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Does Staging Hide a Home's True Character?

By Holly Gray

Home Stager with Rising Moon Interiors

February 08, 2009 01:50 PM

I had a Real Estate Agent comment on one of my post's that 'staging hides a home's true character'!... Here is my response;

"You got my gears turning, which leads me to a rather carnivorous analogy - So here goes:

Most people (except perhaps,vegetarians) agree that a nice juicy, well prepared steak is pretty hard to beat. What does steak have to do with home staging, you ask?

Well, imagine yourself beyond hungry at the restaraunt. How appetizing would you find a raw slab of meat on the plate in front of you? Get your taste buds going? Raw Meat

A vacant house is a home in the raw. It has potential, but not everyone can visualize what it can become. Does seasoning and grilling a steak hide it's true character or enhance it's appeal?

Perfectly Prepared Steak Dinner

The true purpose of home staging is not to cover, rather to enhance a house. Buyer's come with an appetite. So, ask yourself; Are you serving them what they want?

Staging will help to get a buyers mental juices flowing. It provides a way for the buyer to visualize the home's true & immediate potential."

I'd love to hear more feedback from Agent's & Stager's on this issue...

Ciao,

Holly

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Pat Tasker

Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI

Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

Staging pulls on emotion, and we all know, home buying is done on emotion (most of the time)

Feb 08, 2009 02:01 PM

Gina Zimmerman

North Eastern Group Realty - Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne Real Estate

I am a realtor and a ASP stager. There is no doubt in my mind that buyers have NO imagination. Let them see the possibilities. Best wishes with your business

Feb 08, 2009 03:27 PM

Sandi Gerrard

Toronto, ON

Even though I am a vegetarian, I totally agree with your analogy on this !

Feb 09, 2009 01:44 AM

Holly Gray

Rising Moon Interiors - Kalispell, MT

Professional Home Stager - Bigfork, Kalispell, Whitefish Montana

Pat - So true. We want staging to help buyers feel an emotional connection to the house. What Real Estate Agent wouldn't want that?

Gina- Glad to see yet another Agent who is a staging believer. You probably see the benefits first hand quite often!

Sandi- Glad to know the analogy makes sense! Not sure why we have such a challenge getting more REA's to understand. Oh well, one at a time, right?

Feb 09, 2009 03:47 AM

Tanya Venable

Orlando, FL

SEO, Mobile SEO, and Internet Marketing Consultant

Holly, some people will never get it. Great analogy, I love steak. Anyway, Professional Staging only enhances a home's character and helpz visualize functionality. Buyers may love a home's character but if they are completely clueless on how to utilize the space it could be a lost sale.

Feb 09, 2009 10:03 AM

Lori Donegan

Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN

Totally agree Holly. We have to keep educating and they will finally get it!

Feb 09, 2009 12:15 PM

Sheila Kennedy

J29 Project - Rochester, NY

You are right on! Staging draws attention to the highlights of the home and defines purpose for each room. It would be like pointing out the beautiful marbling on a good piece of steak. Great analogy!

Feb 09, 2009 12:55 PM

Tanya- so true, not every one can cook a superb steak, or visualize how great a space can look!

Lori- Aaah, 'education', lots more involved than I planned when I started this business. The best part is when you see the result of what you've been preaching about come to fruition! Love that!

Sheila- we could come up with so many more... I think I feel another blog coming on!

I just want to say thanks to you all for stopping by. Blogging has not been my biggest business strength. Your comments have given me a boost! Thanks alot!!

Feb 09, 2009 02:15 PM

Peg Prather

Vancouver, WA

Staging makes a so-so house look great, and and a great house look fabulous! How can you go wrong with that formula? Taking a house with character, and breathing life into; that is what people are looking for!

Feb 09, 2009 04:42 PM

Peg-Couldn't agree more!

Feb 10, 2009 02:53 AM

Pangaea Interior Design Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling

Portland Oregon - Portland, OR

Hmmmm, I wonder what that realtor meant by hiding the house's true character? I wonder if possibly they meant that some staging is bland, cookie-cutter, one size fits all? Maybe ... hard to know. I totally agree that good staging accents the house. The furnishings, art and accessories should be appropriate for the home and really bring out the charm and appeal of that home.

Feb 11, 2009 07:48 PM

Pangaea- Thanks for stopping by! Staging certainly does have many facets. No doubt, a home's true character is of key importance. At times "improvements" done by the homeowner, such as garish flooring or even in some cases wallpaper, are not always optimal, and must be "worked" with. I suppose you could liken it to a tough cut of meat. In that case, isn't the point of staging to make it all work, with as broad of an appeal as possible? I imagine that could be interpreted by some as "cookie cutter", but aren't we working to appeal to the general public(a.k.a market demographic)?

Sincerely,

Feb 12, 2009 03:11 AM

Margaret Oscilia

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

Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Yes - some of the houses I see have a lot of character -- and not character that would be appealing to most buyers! What a funny comment -- isn't it fun to know the possiblity staging brings! If clean, decluttered and appealing is hiding character then it's a good thing!

Mar 19, 2009 11:14 PM

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Holly Gray

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