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We DO judge a book by it's cover!

By Tessa Skeens

Home Stager with Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign

March 20, 2009 06:09 AM

When was the last time you picked up a magazine or book with no picture on the cover?

If you were searching for a particular title or subject you might overlook a missing book jacket but how many magazines would survive on the rack with no photos or artwork?
Magazine cover
Like it or not we do judge a book by it's cover. We grab the magazines or books that appeal to our senses. Whether it's a glamorous cover shot promising to show us the way to eternal beauty or a beautifully decorated room, we buy what appeals to us.

The creative people who design these covers know how important the cover shot is. They use props and lighting and drama to get us to bite or buy.

Can you see the analogy here? When you are selling your house, you want buyers to do the same. By using all the right "props" and having a professional home stager "style" your home, your home photos become the cover that grabs your buyers interest.

Home staging can create the compelling image that tempts buyers to pick your home "off the rack"!

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Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Tessa ~ it's so true, the photo stylists really know how to draw us in with their clever placement of furnishings and props -- and of course great photography. Nice analogy to how home staging benefits a seller!

Mar 20, 2009 06:18 AM

SHARON CHARBONEAU

UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES - Sechelt, BC

Tessa,

A very clever comparison. Good thinking.

Is there such a magazine as Staged Homes?

Mar 20, 2009 06:20 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Tessa, a picture is worth a thousand words and that visual appeal makes or breaks a deal or no deal even starts. That's what makes Stagers so invaluable.

Mar 20, 2009 07:37 AM

Tessa Skeens

Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO

Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Maureen - in my former ;) life I art directed photo shoots and styling just means someone took the time to think about how the product was presented. And after all that's what staging is all about!

Thank you Sharon! No that Staged Homes is a figment of my creation, but wouldn't it be nice if there was one!

I agree Gary and thanks for sharing that. When it comes to choosing a house online we can only use our sense of sight to determine the next step. The other senses come into play once they drive up and home Stagers can help with all 4!

Mar 20, 2009 07:53 AM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Tessa, from directing photo shoots to staging what a great transition. I am going to have to "create" something like this for my next agent newsletter. Another very well done and nicely presented analogy, thank you!

Mar 20, 2009 09:29 AM

Tessa Skeens

Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO

Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Good to hear from you Ginger and thank you for your warm comments. I am having more fun "home" styling than ever - getting paid is a bonus!

Mar 20, 2009 12:39 PM

Diana Young

Staging Seattle, King & Snohomish Counties - Edmonds, WA

Hi Tessa, I love your "magazine"! I'd purchase it just by looking at the cover.

Mar 20, 2009 01:19 PM

Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

You are brilliant Tessa! I want to subscribe!! Very clever!!

Mar 20, 2009 02:13 PM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Very true, it's all about emotion and what's appealing to us.

Mar 20, 2009 04:47 PM

Virginia Tatseos

Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

You have coined a new phrase for all of us. Thanks

Mar 20, 2009 08:32 PM

Tessa Skeens

Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO

Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Hi Diana - glad you like "Staged Homes" Who knows one of these days we may see a magazine devoted to our "art"!

Thank you Cathy Lee! I appreciate that.

Cindy that's true. When we make an emotional connection we're already predisposed to want to buy (or at least look!)

I love analogies Virginia - can't you tell?!

Mar 21, 2009 03:37 AM

Karen Otto

Home Star Staging - Plano, TX

Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Like this post Tessa! Having a great photographer is also key to showing the staged house to it's best potential.

Mar 21, 2009 09:59 AM

Tessa Skeens

Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO

Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Hey Karen! I agree. In fact I dug out the manual to my camera this week finally. A pro is preferred but I want to be able to take the best shots possible with my own camera when needed.

Vivian - I pay attention to both the visual and the written but when the visual doesn't match the description it's always a red flag to me and I'm sure buyers too. Appreciate your feedback on my magazine cover!

Mar 21, 2009 01:35 PM

c m

Colorado Springs, CO

Very nice! Art directing, photo styling and visual merchandising are all great segue careers to staging, I think! A very long time ago I was the Visual Merchandising Mgr. at the Hulen Mall, Sanger Harris, and then Foleys. North Hills Mall, too!

Mar 21, 2009 05:33 PM

Michele Hess

Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL

Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Great analogy Tessa! Love the look of your magazine - very creative. It would catch my eye on the rack! Point taken.

Mar 22, 2009 12:58 AM

Tessa Skeens

Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO

Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Cheryl I did a double take when I read your post. Hulen Mall is just 15 minutes from me. I thought you were local and I had missed you somehow! I've always thought visual merchandising would be so much fun! I think that's why I love staging. You get to work with real stuff instead of moving things around on a computer screen!

Appreciate you stopping by Michele. What do you think the chances are of home stagers having a national magazine to promote our work? Wouldn't that be great!

Mar 22, 2009 04:13 AM