When you can't do everything, a little paint goes a LONG way!!! Why do I make that statement, well Realtors and Stagers would prefer that clients do everything on the "list", wouldn't we? Of course we would! BUT in the real world, some clients just don't have the ability or funds to do so. So when THEY choose what to do (with your guidance of course), make sure they are choosing the most impactful thing to bring them the return on investment. Does your staging partner give your clients choices based on a priority? Of course your staging team can do the work if sellers have the budget, but easing them into it gets more accomplished. These are two examples of sellers that couldn't complete the whole list...but paint is always in the top 5 on my "staging list"... and top of the list for impact on a drive by, on the internet and in person are of course, CURB APPEAL, because if you can't get them inside they won't buy; and KITCHENS...The cook usually has the final vote on which home to buy a larger percentage of the time, and kitchens matter alot to the cook.
YES, we'd have loved to have a SS refrigerator and new light fixture in this condo...but the budget was tapped out with paint, appliances and countertops and flooring. SO, now the refrigerator just blends in and the rest is such a wow, it had almost as good an impact, certainly on internet photos and open houses. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED-CLIENT GOT THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK AND THE CONDO SOLD QUICKER THAN THE COMPETITION IN THEIR COMPLEX AND FOR MORE MONEY THAN THE CONDO ON THE LEFT WOULD HAVE SOLD? Sadly, this client was moving to assisted living. However, he received enough more to keep him there for many more months. He was grateful and we got him the money more quickly so he didn't have to worry while fighting his health battles. This is what staging is about...making the tipping point difference. I LOVE THIS JOB.
Those are great examples. It's amazing what just paint can do to freshen a place up and bring it more up to date. Of course, the kitchen got more than paint, and looks so much better!
great examples -- oh, yes, paint is good!
Hi Terrylynn... Yup! Paint can be a very good thing! Just make sure the colors are good and the paint job is not amateurish! Great illustrating pics!
Very Cool! Amazing what paint can do! I loved the drastic change in the kitchen.
Later in the rain~Deb
HI Terrylynn, paint is definitely the 3rd item of my to do list. Declutter, clean, PAINT.
As Steve said above it has to be done properly, no drips, crooked lines at the ceiling etc. Colours best picked by the Staging Professional to enhance the existing hard surfaces and not compete with them or make them look cheap.
Great post. :)
Paint is the cheapest and quickest way to make a change. And new paint is more important to some buyers than the quality of the home! Happy New Year.
Great examples Terrylynn! It is not often we have an unlimited budget to make all the changes we would like. You have illustrated the importance of prioritizing projects for the biggest impact beautifully!
Chris, yes, amazing paint...like "amazing grace" only for real estate.
Karen, thanks,
Steve, yes, staging pros know the color and the pros to do the work. You are so right.
Deb, it was dramatic and needed. He was most appreciative.
Michelle, yup...always...
Bruce and Mary THANK YOU. Often seller and way too many Realtors think there is too much to do that it won't make a difference. You are so right, this is often crucial to the buyers who don't want to have to do it or pay to have it done.
Michele - Yes, I agree, and the prioritizing is crucial. A seller with just a list is not a good thing, as they choose the things they want to do, often not the highest of impact items.
This is a great example of what a little paint can do.
Yes, that's why I chose those two, both serious examples of major transformation with primary added factor being the paint. thanks for commenting
Terrylynn, you do so much with the budget allocated, and ALWAYS your after photos are stunning!!
Terrylynn ~ Great examples of the miracles that a bit of paint can do for a listing!
Post is featured in the Newbie group: http://activerain.com/groups/RealWorldHomeStaging
Terrylynn, People don't realize what new paint can do! This sure illustrates it---it changed the look entirely and it's a lovely job.
Terrylynn, thank you for pointing out the idea of prioritizing our "to do" lists for clients. It's really important that realtors and sellers know that we will always recommend EVERYTHING we think they could do to bring in top dollar for their home. I often point out that that is my job, even if I know some items may not be feasible (I always want to give them a complete list as a starting point). Then I give them the priorities in order. And you're right - paint is often at the top of the list.
Awesome pictures. It's amazing that a little paint could transform those homes and give them a completely different feel. Great advice for sellers on a budget!
Terrylynn, Great post!!!!! It is always eye opening what a little paint can do! ANNIE is right, clients always need the whole list as a starting point. Paint is usually on top because it can change the whole feel of the property. Great pictures :)
Painting is always a good solution for many problems. All the best for a great 2009.
Wow - just a little paint went a VERY long way on THIS condo, Terrylynn! Very, very nicely done. I think one of the biggest mistakes a realtor or stager can do with a seller is to give them no alternatives or choices. If you say "this is what you HAVE to do to get the property sold" and they don't feel they can afford to do it, then you've pretty much lost a client. They'll dump you in a heartbeat. Choices and prioritizing are great ways to let the client know that you understand their situation and you're there to help - not to make them stressed out.
~Renae
Great before and after phots. When sellers can't do everything on the list...the top 3 are definitely CLEAN, remove all clutter, and paint.
Both great examples - and you're right - a little paint can go a LONG way!!!!
Congrats on the Feature!
Great Job with the before and after pictures....the color of paint can also make alot of difference in the saleability in a home.
Happy Holidays, Terrylynn,
Shawn
Terrylynn ~ The paint really did a great job both in the kitchen and the outside of the house. The kitchen looks totally different! I am a true believer in paint making the most difference for the least amount of money. Congrats on your feature too!
Gary, can you put that in writing, OH you just did. Thanks my friend. You are always so kind.
Maureen, Thanks so much. I appreciate the validation that I can provide something that you think is valuable to the newbies.
Carole, oh it must be a feng shui thing too, clean and uncluttered. It worked. Thanks for commenting
Annie, I agree, that's what I do too. Then I break it down and say IF you can only do 10 things, this is the priority...sort of thing. It helps them remain less overwhelmed and then as they see the results they take on more and more.
Laura, I know in a perfect world we'd all be able to do everything we wanted to...in the real world where I list and sell homes people have limitations, often they set them and they expand as we go, but sometimes they are just limitations that we can't move past. Thanks for commenting.
Wendy, thanks for your support and kind words.
Bob & Carolin, Thanks for your comments.
Renae, yes you are so right, and this is something not always understood by business people who do this work. You are a smart businesswoman in addition to being a great stager.
Really nice before and after pictures. But you're right. Even if you can't do it all, give them options. It only makes you seem more like you're willing to work with them and help them than to just make demands.
Kathy
Perfect examples of a very cost effective fix. But of course the best stagent around would know that!
The second picture looks so modern and clean of the kitchen. What a great job!!!
Wow great pics, and what a fifference it made. Looks like you swapped out the appliance. Did you?
Hi Terrylynn, Happy New year!
Truer words in the Staging World would be hard to find! A nice clean, fresh coat of paint does wonders. In fact, I confess to having actually said to a group of people, no less, "if it ain't movin' paint it"!
Love the layout of the post, too. Will have to have a think about how you did that! <grin>
Hi Terrylynn, You love it and it shows! Great job on the condo.
What a difference with the exterior of the second photo. It sure brightened up the home and made it so much more inviting.
Hi Terrylynn,
Nice photos - a good depiction of how a few changes make a significant difference. The point you make about helping homeowners to select the most impactful change(s) is a good one. You're right - not everybody can afford to do everything. The transformation in the kitchen looks very clean and uniformed. You did a great job!
Deborah :)
Hi Terrylynn.
What an impact a little paint can make. A house can be perfectly clean, but look dingy without fresh paint. I hope when people ask you what kind of work you do, that you include the fact that you do good deeds for a living! Continued success and may 2009 be your blockbuster year!
Terri Lynn Hattaway
True, if they can pick out the right color of paint. It amazes me what some peoples perception of neutral is.
I couldn't agree more.... great advise about giving options and prioritizing.
What is the rest of your Top 5 List?
PS.... Terri..... There's NEVER a last night for latkes. :-)
Rebecca, yes, my top 3 also. Thanks for commenting.
Emily, THANKS so much.
Shawn, you are right, time must be given not just to the paint but the color of the paint...THIS before was really an after because I was not specific on my consultation visit. I said we needed to paint and when I came back they said they HAD painted, they touched up the paint all around and LOVEd their chocolate chip mint house. Needless to say I learned on that one to be sure I mentioned the stager or myself would pick the paint color. oui vey...lesson learned
Kathy, you are welcome, and congrats to you too, both got featured on the same day. Great minds...
Kathy 2 - you are so right, it can seem like we are just issuing orders if we're not careful.
Karen you are so kind - love the term "stagent"...
Kristi, I know, we were surprized ourselves, and sometimes the photos are just the proof...
Charles, yes we did, except for refrigerator...which they ran out of money for, but it was less noticeable with the other changes.
Juliet, I just love how you put things. Happy New Year to you too...And thrilled I could have something to share with you that you don't know...happy to share but love the idea you are trying to figure it out.
Virginia, thank you.
Diane, agreed. She had always wanted to do it, but got used to seeing it the other way. She was very pleased and it was so much more inviting for the buyers.
Deborah, thank you.
Terri (you know, you can't have too many Terry's...) thanks for your kind words, who has been spilling the good deeds words...my daughter probably? She's actually the most generous person I know. She is an inspiration to me for a single mom and how many people she helps on a daily basis.
Cindy, ummm yes, and the realtor who learned on the people with the chocolate chip mint house were my first lesson that they didn't hear neutral. They heard touch up our paint.
Nancy, curb appeal, kitchen, paint, bathroom(s), master bedroom. The top 5 areas that have the most impact...
With a limited budget paint will certainly go a long way. A visual is always a great way to drive the point home and you accomplished that.
Terrylynn, Looks great. I'm wondering if you painted the entire outside of the house, or just the trim as I'm not sure what to do with my son's house beyond a good cleaning.
Yes!!! If only everyone would think about paint! There are also some very inexpensive and easy faux techniques that can "turn paint up" a notch.
Thanks for the great photos
Great post! WOW! I always put the most important items I would like the Seller to do at the top of the list and then tell them to try to do the "first 5 items or so"..that way if they feel that they can't "get it all done", the most important items won't get left out.
Paint is going to be number 1 in the upcoming year !!!
Jennifer, I know, at least paint, if NOTHING else is in the budget we can always find a way.
Tina, depends on the paint and how fresh it is. In this instance she had painted and thought it was great, just didn't see the arbors anymore as she felt she couldn't afford to have them painted. WOW what a difference, huh?
Susan, yes you are so right, but always with a pro like you for that kind of work, huh? A home made job looks just like that when people don't know what they are doing.
Hi,
I totally love the drastic kitchen change as well ! I also like the comment about Declutter , Clean, and paint ! nice tips! Awesome work !
Thanks
Tom Davis
Hi Terrylynn,
Paint, paint and more paint! It covers a multitude of design sins and a lot of living.
Mary, agree 100%...there is always room to paint even if the other stuff can't be completed.
Tom, why thanks so much.
Hey, Terrylyn.
I've recommended that a few of my Clients freshen up the place by painting. Sometimes, especially as reflected in your kitchen picture, it can truly be the difference between night and day.
Susan, how right you are, that's why they call you Staging Realtor of the year!!! vote for Susan...
Jim, that's for sure, isn't it? Amazing transformations sometimes even moreso in the photos. Sometimes I stand back and don't see it and then view the photos and am in awe. This was a good one. Let's see if I can find some more.
Gerat Job, Terrylyn - You should be on HGTV! I am great at a lot of staging ideas but when it comes to painting the walls, I am very conservative. What a wonderful transformation!
Wonderful, Magnificent job explaining how paint creates the most impact for the money!
Sorry; Terrylynn, I forgot to sign in.............oops......... The comment above is mind..........Sorry!
Great photos. It's amazing with a clean coat of paint can do to a house.
Sylvia, thanks, do you know someone there, let's talk. lol...thanks for the affirmation of my work.
Anon and Linda, thank you, that means alot coming from you.
Erica, yes it is amazing isn't it...I am constantly validated when we do it and it happens again with such a profound result.