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Dressed to Sell - a "Before" and "After" Illustration of Simple Home Staging Ideas

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Home Solution Real Estate Services SC 64867

 

Yes, we can all agree that staging a home will typically get the home sold quicker, but most of us don’t have the budget to hire a professional home stager. I recently encountered a unique situation with a new listing, that challenged me to hone my own staging skills. The homeowner kept her home exceptionally neat and clean. The home was beautiful, neutral colors – and everything in the home was neutral as well. In fact, after viewing the home and photographing it, I realized the home was TOO neutral! (What a great problem to have, rather than the reverse!)

 

I talked with the homeowner about staging the home. She agreed to allow me to stage the home, within certain limits. My personal budget was $50, and I stayed within that amount. I purchased table settings, dish towels, sofa cushions, plants – well, a picture’s worth a thousand words.

 

Enjoy the DRESSED to SELL  video, let me know what you think!

 

Beckton Street

Posted by

we do more than just put a roof over your head!

 
Wondering what you'd NET on the sale of your home, or looking for a Realtor® who can help you get your home SOLD?  Tired of throwing away your money on rent, and want to consider all your options? Contact me for a free professional consultation to discuss your choices, and let's get started.

 

Teresa B Cooper, CPA Emeritus, Realtor® of Distinction
1-888-485-4356
teresabcooper@gmail.com

 

Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Teresa, what a simple solution to DRESS the home!

It gets tough when there is NO furniture - at least from cost point of view.

Oct 07, 2010 02:31 AM
Dawn & Charlie Tetro
PalmerHouse Properties & Associates - Johns Creek, GA
Real Service Real Results

You did a beautiful job and I love how you put together the video!  Staging often makes the difference between selling or not!!

Oct 07, 2010 02:36 AM
Vicki Pedersen
Pedersen Real Estate - Riverside, CA
Providing Exceptional Real Estate Service

You made some very nice and yet simple changes to this listing.  Great job!

Oct 14, 2010 05:39 PM
Mary Jo Quay
H360homes.com - Minneapolis, MN
I Move You Home

If you did all that for $50, you have to pack your bags and help out everyone across the country.  Maybe you could create a miracle with $100.

Oct 20, 2010 05:07 PM
Teresa Cooper
Home Solution Real Estate Services - North Charleston, SC
SC Lowcountry - Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley

Four words, Mary Jo.

 

"Big Lots - discount aisle"

 

Oct 20, 2010 05:16 PM
Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

That's a bargain for under $50!!!

Oct 20, 2010 05:19 PM
Maureen Fukumoto
Help-U-Sell Realty Pro - Mililani, HI
Maureen

Nice job. That's a well spent $50. Your client should be grateful.

Oct 20, 2010 05:24 PM
Doretha Caldwell
Ellis Property Investments - Fayetteville, NC

Great post Teresa.  These small details make a difference and yes it can be done without breaking the bank.

Oct 20, 2010 06:12 PM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

Your video is very well done and you certainly dressed this home nicely for $50-impressive indeed!!

Oct 20, 2010 06:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Teresa- you did a great job and showed that you don't have to spend a fortune to give a home that extra "wow" factor. 

Oct 20, 2010 11:46 PM
Karen Hubert
Center Stage Design-Home Staging - Brantford, ON
CSP, Brantford, ON

Nice job Teresa.  But I would love to know specifically how you did it all for 50.00.  Here in Canada all that you listed could never come in at 50.  No wonder Canadians are always crossing the border to shop.  Way to go.  I like your video.

Oct 21, 2010 02:58 AM
Teresa Cooper
Home Solution Real Estate Services - North Charleston, SC
SC Lowcountry - Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley

Seriously, discount aisles in large discount stores.  This was all Big Lots purchases.  Here's the list, rounded to nearest dollar:

$18 - dishes - setting for 4

$5 - place mats

$3 - napkin rings (used dinner napkins I already had)

$18 - 4 pillows for sofa

$3 - kitchen dish towels

$3 - centerpiece planter

 

That's it folks!

Oct 21, 2010 03:57 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Love Big Lots!  Julie

Oct 21, 2010 04:40 AM
Teresa Cooper
Home Solution Real Estate Services - North Charleston, SC
SC Lowcountry - Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley

Glad to know that's what "the pros" use, too, Julie!  Thanks!

Oct 21, 2010 04:55 AM
Isabel Gomes
Gomes Design - London, ON
Interior Decorator, Stager - London, Ont

It sometimes is just those few extra things, that don't cost much that make a difference.

 

 

Oct 21, 2010 08:15 AM
Mannie Ferguson
The Staging Fashionista - Alexandria, VA
APSD, RESA

Wow all that for $50!  What a deal and it didn't add the right pops of color.  Good job!

Oct 21, 2010 12:40 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

You did a fabulous job....and for only $50...awesome!  Nice job on the video presentation too!

Oct 21, 2010 03:16 PM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

I love your photo, Teresa.  It's like it came out of a Pottery Barn catalogue.  It's amazing how you pulled this off for only $50.  Good for you!

Kathy

Oct 22, 2010 12:19 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Thank you for sharing your staging experience & lovely photo here Teresa.  I'm a firm believer that all Realtors should understand the value of home staging and what it can do for a property.

I would like to add that hiring a home stager doesn't have to be budget breaking and is a common misconception that I hope will be changed once clients are educated.  A home staging consultation is the way to go for the budget conscious especially when the seller hasn't done the updates or has the eye for furniture placement and flow and who the demographic is to market to.  While adding pops of color and decor is nice, many other issues are addressed in these consultations which can often SAVE (and of course make!) a client money and time on market.  One of the best home staging companies in the industry is in your backyard too, First Impresssions Home Staging and Interior Redesign.

Oct 22, 2010 11:06 AM
Beth Lester
Beth Lester Designs - Torrance, CA
Home Staging & Interior Decorating

Lovely. How did you make that video?

Oct 22, 2010 02:59 PM