From Modest to Marvelous

This is a “Good News, Bad News” story. 

The good news is that our family pays attention when we share the news that houses that we’ve staged sell within the first few weeks of being staged.  They know about the Peppergrass (http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/Pepper-Grass-Staging.html) and Manor (http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/Manor-Drive-Staging.html ) projects that sold within the first week; Camelot Court (http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/Camelot-Court-Staging-1.html  )which sold within the first month; or my Osage house (http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/OsageDesign.html ) which sold on the first day. 

The bad news comes when we stage one of their houses and it does not sell as quickly – and they remind us of our successes!

The really good news is that we transformed my daughter’s Mockingbird house from modest into something quite marvelous.  It was another “labor of love” for the Transitions team.  Of course, a mother pulls out all of the stops when her daughter needs her help and Mockingbird is no exception.

Here are a few of the things that we did to transform modest into marvelous.

·         Living Room – used white linen slip covers on the two sofas to provide a clean, bright look to complement the carpeting and walls and then accented the room with ringed black and white drapery panels and a really cool white French chair covered in a bold Vervain fabric

·         Breakfast Nook – enhanced a simple breakfast nook with red and white chairs, glass top table and a basket full of zinnias

·         Master Bedroom – transformed this simple room with light colored linens and silk draperies

·         Utility Room/Study – illustrated the many possibilities in this large utility room that can also double as a home office

My daughter, Megan, has been around house selling all of her life.  She understands that like a good wine, it can take time for a house to sell.  It might sell quickly but it can also take time for the right buyer to find this house.  Her husband, James, is new to this house selling game.  His parents still live in the house in which he was raised.  He asks just about every day when their house will sell.  And we advise him to just be patient, it will sell. 

You can see more photos of this project at http://www.transitions-home-staging.com/Mockingbird-Staging.html

We remain completely open to the possibility that the Marvelous Mockingbird house will sell any day now!

Dwell in possibilities

Cindy

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