before and after: Occupied Home Staging - Challenging & Rewarding - 11/02/10 05:25 PM
Occupied Home Staging -  There are Challenges and There are Rewards!
 
As a home stager in the Bay Area I stage both vacant and occupied homes as they are being prepared for SALE!  An occupied home staging is challenging for both the seller and the home stager.  
First I consult with the seller on how BEST to present the home and that may mean some difficult changes for the seller.  Then....I need to see how to utilize the sellers furniture and perhaps supplement with some rental items...add accessories, art and now it's showcased.  Once staged the seller will need … (21 comments)

before and after: Staged 'vs' Empty = STAGED will WIN You a Sale! - 10/31/10 12:05 PM
A Staged Home 'vs' an Empty House = Staging will WIN you a SALE!
As a Home Stager I am asked....."Will staging my home really make a Difference?".   I always answer that with a BIG yes....and support the Yes with lots of pictures and stats on my recent stagings and SALES!  
When deciding between Empty vs Staged.....keep in mind:
Empty will seem COLD  'vs'  Staging will create a warm and inviting atmosphere Empty will show small   'vs'  Staging will show larger Empty will not impress  'vs'  Staging will showcase each/every home! Staging a home will WIN you a … (30 comments)

before and after: From Animal Prints TO Sophistication - Re-Style & Re-Design a Guest Room on a Budget! - 10/16/10 05:15 PM
Going from Animal Prints to Sophistication  -  Re-Style & Re-Design on a Budget!
As a home staging company in the Bay Area, one of the services we provide is "Re-Styling & Re-Designing" ....and one of the questions we often hear is "What does that mean?"
Re-Styling or Re-Designing can mean anything from a few small changes....to....new furniture, new accessories, new paint and a completely new look and vibe!  The client is always in charge of the budget and even a modest budget and reap big rewards.
We recently worked on Re-Styling a bedroom.....going from Animal Prints for a "high school/college" daughter.....to … (32 comments)

before and after: LARGE Sectional Sofas in SMALL Rooms - How to Make it WORK! - 10/05/10 09:23 AM
LARGE Sectional Sofas in SMALL Family Rooms  -  How to Make it WORK!
Sectional sofas are found in many Family Rooms.  They can work nicely when for families while living and enjoying their home.  When that home is going on the market.....it needs to work and look differently.
As a home stager I often suggest minimizing these sectionals during the time the home is on the market.  Why?  Buyers are looking for square footage and sectionals take up ALOT of square footage which will make a room appear small and cramped.
This Danville home had a sectional sofa and a large … (22 comments)

before and after: Eichler Home is Re-born....and SOLD in 4 days with Multiple Offers! - 04/23/10 05:09 PM
I have long wanted to work on an Eicher mid-Century modern home.....and was recently asked to take on a project to "make this home new again".  It took a TEAM but it came back to life and was SOLD in 4 days with multiple offers. 
The Before & After shows the transformation:
  Before  -  Living Room
  AFTER  
  Before  -  Dining Room
  AFTER
 
It was a privilege to work on this home....with this family....and with this agent!  Hope this new family will enjoy and love this home!
 
(15 comments)

before and after: An Old Home Becomes NEW Again.....One Incredible & Rewarding Make Over! - 03/27/10 06:24 AM
It was your average Ranch Style home....lived in for 30+ years by the same family...and now needing to be Sold.  Working with the agent and family...we decided that the best outcome would be to invest in a "re-model".  Particularly given the pest report called for extensive work that dictated alot of tear out...we'd put it back NEW!
The family and everyone who saw the before is in AWE of the AFTER!
  Living Room - BEFORE
  AFTER...the "wall" of photo's were the After's which will go to the Family when the home Sells.
  Dining Room - BEFORE
  AFTER
  Family Room - BEFORE
(27 comments)

before and after: Removing 80's Oak....One House at a Time!! - 03/15/10 11:55 AM
Was there ever a time I liked Oak....maybe but that was YEARS ago.  Nothing dates a home like 1980's Oak...and it is so easy to update!!
I recently had the opportunity to work directly with the seller of a $2.3million home that had more than it's share of 80's Oak.  She had been on the market for several months with the feedback "the home is dated"....and that feedback was accurate.  Once we met, came up with a plan, did some shopping and had the painters signed up....it's not "dated" anymore!
  Before    AND....AFTER
Painted the walls and cabinets, removed the medicine cabinet, … (31 comments)

before and after: I Love a Project....This One Finished....Here are the RESULTS! - 02/04/10 02:35 PM
I blogged earlier this week with the Before & During pictures of this project....here are the Before & After's.  I LOVE a project....it is so rewarding to see the vision come alive!!
 Home goes on MLS next week!  Watch for the New Listing!!
  Before  -  Living Room
 
  AFTER  -  Living room
  Before  -  Family Room
  AFTER -  Family Room
 
  Before  -  Dining Room
  AFTER  -  Dinning Room
 
 
(31 comments)

before and after: Awkward Room Configuration - GRAND Results! - 02/01/10 01:16 PM
Some rooms just were not designed to fit the function of the room.  Such was the case with the lovely home which had been on the market for over 200 days with no sale.  The feedback was the Living Room was dark and awkward to arrange.
New Agent asked me to work some magic with this room....HELP!
Here are the results!
Standing in the Entry with a fireplace on the right (part of hearth seen here).  Sofa on "short" wall...loveseat on "long" wall with sofa table and large palm tree in front of the only window!
Close up of "long" wall.
(25 comments)

before and after: I Love a Project....This One Still "In Progress"....see results Friday! - 01/30/10 05:31 AM
One of the most rewarding aspects of home staging for me is when I have the opportunity to work with an agent/seller on a "PROJECT" to update the home!  I can see...in my mind's eye....the potential even when others are skeptics!  The reward comes when they see "IT" too!.
This is a home that was dark, dated and frankly a bit dumpy!  Once the seller moved....the agent and I took over.  Yesterday we did a walk thru and here's the update....
Painted all Interior walls, ceiling and trim....including ceiling in Family Room! Painted Kitchen cabinets Painted Fireplace Installed Baseboards To Do's: … (8 comments)

before and after: 2009 in Review – Home Staging by the Pictures “Before & After”! - 01/01/10 10:50 AM
Reviewing 2009 in Pictures of Before & After Home Staging Transformations!
This time each year I wonder....."what houses are out there that will come my way this year....I wonder?" And then the year takes off and before you know it there have been many houses, many sellers and many transformations.
Here's a few "highlights" from 2009!
  Before  - LIVING ROOM
  AFTER  -  LIVING ROOM
  Before  -  DINING ROOM
  AFTER  -  DINING ROOM
  Before   -  KITCHEN
  AFTER  -  KITCHEN
   Before  -  MASTER BEDROOM
  AFTER  -  MASTER BEDROOM
Great to look back.....but now I wonder....."what houses & opportunities … (20 comments)

before and after: Staged - SOLD - and Picked Up in 30 Days! - 11/16/09 02:20 AM
Here's a Townhome that was Staged - SOLD  - and Picked Up in only 30 Days!
We hear a lot about how difficult the real estate market is today.  We don't hear enough about the real estate successes...and there are homes that are selling!
Here's an example of how a home was listed-staged-SOLD in 30 days.
I saw this townhome in Walnut Creek just as the tenant was moving out.  It needed someTLC.... paint, carpet.  Working with the agent we got that done in 1 week and it was then ready to be staged.
This is a wonderful 3 bedroom 2.5 … (3 comments)

before and after: There is an EASY Way to Update that Brick Fireplace! - 10/22/09 05:07 PM
Those brick fireplaces are in EVERY home built prior to 1990!  Some work….most don’t! Brick fireplaces can make a home look dated and dark…..and can take up value visual square footage…..they make a room look SMALLER!  When selling a house it’s important to make each and every room appear as large as possible…..there is a way to update that fireplace and increase the size of the room!
PAINT those bricks is what I recommend during most home staging consultations.   Initially, most sellers are reluctant…but once they see these Before & After pictures they agree and have the fireplace painted.  It should be painted the same color as the walls or if … (4 comments)

before and after: "The House is PENDING Already.....Thanks to YOU!" - 10/06/09 06:46 AM
These words are always rewarding to hear from an agent or seller!! When I met with the seller the question she had was…..how do we BEST maximize the showing of this home.  With 2 small children and her very style  specific decor I asked if it was possible that she move into her new home and let me stage this one like a “model home”. Within a week she moved and gave me a clean slate to work with….within a week of being on the market they were in contract.                                   Both the agent and sellers are thrilled with the results! The agent sent me an email … (0 comments)

 
Kathy Burke, S.F. East Bay Home Staging  (Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA)

Kathy Burke

S.F. East Bay Home Staging

Danville, CA

More about me…

Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA

Address: San Francisco East Bay, CA

Mobile: (925) 413-9131

Home Staging Tips, Transformations and Assistance for sellers and agents who want to showcase and sell homes in todays challenging Real Estate market!

Home Staging - Since 2005 with Contemporary Style



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