabulous recommendations and it's no surprise this home sold quickly! Another staging success for you ~ congrats!

Congratulations, Susan! You did a great job transforming the ghastly kitchen into a cook's dream - on a budget! Well done.

MAR

I can't believe the change and am flabbergasted by the amount of money that it took! Very well worth it and I would have thought the cost was much more. I didn't even recognize the kitchen in the second picture and had to go back to make sure it was the same one! That is beautiful work.

Hard to believe this is the same kitchen!! Looks so wonderful now. Great update. Thank you for sharing with us.

NICE! I'm surprised the sellers didn't want to stay after you worked your magic! LOL! This is a fabulous kitchen makeover on a budget!

wow - what a dramaric transformation! $1500? Are you sure? I think I need to see receipts on that one - outstanding!

Fantastic work, done on the clients budget and the results are like night and day.

Another reason to interview several Stagers to see which one has the plan to market your home to buyers, the one that can give buyers what they want to see and make it come together on time and on budget. Like any other professional, each Stager brings different skills to the table and you definitely excell in the makeover area.

Oh my gosh, that's one fantastic transformation! I love it!

That's quite simply AMAZING. In a home with a price tag of $400 - $450K you would expect the kitchen to look like that. Nice job.

This is portfolio material, to be sure! Great transformation, and just goes to show how little it really takes, regarding money. Time and effort, well thats another thing, but it was SO worth it!

Oh My word. What an absolutely amazing transformation.

Congratulations. Your post is being featured in the group Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

All I can say is WOW! Just an incredible transformation. Congrats to you and your very happy clients!

Hi Susan, I vote for you to be on HGTV's "Designed to Sell" if the show ever decides to come to Seattle! Those sellers are very fortunate to have you as their realtor/stager.

You are a MASTER! What a transformation no wonder you are one of the top Realtors in the area :) Kym

WowWowWow! The "before" photo took my breath away when your page opened up, but the results were breathtaking in the best way! The kitchen has improved exponentially with its upgrade, both visually and functionally. And truly, that's an affordable kitchen upgrade -- not every kitchen has to have a complete top-of-the-line overhaul. This was appropriate to the property. Nice work, Susan!

I'll say that's a deal breaker, now it's a deal maker...and very reasonably done!

MAR

Holy Cow!!! I feel like I just saw pictures from Designed to Sell on HGTV. Absolutely stunning. Beautiful job. You should be very proud of yourself.

WOW!!!!! What a huge difference. I love seeing older occupied make overs.

I'm not sure words could adequately portray how amazing a change this is... but the photos surely do! Excellent job!

I just love transformations like that! Who says an older kitchen can't look fabulous on a small budget. You did a great job! The photography is beautiful, too.

It looks just FAAABUUULOUS! How long did this transformation take? Just curious. I have one that I'm working on that's similiar and I'm just curious how long a project like this might take if the seller were to take on the work themselves.

Susan, was that really the same kitchen? You did a really great job, congratulations.

Susan, now that's a transformation! Fabulous job, you really made a difference. Just wondering, I usually remove knives, because of the danger factor, is there a reason you left them out?

MAR

Dramatic transformation Susan - and to top it off you managed it on a small budget. I am speechless. . . .WOW!! Superior work!

MAR

OMG.....I'm speachless (that speaks volumes! =)

MAR

I've worn out my mouse going back and forth between the before & after! I am inspired to work on my own kitchen now. I didn't want to do anything if I couldn't do a whole remodel, but this gives me motivation! Fantastic job!

Anne: In this economy budget is key.

Tanya: De-cluttering was half the battle

Norma: Thanks!

Gene: Let me know. I'm going to be in Virginia next week.

Allegra: Since this house didn't have a formal dining room the eat-in kitchen really helped.

Debbie: The space was there all the time.

Ginger: I promise you it's the same kitchen! Lol.

Susan: Don't fall off your chair. It's a long way down. Thanks!

Maureen:The fact that the sellers were realistic about the price made a big difference too.

Nancy: Thanks!

Cathy: It's my pleasure.

MAR

Libby: The photography is much better in the after pictures too.

Teresa: They were ready to move on and I'm going to help them with their new house.

Leesa: I guess I'll have to post the price breakdown.

Michelle: you're absolutely right. Sellers need to vet their stagers.

Judy: Thanks for commenting.

Sandi: An icky kitchen won't cut it in any price range.

Cheryl: It took us about one month to do the entire house.

Kathy: Thanks!!!

Annie: Wow is the reaction I was going for.

Dianne: They should come to Seattle. We have some great stagers here.

Kym: I don't think I'm one of the top but my listings are selling.

Leslie: Appropriate to the pocket book too.

Cindy: That sounds like a song.

Chrissie, Maureen and Melissa: Thanks! It's a lot of work but it's definitely rewarding.

Andrea: Thanks to Dave Scheifelbien, one of my favorite photographers.

Emma: About 1 month.

Dan and Amy: It is the same kitchen.

Joanne: I leave the knives out on purpose. I think it says "Chef's Kitchen".

Michelle and Connie: Thanks! The challenge of a small budget brings out the best in most stagers.

Pangaea: It's amazing what a little paint, new fixtures and hardware will do.

MAY

WOW....It's hard to believe this is the same kitchen! It's looks great. Good job!

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