After almost 5 years in the home staging business sometimes even I am amazed at what a difference a little staging can make. I visited this vacant home in Wayne 2 weeks ago- a Realtor that I work with wanted me to take a peek at her listing and come up with a plan on how to make it more appealing to younger first time home buyers. I have to say the results were awesome! What was once a vacant twin with rooms that had no defined purpose is now a charming retreat that buyers can imagine calling home. This is one home staging that definitely made a dramatic difference!
UPDATE! I just spoke with the agent and this home ALREADY HAS AN OFFER!! Not bad for staging it last week?!
I need to fly you to California to have you do my home. Then we can take a trip to Napa for wine tasting and a spa.
thanks shell! I may just take you up on that offer. the crazy thing is that this is one of my favorite stagings of all times and it may be one of the most "affordable". My client paid $2,000 for 90 days including our time, labor and all rentals! A lot of home sellers think that staging and rental furniture is costly- the truth is a professional home stager with a great inventory can make almost any rental sofa look chic and "on trend" I have to say the blue sofa is growing on me and make a visit to another home soon. KH
Kate, Let's see. . . feeling small and cold OR after your staging spacious, warm and current. No contest - your work is faboulous! Love the mirror on the desk idea!
Thanks Michelle- This home is only 5 minutes from my house and the joke is that I want to move there secretly and have it be my little nest. The truth is that it is actually quite large- 3 full floors- but since it is a twin it has long and narrow spaces.
I use tricks like the mirror over the desk to accomplish a few things- 1. make the space feel larger and brighter and 2. add some architectural balance to the space- the window is off center and the mirror mimics the window.
FYI- I actually hung it on the wall but made it look like it was leaning- safety first! kh
Michelle- I also used a similar trick in the downingtown staging I just did- if you look at the master bedroom the window is off center. I hung some metal architectural items on the wall to create more balance in that space. kh
So much for my little hide away- I just spoke with the agent and they already have an offer! We staged it Thursday and they got an offer yesterday! I will keep you posted on the details. KH
What a great update Kate! I am not surprised after seeing the photos. Congrats!!!!
Kate - What an amazing transformation. I can definitely see why it sold so fast.
I love seeing transformations like this - Excellent!!!
Looks so much better. I was thinking that it's kind of amazing that you've been staging for 5 years already. You must have been one of the first in the business.
Great work. and thanks for letting us know in your comments how much you charged. I have no idea what the range is here in NC, but I least I know a starting point.
ANd who says staging doesn't work?????
This is a great one to put on your resume.
The blue sofa is really an eye grabber.
I've been thinking about buying a red sofa from Ikea and I'm not sure if it will be overwhelming.
This looks great. It's simple and not over done.
Thanks for sharing these Kate ... I love before and after pictures!
Good morning Kate, Congratulations on another wonderful job! You always have such beautiful pictures in your blogs. I can totally understand why agents opt to have their homes professionally staged...it allows the buyers to "envision calling that house their HOME..." And it is important to find a home stager that has a large inventory of furniture...what an amazing service you provide!
Love love love the colours you used in the living room!
I want the big striped vase!
Great job & I really like the cost!!! The cost is always a HUGE factor...you should be marketing this with how extremely affordable it really can be.
p.s. can I joinin on the Napa trip???!!! :)
Kate: I love those stars! They make me feel good. Nice job!
I love the color palette you used with the stars and blue couch in the living room. It really works well with the woodwork and wall color in the home! Great job! Thanks for sharing...
Congrats, Kate! Looks awesome. The colors are really fun!
I completely believe in home staging. It makes ALL the difference, as your photos show. We just staged one of my high end listings, and I know it will sell quicker because of it.
great job. Is the rental furnitures your or do you go to a local area. Beautiful work. Congratulations
great job. Is the rental furnitures your or do you go to a local area. Beautiful work. Congratulations
great job. Is the rental furnitures your or do you go to a local area. Beautiful work. Congratulations
I love the pics. Your design is simple and clean but warm at the same time. Staging combined with appropriate pricing is an awesome combination that always gets homes sold!
I love the desk/mirror idea. I wouldn't have thought of that.
Are you really making any money off that? Even if you own the furniture, it doesn't seem like you'd be making much profit. But then I'm used to SoCal prices.
Nice looking home - and surprisingly, all that furniture didn't make the rooms look smaller.
Hey all,
thanks for all your comments, I was so surprised and honored to be part of the Active Rain "staged" newsletter. I was staging yesterday so I did not have a chance to answer your comments but I will try.
Diane- yes it has been almost 5 years! I started when I second son was born. I was one of the first in my region and although the concept is more well known here it is still something we need to work to educate consumers on.
Linda- I think it is important for consumers to know what we charge- this client now does not have to carry 2 homes, 2 mortgages, 2 school tax bills, utilities etc. The staging worked and he can now move on.
Virginia- I was nervous about using the sofa- it was a cheap alternative to the one I wanted to use but I have to tell you the blue monster has grown on me! I think a pop of color is great for staging- you can use less artwork and accent items and create a warm and memorable look.
Dane, Shannon and Janet- I loved the colors too! The vase is the FIRST prop I ever bought. I like how it can be modern and country at the same time depending on the props. I decided not to fight the yellow and go for Country meets Crate and Barrel- well that was the attempt!
Janet- it is rental furniture- I bring in all the props.
Beth- Prices are less expensive here than Cali but we make it up in volume of stagings. I rent all the furniture- that way I do not have to warehouse, repair, transport, deliver or deal with workman's comp etc. I then charge a flat fee to provide the staging and the accessories. It took me 1.5 hours to plan it and 2 hours to install it. It will take another hour to pick it up and transport it back to the warehouse. Not bad for less than 5 hours of work! This of course does not include the business side-the bid, the contracts, the shopping for inventory. At this point however I have a pretty substantial supply of props so I just have to go and select the items I want to use.
Georgina- Thanks! At first I was nervous that it would make the home look smaller but in person it does the opposite- it shows purpose for a space and how furniture can look in a space. I was not in the market for a home but after I saw this home staged I really loved it- I think it was the blue sofa! kh
Hi Kate, This is a gorgeous staging job, no wonder it sold so quickly. You certainly staged a lifestyle look.. CONGRATS on the feature in the newsletter !! AWESOME. God bless,
Awesome job! It looks fantastic! I am familiar with the area but i live and work in washington DC now. I know that Wayne has some wonderful houses and you did a great job staging this one.
Great use of space and good arrangements. Staging does make a plac feel roomier and more inviting. You go, girl!