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Even In A "Slow" Market, Staging and A Few Changes Get Offer on Day One! (Before & Afters)

By
Home Stager with GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign

In the slow sales market that we are experiencing now, it is more important than ever that a home be fresh, updated and in great condition. This home had been remodeled a while back, then turned into a rental. Needless to say, it had a few issues that needed to be addressed. Starting at the curb, we developed an action plan for our very handy home sellers. They were up for the challenges that we gave them and tirelessly worked to take care of the items on the list. One of the biggest challenges was curb appeal - this was a 70's ranch that was sadly lacking in appeal.

 

New plantings, mulch, neatly mowed and trimmed lawn topped off with crisp white shutters and a picket fence did the trick!

 

                        

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                       Inside, the challenge was to bring this vacant home to life by using furniture and accessories purchased off of Craigslist by the seller. Some quick re-upholstery projects helped even the tired furniture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We finished the staging at noon on Monday and by Monday evening the first offer was in. By the end of the week, the house was in escrow at only $5,000 below asking price. A well-staged home in bright and shiny condition will rise to the top of the competition and sell quickly - even in a slow market!

GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign will help you prepare your home or property so that it will sell quickly and for maximum profit. Call Kathy Alexander at 360-314-8561 to discuss our many services.

 

Ronelle Schroeder-Hill
Vacaville, CA

Wow, that's great news, hope the offer goes through! Nice stats to have for your marketing. Just curious why the seller choose to purchase the furniture for the staging?

May 18, 2008 07:00 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Beautiful job, and forgive me, now you have another resource for shopping for those staging items...when they are done, they can sell them too on StagersLIST.com.

May 18, 2008 07:30 PM
Chip Jefferson
Advanced Building LLC - Lexington, SC

You have to dress up to go to the dance? Great job it looks like a 360.

May 18, 2008 11:13 PM
Shobha Vyavahare
stagewithme, Greenville, South Carolina - Greenville, SC

so there is hope for the sellers after all, great job, keep it up.

Shobha

May 19, 2008 12:22 AM
Kathy Alexander
GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA
Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

Ronelle - I wish they hadn't used Craigslist as their source, but they were afraid of the monthly furniture rental costs since they thought the property might be on the market for a long time. It really made staging a challenge since it was such a mix of styles. (Hmm, I think there may be another blog coming about that experience!)

May 19, 2008 01:52 AM
Barbara Cluck-Miksits
BCM Home Staging LLC - Ridgewood, NJ
Home Staging - New Jersey

Kathy- You did a very nice staging job on this home. Congratulations to you.

May 19, 2008 02:32 AM
Kathy Alexander
GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA
Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

Terrylynn - Thanks for the kind words. We were able to put everything back on Craigslist and sell it right from the house. StagersLIST.com would have been our next place to turn to.

Chip - Yes, I am afraid that the old days of just throwing it on the market as-is are long gone! Thanks for commenting.

Shobha - If a home is priced right and prepared for the market, buyers will take notice!

Barbara - Thanks. It wasn't a home with lots of bells and whistles that would get the decorating juices flowing, but I always enjoy a challenge and trying to figure out how to maximize what we have to work with.

May 19, 2008 02:53 AM
Amy Prouty
Home Staging - Keno, YN

Hi Kathy!  Great job! Congrats on the quick sale, it wouldn't have happened without you! 

May 19, 2008 03:27 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kathy ~ Those sellers were so lucky to have YOU and your expertise!  The exterior changes and the staging brought that offer in so quickly.  Wonderful job!

May 19, 2008 03:35 AM
Ronelle Schroeder-Hill
Vacaville, CA

Hi Kathy, Sorry wasn't being critical, it came together very nicely. I was just curious about that choice, and it makes sense. I love craigslist, bought a whole new set of appliances for half the retail price when we remodeled our kitchen. Congrats on a job well done:]

May 19, 2008 04:14 AM
Kathy Alexander
GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA
Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

Amy -Thanks for the kind comments

Maureen - Thanks! I would still love to get my hands on something charming and vintage like you do over in Portland!

Ronelle- I am so sorry that you thought I was sensitive to your comment. Not at all, my friend! I was just trying to explain the reasoning behind the Craigslist stuff and to make sure that nobody mistook it for the type of furniture I would normally use!

May 19, 2008 04:25 AM
Tanya Venable
Orlando, FL
SEO, Mobile SEO, and Internet Marketing Consultant

Congratulations, Kathy!  It looks great. You really brought the fireplace to life.  Let's see more.

May 19, 2008 04:28 AM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Great news and the furniture they purchased off of Craig's List I am sure was worth EVERY DIME. Good job and happy clients, that is what we strive for.

Phyllis Pafumi

May 19, 2008 04:47 AM
Michelle Hall
Century 21 Hecht - Denver, NC

That is so good to hear.  Congratulations on a wonderful staged home.

May 19, 2008 05:00 AM
Kathy Alexander
GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA
Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

Tanya - Thank you. I was worried about that big dark fireplace along with the big dark furniture, but some added pops of color pulled it off. Here is a before picture of the Family Room...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Here is an after of the same room.

May 19, 2008 06:15 AM
Kathy Alexander
GreatStages Home Staging and Redesign - Vancouver, WA
Home Stager Camas WA, Home Staging Southwest WA

Phyllis - Yes, it is all about pleasing our clients isn't it? They were quite proud of their "finds" on Craigslist. The sofa was $50 and the Dining Room set was $25.

Michelle - Thank you. We need to keep showing that staging can be a huge benefit, especially in a challenging market.

May 19, 2008 06:19 AM