I Was Asked to "Polish a Turd". Well, It's Something New to Add to My Resume!

By
Home Stager with Rooms With Style

Excuse my language but one of the first things the investor said when he called me was, "I am trying to polish a turd".

Well, okay. I can't say I had ever done that before but I was up for the challenge! 

Home Staging was new to this investor but he felt he needed some help on this vacant investment property in Minneapolis, MN. He was thrilled with the home staging results but even more thrilled when he received an offer a week later.

This home was in the process of being condemned by petitions from the neighbors. Yes, it was that bad. Weeds half way up the outside walls, total destruction inside. I can see why the neighbors wanted it torn down.

But this investor had the gumption to take it on and save the home. When I saw it he had already done an incredible amount of work. Take a look:

 

 

 

Well, it didn't look like a turd anymore. But the question was......could I polish it?

 

LIVING ROOM AFTER POLISHING

 

 

DINING ROOM AFTER POLISHING

 

 

MASTER BEDROOM AFTER POLISHING

 

 

MASTER BEDROOM SITTING ROOM AFTER POLISHING

 

I think the proof is the 'offer in a week' don't you? Oh, and how do you think the neighbors feel??

Ecstatic!!

 

You may not have a property on the verge of being condemned but Home Staging can make the difference in ALL properties.

POLISHING WORKS AT LEVELS!

Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign has the experience to work on all types and price levels of homes. Serving the entire Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN metro areas.

www.roomswithstyle.com

952-567-1124

Originally posted at: Rooms With Style Blog. 

Comments (37)

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Shar, you have just proved how home staging can help any more. Fantastic job! I saw this post on Google+

Oct 15, 2011 06:49 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

Thanks Rebecca, it can help anyone! Glad you saw it on Google +!!

Oct 15, 2011 09:31 AM
Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

Shar:  That was an amazing transformation!  I bet that investor uses you every time!

Oct 15, 2011 10:24 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Your investor client used a term with a twist, kind of like "putting lipstick on a pig."  Well, you shined this one up beautifully!  No one would recognize the "after" transformation!

Oct 15, 2011 06:09 PM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I hope so Jane!

Term with a twist is a good way to put it Maureen! Ha..

 

Oct 16, 2011 03:55 PM
Wendy Hayden
Photographer, Home Stager, ePRO - Richmond, VA
Chesterfield, Richmond & Powahatan

Beautiful job Shar!  Lovely and beautiful pictures to show off your work.  Bet he got a higher offer than he expected too!

Oct 17, 2011 11:41 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I am not sure on that Wendy but he was shocked at the quick sale!

Oct 18, 2011 06:13 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Shar, love looking at the before and after photos --- and the absolute transformation you do to a property!    Congratulations, it obviously worked very well!

Oct 18, 2011 11:57 AM
Maria Tobin
Staged For Success - Huntersville, NC
ASP, IAHSP

Wow, wow, wow Shar.  I bet the neighbors are loving the house now!

Oct 18, 2011 12:40 PM
Janice Ankrett
Janice Ankrett Home Staging - Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Shar you do such amazing work! The investor was lucky to get you and your 'cloth' LOL. I can't believe they salvaged those floors! Just beautiful Shar!

Oct 18, 2011 12:51 PM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

Thank you Joan. It did work! Woo Hoo!

I think they are very happy and very relieved Maria.

Aren't they amazing floors Janice? They were going to carpet them upstairs in the bedrooms because they weren't perfect and I said "NO"!! They are floors from 1900 and not perfect but they were still stunning.

Oct 18, 2011 04:00 PM
Michelle Drewry
Signature Real Estate Group - Henderson, NV
Realtor - Signature Real Estate Group

Shar - It looks stunning!  This investor got one good deal when he hired you - and so did the nieghbors.

Oct 19, 2011 03:42 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

Thank you Michelle. I think they were all happy!

Oct 19, 2011 10:04 AM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

HI Shar, fabulous work! That has got to be one the best testimonials I have read here on AR. You are a turd magician!!  From a turd to a pile of gold. Everyone will want to hire you now.

Oct 20, 2011 03:02 AM
Margo Otey
REMAX EXECUTIVE REALTY - Westborough, MA

I'm one of the investor-realtors out there doing fix/flips (polishing turds?) on the side.  You inspire me to keep hauling the furniture out of my own house and into my flips because WOW does staging make a huge difference!  Just did exactly that to my latest project and sold it last weekend to the first person in the door!

Oct 20, 2011 06:29 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

A Turd Magician! I have a new title!! Thanks Michelle. :)

Staging DOES make a huge difference Margo. Proof is in the results!

Oct 20, 2011 11:20 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I will keep brushing up on my polishing skills Richard!

Oct 21, 2011 10:27 AM
Marianne Cherico
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Shar-That is so funny! But your transformations are truly gorgeous!

Marianne!!

 

Oct 22, 2011 09:18 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

Thanks Marianne.....it is funny!

Oct 23, 2011 04:23 AM
Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Shar - wow amazing work you did love your choices of furniture, fabrics and accessories.

 

Nov 15, 2011 12:46 AM

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