real estate staging: It don't mean a thing if it aint got that bling! - 07/23/09 10:50 PM
Many people think it is simple to stage a vacant property. We've all seen the television shows and all stagers do is bring in furniture to show the size and function of a room right? Perhaps after reading this you may re-evaluate what qualified home stagers do, for there is a definite "method to our madness".

Some time ago I viewed a small, vacant 1 bedroom condo and after submitting a proposal to merchandise the property for sale, the homeowners decided they could save money by doing it themselves. They were very nice people and when they called to let me … (33 comments)

real estate staging: Stimulating The Appetite To Buy... kitchens and home staging. - 11/06/08 12:33 AM


Warning: the photos in this blog may cause you to feel a sense of hunger, thirst or the desire to stage your kitchen!
We've all heard it said that "the kitchen is the heart of the home". If you've ever had guests over for dinner or thrown a cocktail party, you know that people tend to congregate in the kitchen. In my experience as a home stager, the kitchen is often the room most overlooked by home sellers.
According to a poll conducted in 2006 by Maritz Research, 52% of buyers said the kitchen had the most … (34 comments)

real estate staging: What A Difference A Day Makes - A Vancouver Home Staging Transformation - 02/29/08 04:01 PM
During our initial consultation, a recent Reveal Estate client realized she needed our help to prepare her home for sale. Budget was a concern and the property was being listed as a one bedroom and den within a week. Our team enjoys a staging challenge and I looked forward to the opportunity to help her move forward with a sale.
A few days later she left for work in the morning with her condo looking like this...
 
 
  
Later that morning, we arrived on the scene with a desk, chair, artwork, greenery and a few accessories. We edited and reconfigured the furnishings and … (47 comments)

real estate staging: Vancouver buyers look down on home staging... - 02/19/08 02:16 AM
 
... when they view this property.
 
 
They see that a room that is 10 feet wide and 16 feet long can function as both living room and a dining area.
Have another look...
 
 
Appropriately scaled furniture and the strategic placement of artwork help create dimension and flow.
 

 
Reveal Estate is a full service Home Staging company located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Need your small space staged? Contact us! 
 
… (55 comments)

real estate staging: Home Staging for Occupied Properties - a mathematical perspective. - 01/12/08 02:24 PM

A fraction of the many transformations by Reveal Estate Home Staging have been of owner occupied properties. Lately however, projects have been more equally divided between vacant and occupied listings. Several factors are increasing our business of merchandising lived in properties. Perhaps the largest factor is increased awareness. The home staging industry is gaining credibility at an exponential rate.
Homeowners are realizing that...
They do not have the time, inclination and knowledge required to prepare their residence for sale.It is difficult to take the angle of a potential buyer and objectively evaluate your own home. Adding a qualified home stager into … (38 comments)

real estate staging: Blah Turned Spa - a home staging transformation - 09/19/07 03:00 PM
Consider this typical 1980's bathroom. Although large, clean and functional the overall appearance is dated and rather sterile. Can you imagine relaxing in that tub? With the door left open attention is centered around the bidet, leaving buyers with a less than desirable impression. 
 
    
  
With a small investment in accessories, the dated design is downplayed and the functionality of this space is highlighted. New life is breathed into the room by adding plants, complimentary prints, and coordinating linens. 
 
 
Candles, soap and extra towels provide the finishing touch and help buyers imagine a soothing escape.
 

Reveal Estate is a full service home … (39 comments)

real estate staging: Like Night and Day - a home staging transformation - 09/17/07 12:56 AM
One of my favorite aspects of my work as a home stager is revealing the finished product to the client. I enjoy seeing their widened eyes and the suprised looks on their faces. One of my clients this summer commented that the before and after photos on our website were "like night and day". So in an attempt to jump back into the blogosphere I wanted to share with you one of our recent transformations. To date this property has been one of my favorites. My intent with this after photo was to capture the amazing view of the city skyline across the bay during dusk.  I think you will agree the change in … (39 comments)

real estate staging: Traditional Is Conditional - Home Staging Furniture - 07/16/07 10:49 PM
I was inspired to write this blog by fellow stager Eva Rivera, after she kindly commented on the use of modern furniture in our recent projects. Some of you have been wondering if we ever use traditional furniture, to date we have not. Doing so would appeal to fewer potential buyers and limit the opportunity for maximizing the selling price. Keep in mind that we are located in a large urban metropolis and you can't swing a tape measure without hitting a modern building. Occasionally we do get the opportunity to stage more traditional homes.
Unless targeting a specific demographic, using … (42 comments)

real estate staging: Home Staging for Vancouver's Smallest Foyer - 07/05/07 12:38 AM
Well it may not be the smallest foyer in the city but it is definitely tiny at only 3 feet wide. Home stagers know that the first impression after stepping through the entryway can make or break a sale. 
Here is what buyers would have seen after opening the front door had the owners not staged the listing. What would you have done with this area?...

 
Pictured below is the Reveal Estate solution. 
 

This condo received 7 offers within 2 days of being staged and now the bidding war is on!
Update: The final selling price was exactly $30,000 above the asking … (28 comments)

real estate staging: The Grizzly Facts about Bare Rooms - 03/17/07 06:14 AM
               The grizzly facts about bare rooms - observations of a wild Home Stager
By Jackson West
As a home stager, I secretly growl with frustration when I encounter vacant homes sitting on the market. Many of these listings lie dormant for extended and unnecessary lengths of time. Top Realtors and leading builders agree that selling an empty home is much more difficult than selling one that is furnished. Due to popular home design shows on television, today’s buyer has higher standards and wants a home that is "move in" ready. This has contributed to the success and popularity of home … (55 comments)