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Is it all doom and gloom?

By
Home Stager with Cameo Home Staging

Well this week has certainly been interesting to say the least all thanks to Wall street or so it seems!  But is it really all doom and gloom or is it just an excellent opportunity to get a little more creative in our marketing and using our resources in a more effective and efficient way?  It might sound a little elementaryl, but shouldn't we all look this as an ideal opportunity to get our house in order (pardon the pun) and look at how we can make adjustments in our daily activities to prepare the way for a great upswing in the housing market?  I'm definitely not an economist but experience has taught me that the best ideas have almost always been born in times of tribulation.  Think of it as the glass is half full !  We are what we think we are - so why not think positive thoughts and build our businesses on a solid foundation - this brings me to the home staging industry.  Why is it that despite the statistics so many homeowners and realtors are reluctant to invest a relatively small amount in home staging before the property is listed?  It seems that more often than not home staging is only considered when the property has been on the market for several months - although effective it is not as effective as it would be if it were taken care of before listing the property. 

The ideal scenario would be to have the home staged before any advertising or marketing efforts in order to present the property in the best possible light to potential buyers and since those are so few and far between right now, why not make that all important first impression count!  Case in point - which of these two images are more conducive to a position reaction from a potential buyer?

Master Bedroom Before

 

 

 

Before Staging:

Boring & uninviting Master Bedroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or this one after staging:

After Staging:

Which of these two would buyers respond to?

I have frequently been asked about staging tips and would encourage any one with questions to contact me via my website www.cameo-homestaging.com

Happy staging and selling and keep those comments and questions coming.

 

 

Comments(14)

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Angela Lawrence
Noble Merit, REALTORS® - Winston-Salem, NC
Broker/Owner

that is funny to see the coffee tray on the bed, we had buyer one time buy a home because of the coffee tray sitting on the bed, no doubt the whole was stage really good, but the wife could not get over the coffee tray.

Sep 29, 2008 01:18 PM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

You are so right.  Stage then market.   So much time is lost waiting to see if that buyer is going to walk in the door.   We can make the house look great so the buyers walk in the door to purchase

Sep 29, 2008 01:22 PM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON

Thank god they found you!!

You did a great job. We need to have an imagination...how many buyers could see past the original, really?

That is even the same headboard isn't it? You really did a great job. Don't you just hate those country candle jars?

Sep 29, 2008 01:33 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

That bedroom was a MESS and you transformed it into a peaceful, welcoming retreat.  The window treatment is a big improvement along with the paint color and bedding.  Great job!

Sep 29, 2008 04:50 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Timing is so important.  Getting the house staged and prepared prior to listing is crucial.  It is unfortunate that more realtors and sellers don't realize this.  In the meantime, it is very fortunate for those who do get it.  The few who stage prior to listing have a huge advantage over the competition in their price range.

Sep 30, 2008 02:59 AM
Kimberley Hawley
Hawley Interiors & Staging - Caledon, ON
Hawley Interiors & Staging

Very nice, nothing doom and gloom about this bedroom.

Sep 30, 2008 07:27 AM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

Great job, I love the tray on the bed, I have done that and it aways gets comments...

Sep 30, 2008 10:55 AM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

# 2 of course.  Nice staging, and huge difference for the sellers I am sure.  Trays on beds are great, love the implication of the writing a card or reading a book.

Sep 30, 2008 11:10 AM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

# 2 of course.  Nice staging, and huge difference for the sellers I am sure.  Trays on beds are great, love the implication of the writing a card or reading a book.

Sep 30, 2008 11:11 AM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

# 2 of course.  Nice staging, and huge difference for the sellers I am sure.  Trays on beds are great, love the implication of the writing a card or reading a book.

Sep 30, 2008 11:11 AM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

# 2 of course.  Nice staging, and huge difference for the sellers I am sure.  Trays on beds are great, love the implication of the writing a card or reading a book.

Sep 30, 2008 11:12 AM
Vicki Styons
RoomBenders - Columbia, SC

I think Terrylynn liked number 2 (LOL).  No doubt about it that the staged room looks so much more inviting.  But it says more than the bedroom is nicely appointed.  It says that the house if cared for.  That gives buyers a measure of assurance.

Sep 30, 2008 03:27 PM
Lisa Sherman
Interior Aura - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Interior, Redesign & Decorating - Salem Oregon

Absolutely no question, #2.  Just the removal of the dark vertical blinds was an improvement.  The bed tray is a great touch - very nice.

Sep 30, 2008 05:02 PM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Hi Dianne-  What a difference!  How can you not like the staged look better?  I also love adding a tray on the bed when I stage, it just gives a bedroom such a peaceful feeling. 

The reality is most people don't often get time to have coffee in bed and read a book - but it would be so nice if we could - Wouldn't it?  Creating this scene in a bedroom can be very effective.  Case in point, Brad and Angela's buyer in the situation posted above loved it so much that it had influenced their decision to buy a house.

Nice job using the same furniture and without spending a fortune.

Oct 01, 2008 04:33 AM