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John Wayne And Why I Won't Stage A Home!

By Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

Real Estate Broker/Owner with KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate

December 11, 2008 12:13 AM

I have a condo up for sale and after little activity - I did what I recommend to clients:

upgrade and stage it!

After meeting a home stager and knowing the condo market here in Tucson, I suspected I could be paying a lot of money every month for a while. Cheaper than price drops? Probably! But, I needed to "get 'er done" and the stager I liked wasn't able to help me for a few weeks to come.

So what does "in a hurry and wanting to save a buck Gabrielle" do?

What every home stagers warns us NOT TO DO - I stage it myself!

Besides the many obvious reasons, here is another quirky reason why I won't stage a home again BUT will hire a professional next time:

The condo was staged with a few things from my back garage (I know, I know - "DON'T DO RULE #1"!) One of these items included a John Wayne statue given to me by the daughter of a neighbor that I cared for.

Next comes a call from "Honest Realtor" who says, "Nice condo. But I wanted to ask you about the John Wayne statue." After hearing her story (she asked me to donate it to a charity auction) - she says, "I know that sculptor's work -that statue is worth more than the condo - so if it is missing tomorrow - don't come looking for me!"

WHAT?! I calmly say!!! So....

John Wayne is back in my garage.

Honest Realtor should get a thank you note and gift card today.

Home Staging appointment has been set - with checkbook in hand!

John Wayne aside, this is personal experience I can share with clients who want to stage a home themselves and will help me to strongly insist they use a professional home stager!

Copyright Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, protected by COPYSCAPE 2008. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com . Buying or selling Tucson Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you!

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Lanette Branch

Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD

Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

BaHa...Gabrielle! Worth more than the condo itself? That's pretty wild to find out about it that way! What are you going to do w/it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Dec 11, 2008 12:22 AM

Charlie Ragonesi

AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA

Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

very nice post and you are doing what it takes to get the job done. A good lesson for all

Dec 11, 2008 12:26 AM

Margaret Oscilia

Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR

Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Too funny! It's nice to but high quality items in a home while staging but. . . who would have thought you had a gold nugget in the garage! -- (sounds like you need to take poor John out of the garage).

Some of my most loyal and supportive realtors are ones who have tried their hand at staging themselves . . . (it's a little different than on tv) and now let me handle it for them -- even if it means waiting!

Dec 11, 2008 12:50 AM

Diane Daley

Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

Did you sell John???? I hope the condo sold!

Dec 11, 2008 01:24 AM

Kathy Toth

Ann Arbor Market Center Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts - Kathy Toth Team

How funny to read about your little gold mine in the garage! But you're absolutely right about staging. "Do it yourself" usually means don't do it right, waste too much time, and don't get the results you wanted in the first place.

~Kathy

Dec 11, 2008 01:37 AM

Home Loan Search.Online

Home Loan Search Online - Newnan, GA

Good luck selling the condo.

Dec 11, 2008 01:42 AM

Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ

Broker/Owner

HI LANETTE! Why did I know you would "inquire"!!! Ha ha ha! I am going to list it for sale!! OK OK - not really - just a little Realtor humor! Here is the scoop -- I called the daughter that very day, and to my surprise, she knew full well what she was giving me as she recently sold a similar piece. And, the Honest Realtor was in fact right on with her "knowledge of sculptors". As much as I would love to sell it and keep the cash - I am donating it to a museum. HOWEVER - turning the tables - do tell - what would you do???!!!! This inquiring mind wants to know!!! Thanks Lanette! Happy weekend! --Gabrielle

Dec 11, 2008 01:47 AM

Girl please, I would sell that bad boy in a heartbeat and spread a lot of love w/the moolah. 'Tis the season and I would be acting like Santa all over Bel Air and beyond - spreading joy and all. A lot of people I know (and don't know) need some help and I would take it as God's way of telling me to get in gear and help 'em.

O.K., so you asked...lol!

Dec 11, 2008 03:58 AM

Kathy Passarette

Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY

L.I. Staging/Decorating

Gabrielle ~ Funny about the John Wayne statue. I am impressed with your being upfront about hiring a professional stager next time. I have to say that I don't know if I would have donated the statue; having two kids in college makes me more interested in the money aspect, but good for you for being so generous.

Dec 11, 2008 01:16 PM

O.K., so I would save a little for me to have a massage or three...you did ask, remember?

Dec 11, 2008 02:07 PM

HI CHARLIE! Thank you for the note! Yes - a good lesson learned! Gabrielle

HI MARGARET! I know several Realtors who stage homes themselves and ultimately, they leave it to a professional as well! It takes a lot of creativity to make it right! Although, I will admit - John Wayne looked pretty good in the condo! --Gabrielle

HI CARON! I haven't sold John or the condo! I hope the condo sells - SOON! Gabrielle

HI KATHY (TOTH)! Geez - staging does take time - especially if it is done correctly. It's not as easy as it looks to be! Thank you for the comment! --Gabrielle

HI KATHY P! Thanks for your honesty! With an ARM that is about to balloon next year - trust me - it's crossed my mind what I could do with the money. There is more to the John Wayne statue than I wrote about - it's a sad story and the reason he's been in my garage for so long - too hard to part with him - donating, selling or anything. If I only knew what the original owner would have done! Thank you for the comment! --Gabrielle

LANETTE! LANETTE! LANETTE! You have given me a great idea! Selling it to someone with money - then using that money to spread some love - that's a GOOD thing too! I will think about that -- and let you know what I decide. In person. On the way to getting massages. My treat! And then we can discuss more ways to share the luck I happened upon! Ha ha ha! I'll admit though, if I sold it - I'd give a lot away and probably keep more than just a little of the money - I mean if you are going to go that route -- you might as well go that route -- know what I mean??!! I've had so much fun thinking about what I could do -- and your comments have made it a lot more fun! Thanks so much - I will keep you updated on what happens with John.

Dec 11, 2008 10:10 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

At the very least get it appraised and get a rider on your insurance! Sounds like you have some good ideas of what to do with it. Thank goodness for the honesty of the person who contacted you.

Dec 18, 2008 08:42 AM

John Wayne And Why I Won't Stage A Home!

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Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind

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