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Sellers and Realtors: Staging Education, Part 5, UPDATING

By
Home Stager with Certified Staging Professional

Sellers and Realtors: Staging Education, Part Five,  UpdatingDream Interior Decorating & Home Staging Oakhurst CA

Part of my role as a professional home stager is to educate Home Sellers and Real Estate Agents about the realities of Home Staging.  Watching home staging programs on TV frequently misleads viewers and does not  impart the details of how a professional stager works and how the staging process plays out.

In the Fresno, Clovis and Madera foothill and mountain communities the housing market remains a very strong Buyers market.  I have heard many stories of buyers getting homes for 40-50% of the value that was established for them 2-3 years ago.  Many sellers are underwater with their loans and need a way out.  Home staging can help with these issues. 

Professional home staging is frequently misunderstood by many real estate agents and homeowners.  Sellers and agents are often fearful of the stager and the process.  They often think that it is primarily about decluttering, removing family photos and then adding beautiful items from a stager's inventory or having to buy new furniture themselves. 

While those aspects can be important they are NOT the sum total of what a professional home stager can do for you and your home.  We do NOT come into a home to demean or berate how the seller lives.  A professional stager's goal is to help sell the property and to make the process as easy on the seller's as possible. 

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This is Part Five of a Seven (7) part series about the ins and outs of real-life professional home staging.  You can read Parts One,Two, Three and Four here:

Sellers and Realtors: Staging Education, an Overview, Part One

Sellers and Realtors: Staging Education, Repairs, Part Two                 

Sellers and Realtors: Staging Education, Decluttering, Part Three

Sellers and Realtors: Staging Education, Neutralizing / Depersonalizing, Part Four

UPDATING

Today's buyers want a home that is move-in ready.  Most of them are not looking for fixer-uppers.  People lead very busy lives and they cannot see themselves spending their time and money on making a house into their home.  To attract those buyers your HOUSE FOR SALE may need updating. 

As professional stagers we can work with almost any home, updated or not, but if you are interested in a quick sale, if you don't want your house to linger on the market, then updating is important.

What should be updated?  Here are the two most budget-friendly categories to consider first: 1) cabinet hardware and 2) light fixtures. Dream Home Decorating and Real Estate Home Staging Oakhurst CADream Home Staging and Interior Decorating Oakhurst CA

Cabinet hardware is part of the jewelry in the kitchen and in baths.  They can leave a positive impression or they can turn buyer's off.  If they are brass, antique brass or a style from the past then buyers may turn away from your listing over these simple to replace items.  If you cannot afford to replace the knobs and pulls, then consider spray painting them.  This is NOT the best solution but it will help.

Light fixtures, old versus updated, can have a big impact on how potential buyers see a hDream Interior Decorating and Home Staging Oakhurst CAouse.  As with cabinet hardware, brass, antique brass and old style fixtures DO NOT help sell houses.  If the contractor, that built your house, was looking for a way to cut costs, they probably purchased contractor packs of low-end light fixtures.  These fixtures from the 50's, 60's and 70's are still available today at most of the big-box home improvement stores.  All of these scream....low end and should be replaced.  

The photo collage to is just a sampling of fixtures that should be changed: 1)brass fixtures, 2)Enclosed light boxes and hollywood strip lights {hung horizontally or vertically}, 3)flourescent shop lights,          4)Tiffany style fixtures.

What finishes are popular today?  The style of your home should help you determine what would work best.  It is preferable that finishes throughout the house match.  Avoid all brass fixtures.  Look for chrome, satin nickel, brushed chrome, rubbed oil bronze and sometimes black. 

Other items that may need updating include: countertops, cabinet finishes, flooring, door hardware, shower/tub surrounds and glass enclosures, window treatments, fireplace surrounds and screens, paint colors, wall finishes, plumbing fixtures and there's more.      

If you are puzzled by this process and don't know where to start, seek the advice of a professional home stager.  We specialize in knowing what is most appealing in local markets and what target buyers want. We also know what improvements will give you the biggest bang for you buck.  A simple staging consultation can help you achieve a SALE so that you can move forward. 

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Dream Interior Decorating and Home Staging, Fresno CA

 Dream Interior Redesign & Staging, by Ginger Foust is a full service, licensed and insured,      Professional Staging and Interior ReDesign/Decorating company.

Locally serving the California foothill and mountain communities of Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Ahwahnee, Bass Lake, Wawona and Mariposa.  Also serving areas of, Fresno, Clovis and Madera, California.

Providing Virtual and Conceptual Staging Worldwide.

Click here to see short slideshows with examples of our work.   When the first show is over, click on   OTHER SHOWS to see more.   

 Visit our website at http://www.dreamredesigns.com for more information or call 559-877-2442.

 

Comments (24)

C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hi Ginger, Lighting can make such a difference in a home! I had one client say to me "But I still like that light" It was from the 60's and not in good way! So I began to explain she could take it with her while updating to a newer fresh inexpensive look...sigh....

By the way love the new website! Very easy to navigate and I really like the about you page!

Jun 14, 2010 08:48 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

My pleasure.  I knew I'd become a Ginger "fan" after checking out your website a few months ago.  You've got what it takes.

Jun 14, 2010 11:24 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Thanks Roberta,  we just have to keep telling them, don't we. I appreciate you commenting. 

Hey there Cyndee, thanks so much for the comments on the new website.   I hear what you're saying about clients not wanting to let go.  How goes the sale and move? 

I appreciate that Roger.  By the way the website is ALL new this past week, so check it out and give me your thoughts. 

Jun 14, 2010 12:31 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Great series Ginger. You are so right about Updating a home to sell.

Jun 14, 2010 12:42 PM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Thank you Janice.  Two to go but the educating never stops. 

Jun 14, 2010 12:47 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Well done Ginger..............looks fabulous.  Some wonderful testimonials on your work too!  Nice!

Jun 14, 2010 12:59 PM
Michelle Yackel
Divine Redesigns - Atlanta, GA
ASP, IAHSP

Great post, Ginger! I found several light fixtures on clearance at Lowes for one of my clients last week - $14.50 and $34.00 for very pretty bronze fixtures to replace the dated 70's brass ones.  Fantastic difference for less than $100!

Jun 14, 2010 01:10 PM
Marianne Cherico
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Ginger,

Today's Buyer really does want "move in ready". Updating does help the house seem fresher and more cared for!

I checked out your web site and it looks great!

Marianne

Jun 14, 2010 04:52 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Ginger, it has been great news the home is under contract already, will email you w/ the details!

Jun 15, 2010 01:54 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Hi Roger, wish I could say that I'd done it.  I made the attempt but had to turn it over to a pro. to get it done.  Thank you. 

Michelle, I'm on the hunt for some bargains like that this week.  Wish that shopping was closer!  Thank for commenting. 

Marianne, don't you just love it when you hear a seller say...."it's just fine the way it is.  Afterall I've lived with it this way for XX years.  If THEY don't like it THEY can change it."  AHHHHH!!  Thanks for commenting and for the kudos on the website. 

Cyndee...GREAT news and another staging success story!

Jun 15, 2010 03:33 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Replacing light fixtures is one of my favorite transformations to make.  It can make a huge impact for such little money.  I love finding those great priced mark downs at Lowes and Home Depot.

Jun 15, 2010 04:11 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Sharon, me too!  Once I found six bargain bath lights and bought them all...now wishing I had more.  Let the hunt begin...just wish it wasn't so blessed hot out.  Thanks for commenting. 

Jun 15, 2010 04:20 AM
Marianne Cherico
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Ginger,

I know what you mean, Ginger.

When a Seller says that THEY like it and if the Buyer wants to change it they can ,I gently (but firmly) remind them that that might work in a SELLER'S market but in a BUYERS market the otus is on the Seller to give the BUYERS what they want. Otherwise Buyers start talking themselves out of the house and they say"next.....". In my 22 yr Real Estate career I have never seen pickier Buyers than now!

Marianne

Jun 15, 2010 11:01 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Honestly Marianne, I think that the need to have everything "just right for move in" and all of this fussiness (?) is WAY over the top. BUT that is the way it is and we have to accept it.  When I see buyers being fussy on the HGTV shows you can help me saying..."come on now" but I'm old fashioned and can see past some of the issues that get in their way.  Thanks for coming back with more comments!

Jun 15, 2010 12:04 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Ginger -- another great post in your series.  It seems that almost any house from pre-2000 needs new hardware and light fixtures.  It's practically a standard requirement isn't it?  Here the most popular ones continue to be brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze.  They look so much better than brass or antique brass!

Jun 15, 2010 06:09 PM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Thank you Maureen.  I'm on the hunt for three new very budget friendly bathroom light fixtures and one dining room chandelier.  Lowes and Home Depot, don't fail me now.  Currently this house has brass hollywood strips light...they are my nemesis and they gotta GO! 

Hey did you notice the new icon under our photos.....guess that I'd better show up now. 

Jun 16, 2010 10:19 AM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

Love the lighting collage, we have ALL seen ALL of those builder specials! Love your shade solution, I have been waiting for a house that I could recommend that solution as I think it is SO smart! Great post!

Jun 19, 2010 09:10 PM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Thanks Cheryl.  I had purchased dozens of those little shades at 25 cents each some years ago and I was happy to finally have a place to put them.

Jun 20, 2010 06:12 AM
Julie Davis, Amy Blank - Rediscovered Interiors, LLC
Rediscovered Interiors, LLC - Andover, MN

We have had a few clients that the house is a 1970 replica, and they don't understand they have to update the light fixtures at minimum.  "...but they still work great, and I paid good money for those."  Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!  I always want to say, "And what properties are you out looking for, are you specifically asking your Realtor to find you a 1970 dated home, no updates....or are you excited that your moving into something brand new???  Think about it, your buyers are doing the same thing!"

Educate, Educate, Educate.  Thanks for sharing!

Julie

Jul 15, 2010 08:56 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Julie, I wish that this issue only came with a FEW of my clients.  Updating is so rare here and you are very rightl....ugh!  Thanks. 

Jul 15, 2010 10:27 AM