Cookie Cutter House--Staged for a quick sale!

Tonia--Thanks for your compliments!  I have been enjoying your posts and photos as well.  Keep 'em coming.

Lori Kim--It did look much better and evidently the "lookers" liked it as well, even after the camera.

Melody--The fee was a bit of an experiment as well.  I just charged for my consultation and 2 hours of work.  Wasn't a lot, but seemed to fit their needs.  Most of the major pieces were theirs.  Although, the brown ottomans were ours--when removed wasn't a huge deal.  The 2 side tables/covers beside the bed were ours--I'm sure that did make a difference in the overall look.  The bed covering did make the room look so much better, but if they just made it nice and neat, I'm sure that it was acceptable.  I was a little skeptical about doing this, but I knew that the Realtor would be beneficial to my work in the future and thought that I would give it a try.  So far, I haven't received any negatives from the experience and hopefully I've gained a little more trust with this Realtor and her colleagues.  Thanks for your comments!

Kathy & Mel--Good point and I had to address this several months ago as well.  Here is my dilemma-- if a home is lived in and has been staged with the home sellers own belongings, and it is then necessary for them to move out before the house is sold--so all their things are gone and they don't restage--should they then remove the pictures of the home as it was before--in staged condition?  It is still that same house--kind of like the "virtual staging" idea.  Now you see it--now you don't.  Not totally comfortable with the idea either, but have yet to suffer any negatives.  Just trying to stay afloat in this "not-on-board-yet-with-staging" small town society.  I will let you know how this all works out.  Thanks for your comments! 

P.S.  It must have still looked pretty good, since there was an offer within 3 days!

Linda--Thank you!  We were pretty efficient with our plan--in and out in 2 hours--and the changes we made were basics.  I thought it turned out pretty well, for such a small investment.  

Janice--I think that we left enough of the "good stuff" to get a real feel for the space, just removed the extra accessories.  And, yes I would like to be a fly on the wall to hear some of the comments.  Thanks for your comments, too!

Shelley--thanks for your comments.  Sometimes I feel like I just have to step out of the box and do what feels productive and I thought that this would be a good move.  So far, so good.

Kate--I appreciate your comments and I tend to agree that it has worked out to be a win-win situation for us both.  The pictures will help draw potential buyers to the house and then it can sell itself, because it is priced right!

Heather--I recommend you Google Home Staging Resource--that's where I did my training--and think click on your state.  You should see a list of home stagers in your area.  Thanks for the comment!

Deena--You are right about the loading and packing time, but so far I still feel like it is worth it.  I may creep up with my prices as time goes on, just to keep up with inflation! ha  The same Realtor has called me to do this for a 2nd time.  The first one was such a success and will already be closing on it this week.  She is adamant that the "good pics" are what drew so many lookers and made the sale!  Thanks for your comments.

Valerie--Thanks for your comment.  I also struggle with trying to accomodate, and be pleasing, but sometimes you just can't do it.  Right now, this concept seems to be working for both of us!