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Having a Hoot Staging!

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Home Stager with EXIT STAGE RIGHT

Having a Hoot Staging!

We had a "hoot" staging a townhouse recently.  This occupied townhouse needed a bit of art and some accessories to make it shine.  There were three bedrooms, the Master, the Guestroom and the... uh... Owl Room.  Yes, I said "Owl Room"!

Burrowing Owl

Tucked away in the 3rd bedroom was the sweetest little Burrowing Owl I've ever seen... OK, actually, it's the only real life Burrowing Owl I've ever seen.  The closest to this would be the wine label on a local B.C. wine called "Burrowing Owl".  I was very surpised to see how small this little fellow was.  I usually equate owls with being larger in stature, but of course, a Burrowing Owl burrows into smaller holes in trees or nooks and crannies in the woods.  

Normally, we suggest that all lizards, gerbals, fish tanks etc. be removed when selling, as this can be a real turn off to potential home buyers, but Beaker (that's the owl's name), is an elderly owl, 14 years old, and wouldn't take well to being uprooted too much.  The room was very clean, and didn't smell, so we left well enough alone.  

The good news is the townhouse sold quickly for over asking.  Maybe visitors to the home fell in love with the affable Owl.  I know I did, and kept peeking in to say hello, when I should have been hanging artwork!  

Have you come across anything out of the ordinary or extraordinary when staging or selling a house?  Do share!

Show All Comments Sort:
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good afternoon Sally. 

It's great to see you in the Puddle again.  Long time no see.  Debbie and I enjoyed following a family of Burrowing Owls as they nested, hacked and raised their babies.  It was quiet the adventure for us.  Not sure the Owls were too crazy about us being so near.

Jun 02, 2014 07:32 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Hi John,  Nice to be back and splashing around!  That's amazing.  Where were the Owls nesting?  Was it in the Albuquerque woods?!!

Jun 02, 2014 07:35 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Sally, I've never had an owl! I've had parrots, rodents, snakes, lizards, budgies and one very ugly spider!

Jun 02, 2014 10:00 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Ha ha - Oh, Janice, was the spider a Tarantula?!!

Jun 02, 2014 10:28 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Hi Sally ! One of my clients had a turtle. To my surprise turtle was moving pretty fast around the house. I can even say it was running pretty fast. 

Jun 03, 2014 02:30 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Anna - "turtle" and "fast" seem like such an oxymoron!  I have a friend whose daughter has a turtle, and he's quite a sensitive little creature.

Jun 03, 2014 03:33 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Owls are fascinating creatures.   We have lots of them in the woods around our house.  It is fun to hear them calling out to each other in the dark of the night!

Aug 06, 2014 07:54 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Frederick - I agree!  This little guy had such a huge personality.  Amazing creatures indeed.

Aug 06, 2014 12:34 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Sally Weatherley     ...Nice to hear your stagging helped again make a prompt sale. Well Done

Cheers

Oct 20, 2014 02:15 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Thanks, Fred!  Hope all is well in beautiful, Victoria, B.C.!  

 

Oct 20, 2014 03:41 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Sally, Love your take on the owl. Look forward to more of your writing.

Sep 29, 2015 01:57 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Hope to spend a little more time on Active Rain, Margaret!  

Sep 29, 2015 03:49 PM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

awww! What a cutie Sally! (& so is the owl) lol

I think I would have left it in there too, as you said if there was no downside (smell etc) what's the harm?

Also, since it sold so quick & for over asking, maybe it was a lucky charm too!

Feb 08, 2016 07:21 AM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

Such a great story Sally!  Yes we recently had a 4 foot tall gorilla in the living room beside the fireplace. Definitely made for a conversation starter. It wasn't real like your owl but it definitely stayed in the room (it was a very large room in a luxury home and the home owner had it shipped over from a visit to Thailand).  

Mar 04, 2018 08:05 AM
Tom Ikonomou
Tom Ikonomou - eXp Realty - Vancouver, BC
REALTOR | Digital Marketer | Dad 4x | e-PRO

Hey Sally,

Thanks so much for following my blog. Your comments are always welcome.

Have an outstanding month. 

Aug 05, 2019 12:04 PM