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Home Staging Consultations - Preparation Is An Investment Of Time

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

Home Staging isn't always fully embraced when suggested to sellers. I've had some uncomfortable home staging consultations with sellers who are only going through the motions because their agent suggested they meet with me.

I'm happy to report that those "eye rolling" sellers are rare and most of the homeowners I've worked with have been more than willing to take my suggestions seriously.

Sellers who are serious...willing to do whatever it takes to make their home shine in the eyes of buyers...those are my favorite!

 

 

 The best results come when sellers prepare in advance...

give themselves plenty of time to make all necessary improvements.

Time spent in preparation is time well spent...

the more time invested prior to listing, the less stress for sellers.

 

 

The above photo shows a dining room that was being used as an office.

 

Without a home staging consult, most sellers would simply neaten up the room. Hopefully they would remove the boxes of stuff on the floor. 

 

Ideally, they would remove the upholstered chairs and replace the desk with a table and chairs to clearly define the space as a dining room.

 

Most sellers wouldn't give a thought to the paint color.

Most sellers wouldn't know that the dated window treatments are distracting, unappealing to buyers and hiding the gorgeous architectural features of the room. 

Most sellers don't understand the relationship between appearance and perceived value.

 

 

This beautiful home's potential would have been missed if it were listed on the market without proper preparation. 

 

 

Does Home Staging Guarantee A House Will Sell Faster?

A Home Stager's Job Requires Telling Sellers What They Need To Hear

Your Budget Should Never Be An Excuse For A Lack Of Preparation

Houses Don't Kill Deals...Sellers Do. Prepare Your Home To SELL

First Impressions Are Emotional, Involuntary and Uncontrollable

 

Comments(31)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD  Thank you! Yes, getting the advice is just the beginning. Following the advice makes all the difference. I've never understood when people ask and then don't follow. 

Kathy Streib There are a couple of other recent occupied staging consults I want to write about...just haven't been that good about taking the time to do so lately. Thanks for the reblog!

 

Mar 02, 2019 12:59 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Sharon:

This is a wonderful example of the value of staging, and preparation by the sellers with advice from you. The photos tell the whole story very convincingly.

Jeff

Mar 03, 2019 08:04 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Oh yes, the uncluttered clean look after a home stager like yourself prepares a seller. I really like the before and after!

Mar 04, 2019 05:20 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Jeff Dowler, CRS  Thank you! I appreciate the comment. Always nice to see your happy face!

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400  Oh the satisfaction....for all concerned. I've had many sellers tell me they wish they had made the changes years sooner! Thank you for stopping by!

Mar 04, 2019 01:24 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

We need you (stagers)! You make coal into diamonds with your expertise Sharon Tara 

 

Mar 05, 2019 05:32 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS  I've been called a lot of things, but this is the first time I've been called a coal miner. Thank you! 

I've had a lot of coal to work with and it's very satisfying making it shine!

Mar 05, 2019 07:03 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

What a great job on that room, love the before and after photos. I think many homeowners look at cost rather than value of staging. They only see what it will cost them and miss the value they are adding to their home with good staging.

Mar 05, 2019 08:13 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543  Thank you! The seller did everything I suggested. When it comes to "cost" we usually say you can't afford not to stage...and by stage I mean improve the appearance. Staging doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't have to include rental or purchases of new furniture and accessories.

This particular home was a perfect example of occupied staging (using only what the seller had on hand) and how inexpensive it can be.  Cost of $200 for consult plus paint.

Mar 05, 2019 08:54 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Sharon - I am so glad that Carol Williams highlighted your post.  Your photos make a compelling case.

Mar 16, 2019 04:00 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sharon. This is wonderful and you did a great job. Terrific post.

Mar 16, 2019 04:44 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Thank you sista carol for including this in SCS and great job Sharon Tara always love your examples of home staging before and afters

Mar 16, 2019 08:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Grant Schneider  I didn't realize it had been highlighted. Thank you for letting me know!

Sheila Anderson  Thank you! I appreciate that!

Hannah Williams So happy to be featured in Carol's selections this week. I appreciate your stopping by. Thank you!

Mar 16, 2019 08:53 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Your photos are amazing and should keep your phone ringing.  Great job!

Mar 18, 2019 09:38 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sharon Parisi  Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it!

Mar 19, 2019 05:31 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Nicely done.  I love it when you show before and after pictures - that really helps.

Mar 19, 2019 05:36 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089  Thank you! Yes, having the visual, especially for sellers, is so important.

Mar 20, 2019 06:01 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

IN addition, the lighting was all wrong on that photo!!  Staging works!!

Mar 20, 2019 10:05 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR  Yes, lighting is very important. The "before" photo of this room is just one of my quick shots for my files. I've seen many mls pics with lighting that bad, though, and I just don't understand how an agent can be so careless.

Mar 20, 2019 02:07 PM
Matthew Klinowski, PA
Downing Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Golf Guy | Find Your Dream Lifestyle

I'm working with a potential client now where I think home staging would make a huge impact. It's a 19K square foot house. What are your thoughts about staging a couple of rooms (main entrance, kitchen)?

Apr 01, 2019 07:39 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Matthew Klinowski, PA  Partial staging is fairly common. Usually main living areas...living room, kitchen and master bedroom are important. It's also important to clearly define areas that are odd size or have unusual floor plan. If buyers have a hard time figuring out how to use a space or whether or not furniture would fit in the room, it makes the home harder to sell.

Apr 02, 2019 02:04 PM
Matthew Klinowski, PA

Hi Sharon, thank you. I appreciate your input!

Apr 02, 2019 06:26 PM