Throwback Thursdays…A Far Cry From Air Mattresses

Good morning Kathy. Back in the day when staging was first coming out people would look at me like I was nuts for suggesting it. A doctor let a new start up stage his home using only what he had in the home. A buyer surfaced who had previously seen the home and did not like it. Goes to show you, done right it speeds up the selling process. It you believe time is money make the investment.  Enjoy your day.

Hello Kathy - I remember some of those early days of staging.  Over time, the practice has definitely evolved and transformed real estate marketing.   

I have seen homes staged with air mattresses and thought it would have shown better without the staging, haha.

Good morning, Kathy... as in any profession... there are stagers who do great and those who leave you scratching your head. One thing I am grateful for to HGTV is that people no long get that blank look on their faces when I talk about staging.

Bahahaha, I have used an air mattress on occasion, but it MUST be in a listing close to the house (or have a seller who is living in the home and just needs to have a quick bedroom setup. 

Good morning Kathy,

I've been a full believer in staging for quite some time. There are great stagers and those that do an okay job. I only use one stager because he is the best! Both my son and daughter use him too and I've known him for years when he decorated all the model homes for builders. He has a flair with color, his accessories and always creates a "Life style" that buyers love and identify...they often ask to purchase his staging items. Brian has 4 warehouses of furniture, art work, rugs etc. and always refreshes his inventory. In fact he has sales every year that everyone clamors to attend! I call his work "The Brian Touch." His touch does make a difference!

First impressions do count as does the culture of the community.  Out here homes that have been well staged often receive comments about "I wish the home was empty." Many folks have no imagination.

Great post!  Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day!

Kathy, The fundamental principle remains unchanged: showcasing the property's potential and livability to both buyers and agents remains very important!

Hello Kathy and staging is a art and not everyone has what it takes to do it.  Thanks for your great blog.

Hi Kathy,

I am a firm believer in staging a home.  Virtual staging is an option for sellers on a tight budget or a home that will sell fast.   I really don't like photographing empty rooms unless they are virtually staged.  A home staging consultant adds a lot of value for the seller and the RE agent.

One of my biggest hobbies was/is going to new developments and checking out the model homes.  I have been doing that since 1968!  Developers have been staging homes for as long as I can remember.  I recall cardboard TVs and computers and, of course, fake fruit and flowers. 

Hi Kathy:

Staging has certainly come a long way from the early days. But it truly can make a difference when done well. I saw a blow-up mattress on boxes not all that long ago...it was a big surprise!

Jeff

I had to laugh Kathy about the air mattress going flat. Back in those short sale days I did run across a few 'staged' home that I saw that and worse.  My first thought was probably....okeedookee then, don't we look great! Moving on folks...nothing to see here!

As for staging homes I've been doing that since day 1 back in 87 and it does add a lot of value to a home.

Thanks, Kathy, for sharing some of your memories.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Kathy, funny when I read your title, I remember one home with a "deflated" mattress too, that does look really funny!   Staging has come a long way!

Kathy staging is much better know these days, but still not utilized as much as it should be.

Staging can make all the difference in the world, when it comes to marketing homes.  I often speak about my own home.  It was so cluttered and in need of cosmetic things like removing ugly wallpaper, and tangerine shag carpeting, when I first viewed it.  But, it was the clutter that had me coming back to view more than once before I had courage to make an offer.  Once, I removed a few books and magazines from the couch, took a seat with graph paper, to pencil in my own furniture, and make a "to do" list before moving in.  I realized once the seller's junk was gone, all It really needed once wallpaper removal, paint and new carpeting.  Once I closed escrow, I got the surprise of my life when I lifted a corner of that old carpet, and found perfect hardwood floors beneath.

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Ha ha, I have to admit to using an air mattress in a vacant home once. Like your situation, upon arrival - it looked like a melted bed.

I never did use an air mattress for staging, but I did use Rubbermaid totes (I think it was 12 of them) once with lots of blankets on top as a mattress. Sounds awful, but it did the trick. LOL