Since creating the “to be continued” blog, I’ve been closing each post with the words “dwell in possibilities.” I must confess that I borrowed this phrase from the great poet, Emily Dickinson. I saw her quote and realized that it summed up what I am doing as a professional home stager and interior designer.

I am most grateful to Ms. Dickinson for her insightful and inspiring phrase.

Regardless of the size or price range of a house, my objective is to find the possibilities in that house. I am looking for those unique features of that house and finding possible ways to accentuate them for the potential buyer. I am analyzing those unusual spaces that buyers find difficult to understand upon first glance and finding possible functional uses for those spaces.

In the end, my mission is to help the potential buyer see how they could dwell in the possibilities of this house!


Monday, September 12, 2011

Vacant, Empty Houses – Staging a Blank Slate

Vacant houses are a blank slate to potential buyers.  If they are experienced home buyers, they may be able to envision how they would live their life in those vacant rooms and spaces.  If they are like many buyers, they may be intimidated, confused or turned off by the many options and unknowns inherent in empty rooms. 

Plus, some buyers may be confused or oblivious about room and space usage when these spaces lack furniture and accessories.  Staging a house illustrates how that space can be used and even brings some great features to light that may have been missed without furniture.  In addition, the online photos of vacant houses and empty rooms are lackluster at best.  Since 80-90% of buyers start their house search online, photos need to look great.  A vacant and empty house may not attract as many buyers as the online photos will be indistinguishable from the other dozen or so vacant, empty houses. 

Like most things in life, you want your house to stand out from the competition when there is a For Sale sign in the front yard.  You want potential buyers to want to see it and after seeing it remember it – ideally as their new house!

Professional home staging helps fill in the blanks of a vacant and empty house.  Moreover, it helps that house stand out from the competition.  And if done well, the staged home answers the questions and concerns about room and space usage.

Today, we have a great example of staging a blank slate – a vacant and empty house.  The Tallgrass staging project included the following additions that turned this blank slate into a picture of home. 

·         Even a long, narrow entry can be staged to make a great first impression

·         I love a dining room where I can utilize a nice, big round table!

You can view all of the “Before” and “After” pictures of the Tallgrass Staging Project at the Transitions website (http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/Tallgrass-Staging.html ).

With professional home staging, the buyers can imagine its opportunities and possibilities.  Now, buyers have the ability to imagine how they would live in this wonderful house. 

Dwell in possibilities


Cindy
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