OHHHH I love this post. It is wisdom that should be part of the arsenal of every realtor and every stager when talking with clients. We get so excited about doing the whole works that sometimes the client wonders if they really can stage. YES they can, staging for any budget, just ask. This is a perfect example of what it takes and the results for the effort. Do it yourself with guidance is actually a great way to accomplish your goals. In this economy, I know most stagers offer and realtors encourage this service for their clients. Read and see what I mean. Happy selling.
Ah-Hah! You thought that hiring a professional Stager would cost you big bucks and they were exclusively for fancy, expensive homes. Think again. With the wise advice of a pro, a homeowner can make smart, economical updates and enhancements to their home to get it prepped and ready for the market.
Case Example: Two Teachers, Two Mortgages and a Baby...
With a baby, two mortgages, and salaries as a music teacher and swimming coach - This young couple was working on a super tight budget to make their for-sale home shine! With the help of a stager, they made great choices on how to prepare their home.
Home Statistics: Starter or Down-size Home 2 Bedrooms 1 Bath Price $150,000.00
Pluses: Great cottage feel features, fireplace, beamed ceilings, nice size rooms, awesome, high ceiling bonus room off kitchen.
Issues: Empty, Too personal choice of paint colors.
Action Plan: Because of the price point, no drastic changes were made - Instead, work with what you have - Add a fresh coat of paint, a few ceiling light fixtures and strategic staging.
#1. Make repairs and updates yourself. With a few stager chosen paint colors and a few key economic updates - In one weekend the home began the shine - Paint, etc...$ 150.00
#2. Empty Rooms? What should I do? Rather than renting furniture, the homeowner purchased and borrowed a few advised key pieces. Once sold, the new will go to their new home - Furniture $ 1400.00
#3. Making it a Home. Once painted and furniture delivered, the professional stager swept through the house - bringing in a host of accessories, art and window treatments, thus turning the house into a home - Staging Fee $ 750.00
Results: See for yourself.... http://www.realestateshows.com/393418
Since 1999, Julea Joseph has owned a Chicago based design and staging business - Reinventing Space. She specializes in giving homeowners expert insight on how to refresh, style and celebrate their space -Whether prepping their home to go on the market, just settling in, or just in need of a change. She also offers educational, seminar and mentoring services to the public and others in the industry.
Terrylynn, with attention to details, careful listening, and focusing on a budget, a staging solution can be achieved. Your story and reblog points this out. Thanks.
Julea wrote a terrific post, I thought about it, but she's already done it and it didn't need improving upon at all. SO, there you go, I agree, obviously or I wouldn't have reblogged it. Thanks Gary for following my posts. T