a wonderful space: Stager? Or Con Artist?
- 03/13/11 01:50 PM
I watched a movie the other day in which the main character is a real estate stager in Boston. On a trip to Ireland, she found herself explaining to one of the locals what a stager does. Not skipping a beat, he says "Oh, so you're a con artist."
According to the dictionary, a con artist is a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud. Let's look at how a stager and a con artist are different: The carpet in a living room shows a lot of wear and tear in the main traffic areas. A con artist might … (28 comments)
a wonderful space: A RIDDLE, the color RED, and a quick REMODEL!
- 05/19/09 09:45 AM
I was called in by my Realtor, to help a condo which had been on the market for MONTHS! The owner had moved out, but rented the condo, furniture and all. I called the seller to see what she was willing to do. Her answer was "whatever it takes". I LOVE these clients! I previewed the property and came up with a plan. First, the RIDDLE: When is a cookbook NOT a cookbook?
The answer?
When it's wallpaper!
This wallpaper was used as the backsplash in the kitchen! Convenient? Yes! … (16 comments)
a wonderful space: STAGING PASSES TEST...with FLYING COLORS!!!
- 11/12/08 01:13 PM
With a struggling economy and a sea of unsold properties, my staging company was put to the test. I was called in to stage a nice older home, fresh from a complete remodel. Feedback was the bedrooms seemed too small, even for the smallest of beds. "I'll stage it for one month", the agent/owner told me. "If it doesn't sell, I'm going to rent it out". YIKES!!!
The rooms were small, but I knew they would look bigger with furniture in them (something that non-stagers have a hard time understanding)!
A queen size bed fits … (39 comments)
a wonderful space: A partner in staging...who doesn't want to get PAID???
- 08/25/08 04:22 AM
Here in Colorado, I have a partner in staging, who always comes through, and never demands payment. Her name is Mother Nature and her contribution to the homes I stage is priceless. Here are two examples of her handiwork:
But, Mother Nature can only do so much, because buyers will live INSIDE their home. And, that is where I come in:
I think the combination of... 1. Great clients, who were willing to paint inside and out, AND follow my recommendation for new lighting, AND hire a professional stager! … (23 comments)
a wonderful space: Should you call me before or after? Oh heck...JUST CALL ME!!!
- 07/08/08 07:30 AM
Even though I tell my agents to stage their listings before they go on the market, I just love to be called in after they have been sitting on the market for awhile! And, the reason? Buyer feedback! It's kind of like the difference between saying to your mechanic "it's making a funny noise" and "my muffler fell off on the highway". Buyer feedback gives me exactly the information I need. This RES demonstrates what I am talking about:
This home was staged by A WONDERFUL SPACE. Call 303-870-9173 for a free preview!
… (25 comments)
a wonderful space: Decorating vs Staging...what's the difference?
- 07/02/08 05:20 AM
Bob Schenkenberger brought up this great question. I thought I would take a shot at explaining it, but would welcome all stagers to assist me! The first thing I did was check an online dictionary, but that was really not helpful, because the terms "stage" and "staging" have taken on a new meaning in recent years. Here is the definition for DECORATE from thefreedictionary.com: TO FURNISH OR ADORN WITH SOMETHING ORNAMENTAL; EMBELLISH As a professional stager, to me, decorating is furnishing and accessorizing a space, with the taste and lifestyle of the homeowners in mind. Staging is decorating, also, but in a manner which showcases … (31 comments)
My mission? Enhance the showings on a newly built $1.3 Million home.
The challenge: Feedback from showings is that the main living area is too dark, and the kitchen is too modern.
MY challenges: The client is a friend The budget is TINY A recent tornado in our area has made rental furniture scarce There is a ton of dark wood in this space Here is what I had to … (44 comments)
a wonderful space: Springtime in the Rockies...gotta love it!!!
- 04/27/08 05:36 AM
I truly love the state of Colorado! It's the seventh state I have lived in...and the last! For someone who likes photography, there isn't a better place to live, and I don't even have to leave my own backyard. Spring is always interesting here, because we could have temperatures in the 80's one day and snow the next. Spring snow is one of my favorites, because it looks beautiful, doesn't usually come with real cold air, and is gone the next day. It's just like a quick little show of the magic Mother Nature has up her sleeve!
Thanks for … (8 comments)
a wonderful space: Does Your Home Say Welcome...or GO AWAY!!!
- 03/26/08 11:05 AM
When I was training to be a stager, my instructor told the class that she likes to create little bath arrangements and tuck them in the towels. She leaves them with the seller as a complimentary gift, and considers it to be a trademark of sorts. I thought it was a clever idea, and started thinking about what I could have as my "signature" when I stage a home. It didn't take me long, because the answer was obvious. My logo is a front door, and I really believe in the value of a good first impression. Sooo...Voila! My complimentary Welcome Mat … (13 comments)
I get an email from an agent who found me right here on ActiveRain (my second project with him!). He has a townhome listing coming up, can I meet him there and discuss what the homeowners should take with them, and what should stay in the home? I meet him at the property. I take photos, return to my office, put together a proposal, and a list of each item I want to stay in the home. The agent calls to say that the owners … (26 comments)
a wonderful space: Everyone HAS one...USE IT!!!
- 02/22/08 01:35 AM
I'm talking about your face! If you don't have your picture on your marketing material, you are missing out! You've probably heard it before, but I think this is important. When I worked in a real estate office, we received notepads from an insurance agent at least once a month. They were good quality (not the kind in which the cardboard back comes off the first time you use them) and they had a small photo of the agent. He was very consistent, to the point where I eventually had them at home and in my car. When I became a stager, … (41 comments)
a wonderful space: From Vacant to Va...va...VOOM!
- 01/29/08 10:30 AM
I get asked by agents and sellers alike to describe the different levels of staging. And I always say, a picture is worth a thousand words: Vacant- cold, stark, and uninviting, any flaws would be very apparent. Lightly Staged- artwork and accessories draw attention to the best features of the home. Vignettes- small areas staged to accentuate positive features and detract from negative ones. Fully Staged- allows buyers to view the home at it's greatest potential. This is a very easy way to explain the cost levels involved in staging too. One of these examples will fit into most budgets. I'd like to thank my friends Michele … (54 comments)
For information on this home, please contact Laura Cowperthwaite/Keller Williams Denver Central at 303-726-1051. This home was proudly staged by A Wonderful Space Home Staging And Redesign!
I watched a movie the other day in which the main character is a real estate stager in Boston. On a trip to Ireland, she found herself explaining to one of the locals what a stager does. Not skipping a beat, he says "Oh, so you're a con artist." 
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