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A day in the life of a Chicago stager!

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Home Stager with Chicagoland Home Staging LLC

Chicagoland's busiest Staging Company, Re-Arrange It Interiors, successfully transforms another Naperville, IL condo. Watch the team make it happen!

We've already spent days working on this project. After meeting with the client and seeing the property, a plan had to be formed, inventory checked, a quote prepared, paperwork completed.  Which brings us to the best part STAGE DATE! We have finally selected, gathered, AND loaded the pieces that will make the magic happen...pew I'm already exhausted... The Re-Arrange It team arrives bright and early and we start the very unglamorous job of unloading of the truck. For anyone considering getting into the business this part never gets easier.

That's Sue my assistant stager and Al "one of our movers".  This is a smaller job and he's handling the heavier stuff and assemble.

They don't know I'm taking pictures yet...

AHH I clean slate...

That's Kathy in the corner..She's the newest member of our Re-Arrange It team. I asked her to pretend to do something with that tree while I take her picture. (he-he) She's wondering whats going on but accommodates me anyway. (She still new enough she'll do what I ask without complaint =)

Okay..now she knows I'm taking her picture but she ignoring me.. probably wondering why I'm taking the pictures and she's doing all the work..=)) Did I mention She's my mother?   

The chaos before the calm. This one of the reasons it's best to have only Stagers on sight during set up. There is a point where you step back and go OMG will it ever come together??

 

 

Okay I'm starting to see the vision again...

 

Where'd everyone go..Here they are.

We spent way too much time in here setting up the bed. Put creative minds together and sometimes we don't agree.

Creative minds are great but come stage date muscle is what you really need. Al has carried in the heavy desk and is assembling it..

The girls are taking a break and watching..

 

Okay I think she's getting mad.. she's saying something about stop taking pictures and get to work!! ;)

OK OK .. THE FINISHED PRODUCT! (about 5 hours on-site today)

 

 

 

This Naperville condo was on the market for 3 YEARS with another agent and not one offer. The seller agreed to meet with me out of frustration of not knowing what else to do to get it sold. I recommended they paint the kitchen to soften the harshness of the white walls and dark cabinet color, replace 2 light fixtures, and STAGE.

THE RESULT: 2 full price offers offers within days of staging. Agent calls kept coming in asking if the property showed as good in person as it did on-line because they had a buyer interested in seeing it. (proof that pictures talk to buyers!!) The condo closed within 39 days of staging. The first Realtor also saw the photos and call me amazed. I am currently working on a new project for her.

Re-Arrange It Interiors proudly serves Chicagoland home owners, real estate agents, investors, property managers and companies.

Call Margaret Gehr of Re-Arrange It Interiors at 815-530-3566 for more information.

 

Posted by

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Margaret Gehr is the principle owner of Chicagoland Home Staging, servicing the greater Chicago area for home staging, redesign, and design projects. We work in both occupied and vacant homes. 

 

Comments(13)

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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"

Margaret ~ a stellar staging job! I love how it all came out ... the scenes looked very familiar to me.  That desk and zebra chair are so cool!

Oct 29, 2009 06:05 PM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

Maureen, I'm sure the scenes look familiar to many here...We now have 3 of those desks and and lots of zebra.. definitely adds a splash of fun. 

Michele, They are great and put up with me... Lots of clients like to stay and watch but as I'm sure you know it takes so much longer. There's always too much talking. As to the big reveal, I long since make no assumption the client will like it. I just do my thing.  As always thanks for your comments.

Oct 30, 2009 02:10 AM
Diana Young
Staging Seattle, King & Snohomish Counties - Edmonds, WA

What a fabulous story in pictures, Margaret!  I'm sure the seller is thrilled with the results of the staging - a sale after a very long time on the market.  Keep up the great work!

Oct 30, 2009 07:30 AM
Andrew Mayon
Triad Real Estate Photography - Greensboro, NC

Now THIS is a well done project, great staging and superior photography further enhancing your work.  BRAVO I say, Bravo!

Triad Real Estate Photography | Greensboro NC

Oct 30, 2009 11:03 AM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

Hi Diana, Thanks. Yes the homeowner was thrilled. They really attribute the sale to the staging because the property was presented at the same price. They've been a great source of referrals which is a good thing.

Hi Andrew, I am a believer in good photography. You said it right that good photography "enhances" our work.  I have enjoyed looking at your photos for some time.  Thanks for your comments.

Oct 30, 2009 01:40 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Loved the journey-what a great story and day. Your staging is wonderful. I always enjoy your stunning work.

Congrats on your success!!

Oct 30, 2009 03:49 PM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Congratulations!  The house look fabulous!  Did you use a professional photographer? 

Oct 30, 2009 04:57 PM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

Makes me want to do my staged and sold dance.   Great job in not only the sale but now having two agents that want to work with you.

Oct 31, 2009 08:46 AM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

Hi Cathy, Thank you very much. Your peers are your toughest critics. I always enjoy seeing you posts as well.

Linda, Thank you, Yes I have a photographer shoot most of our properties. As much as I try I just can't even get close to the same quality

Virginia, funny I have one of those too. Its great when that happens!!

Oct 31, 2009 11:28 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Aww yes, looks familiar!  Great teamwork, makes a big difference, when you have help, and it looks like you had a great time doing it!  It doesn't get much better than this!

Oct 31, 2009 05:56 PM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

hi Cindy, Yes..though some are more fun then others..We've done too many to count with just 2 of us and are doing all the hauling. Now when we do so many back to back that it just makes sense to have more muscle.

Nov 02, 2009 05:34 AM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Margaret - I love how each of the rooms turned out.  You did a wonderful job.

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

Kathy

Nov 02, 2009 05:52 AM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

Thanks kathy and thanks for the feature

Nov 02, 2009 02:49 PM