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An empty stage with curtains....

By Nia Knowles

Real Estate Agent with Solid Source Realty

October 03, 2007 08:30 AM

I have my very first open house! YAY me!! Can you imagine my excitement when I was asked to hold an open house for a listing agent to 1) help sell the house and 2) help me obtain leads of potential buyers? How generous!

I was provided with plenty of beautiful fliers to help with advertising and promotion. The fliers are great! Nice quality displaying the homes tasteful decor, and giving off cozy "welcome home" vibes. This is going to be perfect!

Then I view the home. The empty house, with curtains. What a difference furniture makes! The house now feels very cold... abandoned. I'm wondering if I should load up some items from my own house to add or if it would be sufficient to turn on all the lights, light some candles in the bathroom and provide plenty of information with the pictures showing the home furinished.

Any advice? ..because the show must go on!

~Nia

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Marci Toliver

438-4642 - Mauldin, SC

Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging

Nia, we recently did an accessory only package for a homeowner- you could try that! Let us know how it goes!

Oct 03, 2007 11:21 AM

Calie Waterhouse

Chandler, AZ

Community Builder

Nia -I agree with Marci. A few little touches here and there, really make a difference. Paying attention to the bathrooms and the kitchen will help - with minimal costs. Good luck & be sure to post some pictures. - Calie

Oct 03, 2007 12:16 PM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Nia, I agree with Calie. Get some nice towels for the bathroom, some nice fake fruit for the kitchen, maybe a small table and chair to make a little vignette in a corner somewhere. Spent $50, it can make a big difference. Anything but just curtains. AND I'd take them down. Nothing looks worse to me than lonely curtians hanging forelornly in a room. Good Luck!

Oct 03, 2007 01:48 PM

Cheri Dueker

Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO

Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis

Nia: I agree with Terry. SHow off the light and use a few focal points-it will make a huge difference. Good luck

Oct 03, 2007 02:48 PM

Janice Sutton

1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA

Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Nia - Congrat's on your first Open House!! :) I would remove the window treatments if they are dated or overpowering in the vacant rooms. Accessories would be great if you are comfortable adding them. Call a Stager if you can!

Oct 03, 2007 03:19 PM

Cindy Lin

Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA

Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

Congrats and all these ladies have great ideas. It's not a bad way to go at all.

Cheers,

Cindy

Oct 03, 2007 04:12 PM

Betty Haney

Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB

Nia, you must be so excited!! I think all the comments above are right on. Call a stager and see if you can rent some of their inventory for that day. Accessorizing the bathrooms and the kitchen will make a huge difference and shouldn't be that expensive. If there is a fireplace - draw attention to it with some candles and greenery. Best of luck - hope it sells during the Open House. Betty

Oct 03, 2007 04:21 PM

Nia Knowles

Solid Source Realty - Atlanta, GA

THANK YOU ALL!!! :-)

Wow the comments you all left are all amazing! I must get to work and do some accessory hunting... my budget is tight- (this is my first listing!)

Marci- accessories only package? That's an awesome ideal- I had not considered that. I was thinking I NEEDED to add complete room furniture.

Cali- the bathroom and kitchen WILL need help :-( I'll concentrate on these areas! Thanks.

Terry- LOL...if nothing else, those curtains or coming down!!!

Thank you all again, I'll be sure to get up pictures soon! AND I will certainly check out your sites- as you can see, I need all the help I can get lol

Oct 04, 2007 06:50 AM

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Nia Knowles

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