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The Home Staging Fairy Strikes Again!

By
Home Stager with Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island

 

Good Grief - I can't believe that it has happened, yet, again!

On Friday I went to a model, here on Long Island, that I recently staged with furniture and accessories I had chosen and purchased for the builder.  When everything was delivered 2 weeks ago, I noticed that there were scratches on a table leg as well as on an end table.  I reported this to the delivery men who quickly called the company to set up an appointment for a repair person to visit the house and correct the imperfections.

So, on Friday, while I was waiting for the repairs to be made, I casually walked through the staged rooms.  Almost immediately I began to see the small changes: chairs moved a little further into the room; kitchen counters rearranged; table settings moved; a little ‘tweak' here and there on the mantel.... and I began to wonder - who did this?  Was it someone who came to look at the model?  Was it a realtor who had nothing to do at an Open House?  Was it the builder...or one of his workers?  

Just exactly WHO is this ‘Home Staging Fairy' who comes into staged houses and does this sort of thing?  You see, this has happened to me before and on more than one occasion!  I've spoken to other stagers and they have had this happen to them as well.  Aside from it being somewhat annoying to be ‘second-guessed', I also find it rather amusing to learn that there are so many ‘would be' stagers out there (thanks a lot HGTV)!

I have a message for these ‘invisible helpers' who think that they are performing ‘home improvement' service....enough already!!  Listen...every time that I stage a house, I  leave interesting pictorial books on the coffee table along with my ‘trademark' pair of reading glasses...why not just sit and read and ‘take a load off'....just please, stop trying to ‘upstage' the stager! 

Comments(40)

Fernando Rosado
West Palm Beach, FL
561-906-0050 or 561-840-8950

Thankfully this has never happen to me.  I guess that fairies will not mess with Mother Fairy (me) LOL

Aug 27, 2008 04:25 AM
Barbara Cluck-Miksits
BCM Home Staging LLC - Ridgewood, NJ
Home Staging - New Jersey

Val ~ We have all been there. The funny thing is, they do not even know what they are doing. If I had a plumber come in and do work on my house I would not go and change a pipe after he leaves.

 It just crack-up when these people think they know more then us. Why did they call us in the first place?

Aug 27, 2008 08:22 AM
Reba Haas
Team Reba of RE/MAX Metro Eastside www.TeamReba.com - Bellevue, WA
Team Reba, CDPE

I haven't had this happen in vacant homes that we've staged, but I have found sellers who are living in a house full or part time tend to start wanting to get in on the act. Suddenly I may find a few things that weren't intended (or needed/wanted) as part of the staged look.

Some clients start going out and buying lots of new things and I have to gently tell them that our goal isn't to redecorate but to stage, which often means "less is more".  No, really, the massive number of new animal print pillows really aren't necessary!  Especially if you don't plan on using them at your next house...

Aug 27, 2008 09:48 AM
Alexandra Fletcher
Vancouver, BC

Hi Val, very frustrating! It almost makes you want to set up a small shock device to teach meddlers not to meddle!! Just look at it as your fine work has inspirred others to become stagers in their own minds!LOL! ~Emily

Aug 27, 2008 10:17 AM
Janice Sutton
1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA
Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Welcome back NY Sista! 

I think all home stager's have fairies lurking around.  Mine is my husband!  :)  I think I created the monster of all fairies!

Aug 27, 2008 10:49 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Hey guys...I have just had the BEST TIME reading everyone's response!  I wrote this as a "poke" at the absurdities of home staging and had to laugh at the differing reactions...bottom line is that most of the Home Stagers have experienced this at one time or another...

Now, most of us know that once we stage a house, we don't generally go back in until it's time to "de-stage", and let's face it...by that time the listing is sold and we just want to get our 'stuff' out and move on...but on those rare occasions when you have to go 'back in', be prepared because someone will have inadvertently 'messed' with your staging!

Kathleen - you're so right...we really ARE touchers, aren't we?!

OMG, Amber!  You totally 'hit the nail on the head'!  Yes!  We DO remember EXACTLY where we placed things!  Do you think that might be because the "Before and After" pictures, that we inevitably download, might contribute to this?!

Bob & Carolin - I truly appreciate your stopping by to read about a 'staging' experience!  It shows that, as realtors, you have open minds!

Kym - I love your sense of humor!  You've 'played' right into this now, haven't you?!!  You go girl!!

Chris -  I would have to say that putting everything back, right down to the dents in the carpet, completely exonerates you from being one of those pesky 'Home Staging Fairies'!!

Karen - ok..so that's a NEW one on me...they actually have moved your furniture from one room to another?????!  Oh...that is one BAD, BAD, fairy!!!!!

Jean - one might think...except that this was a "Model Home"...!  But I'm catching your 'drift'!

Juliet - nah!  there was at least an inch of dust everywhere...the cleaner?  I think not!  A 'viewer' whose realtor is WAY too informative about the house???  Yeah...I'd buy that...I know that if I were in that situation, I'd start rearrangin' (hey, I rhymed!)!! 

Oh, and sitting on the beach and reading books?  Oh yeah, if ONLY!  ok..so actually, yes, I MIGHT have sat at a friend's pool for MOST of the summer and gotten a tan to be envied by George Hamilton, BUT I swear, I didn't turn a page in a book!!! :) YES, I hope we do another ROUND TABLE soon (and I'll work on that...promise!)

hi Kathy!  sad, but true!  so what's that all about? Haven't you ever wondered WHY??  It kind of 'smarts', no??

Carole... thank you for that kick in the 'a-double 's'!!  YES!  it was quite the 'comeback'! (I totally need to listen to you more!)

James - I simply LOVE the "my way" attribute...yes, I think that we all, inadvertently, DO that!  We all want to leave a 'piece' of ourselves, or our 'stamp', on the world in one way or another!  And, does it ANNOY the rest of the world?  PROBABLY and YES!!!  You're funny and I love your sense of humor! 

Courtney - The 'seller' in this case was a very 'laid-back' builder...I totally doubt it, but HEY!  Ya never know!!!

Oh, Janet... that's awful!  Replacing bath mats?  What's up with that?!

Fernando - "Mother Fairy"??  What's that all about?  Should I be worried?? ;)  Just kidding!  You go right ahead and 'mess' with those bad, bad Home Staging Fairies! :)

Barbara - they call us for our 'expertise' and then second guess us!  Oh well..it's nice to be appreciated!!

Reba - I hear ya!  But Reba...'animal print' pillows???  Really?????!!

Alexandra & Emily...hmm...a 'shock machine'...that sounds good to me!  That ought to keep 'hands off'!!

Janice - hey NY 'soul' sista!  it sounds like you just might have created a mini 'staging monster'...but ya can't blame the husbands for getting all involved!  Good for you that he's helping you (and we'll forgive him for getting a little too exuberant!)

Thanks, again, all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug 27, 2008 01:23 PM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley

It could be nothing - someone playing with the arrangements to see if it looks better. Perhaps the way you staged it "almost" looked like home, or something familiar. Who knows. I doubt there's anything personal to it.

Aug 27, 2008 04:19 PM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Hi Mary - and thanks for stopping by!  I agree with you that there is nothing personal to it....I really wrote about this as a 'fun' way to show what we go through as stagers.  I'm sure that as a realtor, you have similar things happen to you all the time!

Val

Aug 28, 2008 12:25 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Val!!!  It's not just fairies, but pixies and elves and sometimes TROLLS!  I'd set up a dining table for a "buffet" - now it has place settings - not my intention!!!  Hands Off, Please!  Julie

Aug 28, 2008 01:48 AM
No Longer Available
White Rock, BC

Val, I have not read all the comments so I do not if I am repeating anything here.  

I primarily do occupied homes, so I know it is not a mystery fairy.   However, I do find it frustrating when I have asked a client to pack up some of those "too precious to be seen" items, only to find when I return that they are right back where I removed them from.   Grrrrrrrrr :-)

Aug 28, 2008 02:13 AM
Donna Dazzo
Designed to Appeal, LLC - Manhattan, NY
Home Stager in the Hamptons & New York

Val, Good to hear from you. 

I don't know if this qualifies as a staging fairy, but my most recent client for a vacant staging went around the house and removed some accessories to give back to me.  At first I thought she was trying to save some money on my rental fee, but she said it was because she didn't like them.  Some of them could be considered "contrived", i.e., fake fruit (but very real looking), reading glasses on a book (I always do that one too), slippers on the rug by the bathtub, etc., but others were simply a matter of her taste.  This is the first time anyone had done that so I was taken aback, but graciously went back to collect them and did adjust her rental fee.

Aug 28, 2008 02:17 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Hey Val!! When I worked in model homes, if stuff was..."different"...it's because someone came in and stole something- then tried to cover it up. The best would be when they'd try to take the utensils, that were glued to the placemats... :)

Aug 29, 2008 12:17 PM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate

Is it possible someone removed it to dust and then put it back?  But I have seen people look & touch things from time to time.  Once someone removed everything from a mantle to measure it for some reason.  You never know I suppose.

Sep 01, 2008 02:34 AM
Tori Lynn Wallitsch
Prudential Ambassador / Ross Designs, LLC - Omaha, NE

I am happy to say that the only time I have encountered such a phenomenon was after the cleaning crew had been through some condo models; they always move things around which I guess means they are really cleaning everything, but I wish they would get things back to the right spots. 

My guess is the builder's wife was your fairy -- it seems that builder's wives are always into decorating/staging.

Sep 01, 2008 02:25 PM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Drive me NUTS!! As you all know we can all be a bit, well PARTICULAR (to put it nicely) about how we place things. We need just the right angle, just the right vase, etc. Then to turn and see someone has changed it...YIKES. I had a realtor actually call me and told me that she moved some chairs around because she did not like the chair. Well, the reason it was placed there was to create a conversation seating and show buyers you can fit more than just one couch in the room. Ooops, I will put them back was the reply

Too funny..Hey this is NOT such a problem unless they moved things to improper places and then blame the stager when the house does not sell.

Phyllis Pafumi

Sep 18, 2008 02:52 PM
Marianne Sweet
Home Sweet Home Staging - Rochester Hills, MI
Home Sweet Home Staging, LLC Rochester Hills, MI

The Home Staging Fairy is alive and well in Michigan!

2 weeks ago I started staging a vacant house on Wednesday.  As I had another appointment, I had to return the next day to finish.  ONE DAY and the barstools were moved around and there was a smudge on a towel (I don't even want to know what it was!). 

Yesterday I went to destage a house, and the inflatable bed had obviously been sat on.  It was collapsed in the middle and all of the pillows and bed tray were puddled in the center.  I swear.......

Sep 19, 2008 12:33 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I have this happen too.  I've even had people I think take naps on the beds, I found blood stains on my comforter and sheets one time, have no idea, and probably don't want to know what went on.  When we leave, it's amazing the little changes that are made when we return.

Sep 21, 2008 04:31 PM
Janet Brown
Re/Max Aerospace Realty - Rockledge, FL
"Making A Difference One House At A Time"

Well said!  This too has happened to me.  At first I thought I was losing my marbles, then realized that the maid was involved, not mine though. 

Sep 21, 2008 05:03 PM
Catherine Lindstadt
Northport, NY

 

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Val,

As you know I am a HUGE fan of the staging process. I have found your expertise and eye for design to be an invaluable tool in helping my homeowners achieve a successful sale.  Many of my homeowners actually loved their homes more once they were staged!  I will continue to utilize and promote your services to all, a true Professional and a pleasure to work with! As for the "staging fairies" we've had out share of these situations too haven't we!  

Jan 30, 2011 03:15 AM
Val Allocco
Staged 2 Sell New York & Long Island - Northport, NY
HSE; ASHSR - Home Stager, for Manhattan, Brooklyn & Long Island

Hi Cait!

 

Yes, those fairies are EVERYWHERE!  Thank you for your kind words and many years of support and friendship!

 

Val

Feb 02, 2011 03:29 AM