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I thought I saw it all...

By
Home Stager with Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc.

As staging consultants I am sure you got to see lots of weird things. I did. And met fantastic people too.

Last week I did a staging consultation to a beautiful  townthouse in Markham, which is a suburb of  Toronto. While I just found the usual on the main and second floor, the basement was another story: an oversized glass cage with 2 CROCODILES. Although the glass  structure was something that a ZOO can take some inspiration from, I don't think the crocodiles can help in any way with the selling of the house.

In fact the property was on the market for quite a bit, with no much interest, this is why I was brought in.

After some negotiations, the owner agreed to remove the cage and put the crocodiles in a pet hotel while the house is on the market.

I am just curious: what are some of the extravagant things you found over the years in your clients' properties?

Posted by

Monica Stanciu is the Founder and Principal Decorator at Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc.

Monica's work as a Master of Real Estate Staging Consultant  was recognized by the staging industry and received 2 years in a row the most prestigious staging industry award: "2013 & 2012 RESA Professional Stager of the Year- Canada". One of Monica's staging project made the "2013 RESA Top 10 Occupied Staging North America". Monica is also the 2011-2012 CSPI Mentor of the Year.

We, at Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc., help home sellers and real estate professionals to sell their properties faster and for more money. We have a showroom filled with high end staging accessories, furniture and art, that allow us to stage vacant properties, flips or occupied on a very tight deadline.

We are known in our industry for fairness, professionalism and for getting the job done, no matter what the circumstances.

If you need help with selling or decorating your property, call us today:

416-912-6734

www.staged2sell.ca

We don't just transform spaces, we transform lives....

 

Comments(16)

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Kristen Wheatley
Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group - Brunswick, ME
Supporting Success - Best Job in the World!

Wow Monica, I think that tops the list!  I'll be curious what others come up with.

Aug 05, 2010 12:02 PM
Paige Walker
Paige Walker - Pineville, LA
Real Estate Guru - Alexandria Pineville LA

Snakes in a small aquarium, dogs, ferrets...I think you win that one!

Aug 05, 2010 12:08 PM
Robin Dampier REALTORĀ®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Can't top it! Snakes in cages were the most challenging to get moved that I have run into.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Aug 05, 2010 12:13 PM
Dee Bundy
Fort Collins Realtor @ C3 Real Estate Solutions - Fort Collins, CO
Helping You Make Colorado "Home"

WOWsers, you definitely win on the 'weirdness scale'.  I'm amazed that they didn't realize from the start that this would not be a prime selling feature of their home.  I wish them luck now that they've toned down the shock value!

Aug 05, 2010 12:22 PM
Janet Sebile
Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors - Rowlett, TX

One woman had 60 plus snakes in her house but I did not see them all.  "you win"!

Aug 05, 2010 12:36 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I would suspect that the crocodiles are illegal to own.  They would be here.  A large iganua is the best I can compete with and it isn't any competion to crocodiles or snakes.

Aug 05, 2010 12:56 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Monica, what the heck?  You're in Ontario, not Florida!  I almost had to deal with a fish tank on a kitchen counter, but nothing close to what you faced!  Life just gets weirder and weirder.

Aug 05, 2010 04:13 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Crocs is a bit much, snakes and birds in cages for me.  There are alligators in our waterways though, haven't come across any...yet!

Aug 05, 2010 05:08 PM
Cheryl Cudmore
Sapphire Staging - Brantford, ON
CSP, Brantford to Burlington ON

Oh,my! I found it very disturbing that it would be legal to own crocodiles here in Ontario but apparently it might be, depending on the municipal bylaws in your area. I'm glad you were able to get them into a pet hotel for now. The most extravagant I've come across so far is tarantula's, iguana and large birds and that's enough for me!

Aug 06, 2010 04:48 AM
Monica Stanciu
Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc. - Markham, ON
Staged 2 Sell Solutions, Markham, ON

Thank you for your stories, it seems that the crocodiles are on the top 10:)

I would think that the crocodiles are illegal in Ontario too, but I have to check the by-laws, so if I'll ever be in this situation I will have a stronger argument, besides: You are moving anyway, why not start properly packing now... kind of thing.

 

Aug 06, 2010 01:00 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Monica you win hands down! I've had parrots, cats, dogs, gerbils and fish tanks.

Aug 06, 2010 01:18 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

You win-snakes gross me out, but this is a first for me!!

Aug 06, 2010 02:30 PM
Connie Tebyani
Platinum Home Staging, Inc. : RESA-Pro - Calabasas, CA
Platinum Home Staging, Los Angeles and Ventura County

Well I think you beat us all: but the most unusual thing I would have to say was a giant (real) stuffed albino lion

Aug 06, 2010 05:38 PM
Judy Colburn
ProStaged Homes - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Glendora, San Dimas Covina, Home Staging

Nope - you win. But in all honesty - those crocs would have freaked me right out of the house - never to return!

Aug 07, 2010 06:53 AM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

you win

Nothing like that

Nov 01, 2010 02:07 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Wow that must have been really scary to see!  The worst animals are dead ones ... mounted on the walls with their eyes and horns and Ugh ... I can't describe how awful they were!!

Nov 01, 2010 04:19 PM