In this example of home staging I would like to show Realtors and home owners the value in the buyers perception of a property when you take the time to tidy up and create a home that is ready to be shown.
Buyers spend less than 5 minutes viewing your home so it is wise to paint the picture for them to see how they would live in your home. It is in your best interest as a seller to present your home as "move in ready".
65% of buyers have stated that they will pay more for a move in ready home.
All I did in this home staging was tidy up, rearrange the furniture from other rooms in the house and place a few rental accessories and props throughout the home. By doing this I was able to market the home to potential buyers that were looking for their new dream home. One that they could live and entertain in with ease.
The investment for these two rooms was $300.00.
Investment, minimal.
Impact, priceless.
Winner of the Trailblazer Company of the Year Award 2009
Hi, Michelle:
65% may admit to it but I think there are even more who are negatively influenced by that first impression which cannot be changed. What a difference your staging made. Great job!
I strongly believe in the power of staging a home. Good work and I love your logo too!
Some home owners just can't see the potential in their rooms with what they have. You did a great job of showing off this home owners property.
Michelle, this is a great example of small investment, HUGE impact! Great work!
Wow, what a huge difference. Some people just don't get it that little changes, make big impacts. Great job.
Hi Claudette, I have to agree with you about the 65% of buyers being effected by the first impression. We live in such a visual world now, we all tend to make decisions in seconds now. Buyers expect so much more from a listed house as they watch home buying shows on TV that educate the public as to what to expect (deserve?) when buying a home. A first impression is very difficult to come back from once it is made. You can list a house not prepared to be shown, take it off the market and relist it staged. It will make a difference. You might even get back some of the first time viewers. They will then see the possibilities of the home and make an offer. I have seen it happen many times in all price brackets.
Hi Jennifer, thank you for the compliments. My logo was a lot of fun to create. It really is how I stage.I am seen quite often with the top down on my car with larger items on the seat with the seat belt holding them in place. Makes for a great conversation starter!
P.S. Zammit is my god parents name.
Hi June, the owner of this home had moved out already and was not there for the staging. When they returned after a week away they were really taken aback at the difference tidying up and proper furniture placement had achieved. As stagers we can educate buyers one at a time and hopefully agents dozens at a time when they view staged properties on a daily basis.
Hi Annie, I do mostly larger homes but this is a prime example of a smaller home done a very small budget. I always suggest to agents and home owners to at least have me in to provide a consultation to get them on the right track. Thanks for stopping in to see this little gem.
Hi Chrissie, I agree 100% with you. I try to explain it like this.... It's like when you have the perfect little black dress. The outfit isn't complete until you have found the perfect little necklace and the perfect shoes. Every woman nods in agreement as we have all been there and experienced that feeling. They get it immediately, you can see the light bulb go on in their heads. I suggest they would never put on a pair of flip flops with their LBD so why would they show off their greatest assset in anything less than a similar, stellar way.
I have to agree Michelle, you after was priceless. Especially the first one, it really made the room cozy and spacious.
Hi Cynthia, it's all about making people feel like saying... " you know, this place just feels like home to me. It just feels right". When I accomplish that with my staging it doesn't take long for an offer to be coming in. This house was deceptively small looking from the outside. Once inside you realized how much space there was. The landscaper that installed the new sod due to a pool that was removed, couldn't believe how much bigger it looked when inside.
Wow, Michelle, your changes make such a big difference in these photos. Love your little black dress explanation, too. And in today world an investment with a return like home staging truly is "priceless!"
Hi Mary, the LBD explanation works every time. It is an experience we all go through which resonates with the client like it was yesterday. Their home deserves the same careful attention. No matter how clean it is, or freshly painted- it takes home staging to make it really stand out online in those tiny little listing pictures.
Wow! That was an excellent job of making a home look inviting and ready to move in. What you have there Michelle is a talent that you are putting to a good use. I think I will share your blog with a few of my clients.
Michelle, I love your talent and the ability to make simple changes that have a huge impact. People don't want to spend much money right now and we all need to work around that--you do it flawlessly!
Hi Bob, please do use my posts and forward on to your clients if it helps motivate them to make simple changes to market their home for sale. I work with budgets small and large. The smaller ones definitely encourage you to think outside the box to get the job done on time and on budget.
Hi Carole, how true. Everyone has budget concerns right now,whether it is a 4,000 sq. ft. home or a 1200 sq. ft. home. Thank you for your comments on my work. As with most stagers, I do try to make something out of nothing on a daily basis to be respectful of the clients concerns.