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Staging, It's not just for the interior!

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Home Stager with Classic Designs Home Staging

When we think of staging, we naturally think first of the kitchen, living room or master bedroom.  But so many people don't give a second thought to the exterior of the home.  As a prospective buyer, if my first impression of the house is tired and out dated when I drive by, I certainly don't want to waste my time checking out the interior.  

That's exactly what the thought was on this 1970's two story.  So, with a little elbow grease, we removed the old landscaping, added a porch rail and probably the most dramatic change was we stained each individual white brick to a traditional red.  Yes...I did say we stained EACH BRICK, one by one with 2 inch foam brushes and masonry stain. 

I really don't like the look of painted brick on a home, looks to commercial to me, so the stain was really the only option.  It really didn't take that long and I wanted to keep the color of the morter as it was (gray).  With some new shutters and the second story painted gray to match the morter we were finished. 

It was really quite the topic of converstation in the subdivision, people would stop as they drove by to comment on the transformation of the exterior of the entire home.

What do you think?

 

Before

 

After

 

Comments(12)

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Ryan Pringle
Realtor, GRI, Keller Williams - Woodland Hills, CA

Had to look twice to make sure it was the same house! Great job. I am printing a copy to show clients the difference that can be made with just a little bit of money and hard work. Again, well done

Oct 14, 2010 11:15 AM
Bonnie Allen
Classic Designs Home Staging - Knoxville, TN

Thanks Ryan, actually the cost for the stain project was ridiculous...it was about 300.00 for the stain and the cost for several 2" foam brushes!

Oct 14, 2010 11:48 AM
Tori Toth
Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY
888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR

that sounds very tedious but was a huge transformation.

Oct 14, 2010 03:23 PM
Tori Toth
Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY
888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR

that sounds very tedious but was a huge transformation.

Oct 14, 2010 03:23 PM
Tori Toth
Tori Toth, International - Howard Beach, NY
888.667.6643 NYC & Beyond, HSR, SAR, RESA, LIBOR

that sounds very tedious but was a huge transformation.

Oct 14, 2010 03:23 PM
Kathy Burke
Sensational Home Staging~~Danville, CA - Danville, CA
S.F. East Bay Home Staging

Looks like a different house....in a very good way!  I agree that staging starts outside!

Oct 15, 2010 03:42 AM
Bonnie Allen
Classic Designs Home Staging - Knoxville, TN

Tori, depending on the time of day and where the sun was, it was tedious, but I could still do about 1000 bricks per hour, so it really went faster than you might think. 

Kathy, thanks, we have had very positive feedback on the project. 

Oct 17, 2010 09:42 AM
Cindy Garruba
North Fork Home Staged to Sell - Riverhead, NY

Bonnie - the changes made are great, the house looks so much better.  I agree that staging outside is so important, buyers won't even come inside if they don't like the outside!

Oct 18, 2010 05:55 PM
Bonnie Allen
Classic Designs Home Staging - Knoxville, TN

Thanks Cindy, it really was sort of fun to see the transformation and be part of the excitement when people drove by, stopped and couldn't believe that we were actually staining one brick at a time!

Oct 19, 2010 12:58 AM
Bonnie Allen
Classic Designs Home Staging - Knoxville, TN

Thanks Valerie, that's so true, neighbors do keep track of what's going on with the home improvement projects in their area.  One man stopped to talk while I was working and thought I was changing from the red brick to the white...I guess he didn't notice the color of the stain on my brush.

I didn't drop off brochures but what a great idea, I think I'll get to work on that!

Oct 23, 2010 01:46 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Great transformation Bonnie -- and I hope this work brings you more visibility in the neighborhood.  Staging has to start outside or buyers won't be interested in seeing what's behind the front door.  Your post is a great reminder!

Oct 28, 2010 06:42 AM
anna topolinsky
Images staged with flair - Saint Catharines, ON

buyers will not want to keep coming into the home if the front of the home turns them off...they will keep driving

Nov 04, 2010 05:34 PM