From Bachelor Pad to Totally Fab!

By
Home Stager with details (Redesign and Staging)

Wow, where to begin with this one. . .

Let me tell you a little about Mike the homeowner (not his real name).  Mike had it all going for him, he had "the girl" (or so he thought), a great job and because of how easy it was to get a 0% down mortgage and approved for a loan he really would have been better off not getting, he purchased a condo to call home and all before the age of 23.  Well not even a few months later "the girl" broke Mike's heart  ...and he lost his job shortly there after ...and yes, you guessed it, he was losing his home too. The worst part -- Mike really couldn't get out from under his condo -- he owed thousands more on it  then he could sell it for due to the change in the market.

This is the part where I come in.    Dunt dada daaaaaaah   ;-)

I can't lie, the condo was an absolute mess. Bob's parents were helping him with the monthly expenses and with his Dad's help they decided to complete the entire list of cosmetic upgrades that I suggested. They needed it to sell for a specific amount and believe me, it was no small list of suggestions. New flooring, light fixtures, counter-tops, window blinds and custom paint colors throughout. New kitchen appliances, painting all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and adding hardware. From faucets to light switches and outlets just about everything that you could upgrade cosmetically was replaced.

It was one of the biggest transformations I've ever worked on.... they really did an amazing job. I staged every single room of the condo including the back patio. The pictures below really don't do it justice.

So how did Mike's condo do once put on the market?

The Realtors original estimated listing price prior to fixing up and staging: $160,000
Asking price after upgrades and staging: $189,000
Actual Selling price: $195,000
Approximate number of weeks on the market: 7


And here are a few of my favorite photos of the core rooms on this project.

Living Room 1 Before 

Living Room 1 After

 

Living Room 2 Before

Living Room 2 After

 

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

 

Dining Area

Dining Area

 

Master Before

Master After

It's very late and I have an early morning. If you'd like to see the other rooms or more photos I'd be happy to post them later this week.

Updated: 10/26 - here are a few more pictures.

Upstairs Bedroom Before

Upstairs Bedroom After

 

US Bath Before

US Bath After

US Bath After 2

Sandi Gregory, Owner
details (Redesign and Staging)
www.detailsRedesignAndStaging.com
Staging the greater Puyallup area since 2005!

Comments (21)

Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Now that is a great staging success story Sandi!  Sounds like you all made a great team in preparing this condo for sale.  Your expertise and hard work put money in their pocket as well as a quick sale.  You did a beautiful job staging the condo.  I see why it sold so quickly.  Congratulations!!!

Oct 25, 2008 11:29 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

I wish we had taken pictures of our last few staging projects...bachelors can provide such a dramatic transformation....we had electric blue carpet with matching drapes..."make believe" wood paneling...a hole for a sleeve air conditioner (the house had central air for years) and the list goes on....it''s gorgeous now....soft beiges with some contrast to the walls...new window treatments....such fun !

Oct 26, 2008 12:22 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Sandi ~ Great job!  I'm sure this young bachelor was thrilled that he got a load off his shoulders.

Oct 26, 2008 01:06 AM
Eva Liland
Platinum Real Estate Group - Canyon Country, CA
Realtor Canyon Country CA, Used Mobile Homes - Manufactured Homes

From a bachelor pad to an elegant retreat, BEAUTIFUL JOB! Excellent!

Oct 26, 2008 02:39 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Sandi, Wow, what a beautiful transformation! Great staging, I love it!

Oct 26, 2008 02:39 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

 

Thanks, Pacita... 

It really was, Michele. But it was also that the homeowner and dad were so willing to invest a little money to upgrade. They didn't spend all that much and because they're such handy guys did all the work themselves.

Sally & David - Don't you just hate that! There has been a time or two that I forgot my camera or didn't take befores for some darn reason and I always regret it. Such a bummer.

Kathy - Oh you have no idea. Although once it was all fixed up he said it was really bitter sweet. He purchased it knowing it had potential and after seeing it done I think it was a little hard to let it go.

Thanks, Eva and Cynthia.  I'll have to post some of the other rooms too...  he had a junk/storage room upstairs that we turned into a bedroom and they did a great job with the bathroom upstairs as well so stay tuned.... 

 

Oct 26, 2008 05:17 AM
#7
Ilyce Glink
Think Glink Media - Chicago, IL
Best-selling author, award-winning TV/radio host.

Sandi- This is incredible! It looks like this bachelor certainly would not have been able to make this place look great without you. Nice job!

Oct 26, 2008 06:10 AM
Robyn Guinn
StageAZ - Phoenix, AZ
Home staging, Arizona

Beautiful work!  How did you tie that wrap around towel in the bath room?  Very cute idea.

Oct 26, 2008 06:20 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Sandi,

Very impressive work!  I'm sure Mike didn't want to sell after seeing how fabulous his place looked!   I love the backsplash tile you used in the bathroom and I am assured that the whale mural was removed or painted over! Yes?

Oct 26, 2008 06:27 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

I love your sunburst mirror!  Very nice work-just an incredible transformation-one to be very proud of indeed!!!  

Oct 26, 2008 08:07 AM
Jill Schmit
Micoley & Company - Green Bay, WI
ABR, ASP, GRI

Sandi - beautiful transformation. The seller was very fortunate to have a father who could help so much & to have such a great staging professional.

Oct 27, 2008 04:01 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Sandi,

You did a tremendous job! I love that coffee table. I'd like to have that in my inventory!

Oct 27, 2008 04:42 AM
LaNita Cates
REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

This is gorgeous work! You did a wonderful job and congrats for helping it get sold so quickly!

Oct 27, 2008 08:36 AM
Kate Hart
Hart & Associates Staging and Design - Radnor, PA

ummmm.... one word. AMAZING! this is awesome. thanks for sharing. kh

Oct 27, 2008 10:10 AM
Wendy Casey
A-List Home Staging & Decor - Surrey, BC

Wow!....from flop pad.. to welcoming and sophisticated! Love those classy neutrals. Congratulations, Sandi.

Wendy Casey - Surrey, BC

Oct 29, 2008 05:14 AM
Diana Young
Staging Seattle, King & Snohomish Counties - Edmonds, WA

Hi Sandi,  That looks like a brand new place!  I'll bet you had a lot of fun staging that one.  Continued success to you.

Oct 29, 2008 07:17 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Fabulous job, it certainly doesn't look like a bachelors pad now. Well, it does, but a classy one!

Nov 20, 2008 04:32 PM
Kathy Riggle
STAGING SMART N SOLD - Houston, TX
Houston Home Staging

Very appealing and streamlined updates with your staging! Shows the potential of the property.

Nov 28, 2008 04:10 AM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Bachelor pads are the most work, but the most rewarding - aren't they?  That is, as long as they are willing to do what we ask them to do.  I've had several successes with the "bachelor pad" and it's so rewarding when they sell as quickly and as much as they do.  thanks for sharing!  Oh, and fantastic job too.

Nov 28, 2008 09:10 AM
Julianna Hind
eXp Realty - Tacoma, WA
REALTOR, 206-679-4768, Tacoma Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, WA

Awesome Staging Work Sandi! I love the transformation in the kitchen... all that work really paid off!

Feb 19, 2009 05:23 PM