Synergy Staging - Portland Home Staging Blog

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Staging Helps Affordable Housing Development Shine

Our Portland home staging company gets contacted by many different types of potential clients.  Recently a Community Land Trust called to see if we would be interested in donating our home staging services for a new affordable housing development in our neighborhood that was targeted to families of moderate means.  We haven’t provided a complimentary full staging in the past, but this idea sounded interesting, so we met with the Executive Director at the property.

We were happy to discover the wonderful vision of the Clackamas Community Land Trust which was to provide permanently affordable homeownership opportunities, to assist and educate people of low and modest income to become homeowners and to expand the inventory of permanently affordable, environmentally responsible homes.

This was an idea that we could get behind and wanted to support.  We’d been looking for ways to give back to our community through our company and this seemed like the right fit.  That it was in our neighborhood made it all the more appealing.  And they are going to be LEED Platinum certified homes which is amazing considering that the homes are in the range of $115k to $135k.

We staged one model home for the 12 house development.  It was considered the most challenging due to it’s floor plan.  It is a one level home with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.  The small living room and open kitchen made  it very challenging for potential buyers to imagine how to set up the space without professional staging.

Here are some before and after photos.  The first two are taken from the front door looking left and right.

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Juneberry Project - Oregon City - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Juneberry Project - Oregon City - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Juneberry Project - Oregon City - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Juneberry Project - Oregon City - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Juneberry Project - Oregon City - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Because of the price point of the house, and the target buyers, we used furnishings and decor that were affordable and easy to purchase so people can see that they can live this way if they choose to.  Just because a home has a low sales price doesn’t mean that it can’t look beautiful.

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This vacant home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.

Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

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Staged Portland Condo in the Heart of the City

Condo units are generally more challenging to stage than houses because of the logistics of elevators, restricted hours, loading zones, and long hallways.  Our Portland home staging company has staged several units in the Eliot Tower and the experience at this building has been very positive for us and our clients.

Most recently we staged a condo unit on the 2nd floor which has a great feeling as it is just above street level and you feel like you are right in the city.  This unit had previously been used as an office, and now that the owners wanted to sell it, staging it as a home was key.

We used a mix of furnishings and decor that would cater to the target buyer looking for upscale living in a downtown Portland high end building.  Now it's just waiting for the perfect buyer!

Here are some before and after pictures.

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Portland Condo - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Portland Condo - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Portland Condo - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Portland Condo - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Portland Condo - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Before Home Staging - Synergy Staging       Portland Condo- Home Staging by Synergy Staging

Here is a larger image of the Living Room:

Portland Condo - Home Staging by Synergy Staging

 

For more information about this property please contact
Leslie Hammond of Windermere at 503-497-5386

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This vacant condo was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.

Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster.

 

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

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Staging a Model Home in Milwaukie Oregon

The summer has been flying by and we've been busier than ever.  It's time to get back to our home staging blog and catch up.

Our Portland home staging company recently staged a beautiful model home in Milwaukie, Oregon.  This is a bank owned property and they understand the value that home staging brings to a vacant home, especially one that serves as a model for the development.

The challenge in this home was the very large entry and dining area.  As you can see there is wood flooring and then carpet in the living room area.  When it was vacant potential buyers felt that the living room was too small and they were overwhelmed by the large open space.

Synergy Staging - Before Home Staging       Home Staging a Model Unit in Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging - Before Home Staging       Home Staging a Model Unit in Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging - Before Home Staging       Home Staging a Model Unit in Milwaukie Oregon

Synergy Staging - Before Home Staging       Home Staging a Model Unit in Milwaukie Oregon

Once the property was staged, the living room felt spacious and the other areas were inviting and had a clear purpose.  One buyer who saw the home before it was staged commented that they had removed it from their list.  They thought they would look at it one more time now that it was staged and they are considering an offer.  Same buyers, same home, new positive outlook based on the results of professional home staging.

For more information about this property please contact
Michael Anders of NW Realty Group
at 503-260-4484

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This vacant model unit was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

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Staging Around Specific Window Treatments

There are many times when stagers must work with specific items in a home .  Our Portland staging company recently staged this Canby home that was custom built in the 90's. This lovely home had been freshly painted, had a great layout and was vacant. Almost vacant...

The owners of this home requested that the custom window treatments stay.  As a result we had to ensure that the furnishings in the home tied in well with the treatments yet modernized and minimized them as much as possible.

Here are some pictures of the home after it was staged.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Have you done projects where you had to work with items of a specific taste?

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This vacant single family  home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

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Is a Dining Room or Bedroom More Desirable? We Found Out!

We recently had the opportunity to stage an occupied house in Portland two times and thought we'd pass along some interesting things we experienced.

Last year we were asked to do a consult and staging at a small occupied home in NE Portland.  Here are a few before and after pics from the first staging.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Bedroom used as a dining room

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Second bedroom used an office

The main level had a living room, two bedrooms (see above), a bathroom and kitchen.  The lower level was a fully remodled daylight basement that was the master suite and bath.  The problem was there was no actual dining room, only a tiny nook in the kitchen. 

After much debate, the owners decided that keeping the dining room (in the bedroom) as they had it was how it would be staged.  While this layout worked great for the couple who lived there, the floorplan was a challenge for potential buyers.  We added a lounger in the office since the owner worked at home and needed to keep the office space as is.

The home was on the market for five months with no offers.  Granted, the asking price was too high according to the owners, but nonetheless, not even an offer.

They finally decided to stay put and take the home off the market.  Fade to black...

... or so we thought.

Three months later we got a call from the owners saying they'd bought a house in Lake Oswego and needed to sell as quickly as possible.  This time it was decided to stage what had been the dining room as a bedroom.  And the asking price was more realistic with the current market.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

A full price offer was accepted in one week!

So was it the bedroom or the price?  We'll never know for certain - but it was an interesting experience being able to stage the same space twice with vastly different end results.

 

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This occupied home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

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Staging a New Home on the Ultimate Open House Tour

Every year in Portland the Home Builders Association presents the Ultimate Open House New Home Tour designed for homeowners interested in new construction.  This year our staging company staged one of the featured homes on the tour.  A small percentage of homes on the tour are staged, but more were staged this year than in previous years which is an encouraging sign.  Making a new home look it's absolute best by helping buyers visualize how they can live in the home helps a property stand apart from others on the market.

Here was the challenge -- the home looked like this ten days before we were scheduled to stage it!  No flooring, counters, lights, tile, and the list went on!

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Everything had to go exactly as scheduled in order to pull it off.  We had confidence in our clients as they are wonderful builders and guaranteed it would be ready.  The cleaners were coming in on Thursday and Friday.  We were given access on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and the Open House Tour started Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.  There was no room for error! 

Here are some before and after photos:

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Needless to say, everything went perfect and was finished on time.  Now we are hoping for a quick sale! For additional before and after photos please see our Staging Portfolio.

Here are a few more larger photos of the finished staging:

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

 

For more information about this property please contact
Candy Wright of Meadows Group, Inc. Realtors
at 503-313-2794

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This new single family home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

content may not be reproduced without permission

Staging Works for Properties at All Price Points

Some Realtors and Sellers view home staging as a luxury item for high end properties.  This couldn't be farther from the truth.  Staging a property in this market is proving to be successful time and time again.  Home stagers can work with the budgets of most owners and enhance a property so it shows its absolute best.  Whether you have a property in the 5 figures or 7 figures, home staging is an investment that will help your home sell quicker and for more money.

This condo unit in the Sunset Meadows neighborhood of Portland that Synergy Staging recently staged is listed at only $139,000.00.  Staging this unit helped it stand out from the rest of the competition in the same complex.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

For more information about this property please contact
Diana Hinrichs of Oregon First at 503-475-7892

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This condo unit was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

content may not be reproduced without permission

Do These Photos Make Anyone Want To See This House?

These are actual photos from the RMLS! 

Real RMLS Photo       Real RMLS Photo

It's hard to believe, but these are two examples of how some properties in Oregon are being marketed.  What about these pictures would make anyone want to come see these houses in person?  It's hard to believe that a Realtor would put these blurry, unappealing photos on line when they are supposed to be experts at marketing a property.  I don't even know what the picture on the right is supposed to be!

A home is typically seen as our most expensive asset, yet time and time again when sellers put their houses on the market, we see poor quality photos of empty rooms or cluttered spaces.  What benefit is it to anyone if the home doesn't look its best?

When selling a car we get it detailed and make it shine, but then don't treat our homes the same way?  When grocery shopping we look for the most appealing fruits and vegetables in the produce section, yet expect home buyers to have lower expectations?

Investing in professional staging guarantees your house will look its best and give it the competitive edge necessary in the real estate market.

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Below are photos of a single family home in Portland, Oregon that Synergy Staging recently staged.  The Master Bedroom particularly stood out to us when it was empty due to its cold feel and lack of any emotional connection.  White walls never help a space feel warm and inviting, and the dark brown curtains became the focus of the room with nothing else to draw the eye.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

 

Fortunately this seller understood the importance of having a home show its very best before putting it on the market.  By staging the room with warm colors and helping buyers envision how they could live in the space, the room came to life and in turn, increased the value of the property.  Listing the property after it was staged, with professional photos, resulted in a positive outcome.  The home had an accepted offer only two weeks after it was listed.

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This home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

content may not be reproduced without permission

Gorgeous Portland Home - Before & After Photos

It's been a busy month - both with home staging and other outside projects.  It's time to get back into the groove of blogging again.

Thought we'd start by sharing some photos of a house that we recently staged in the Forest Heights neighborhood of Portland, Oregon.  Synergy Staging was brought in to help this home sell quickly as it had been on the market vacant with no offers.  While we always recommend staging a home before it hits the market, it is never too late to make a home show it's absolute best.  The tri-level aspect of this home makes it a bit more challenging for potential buyers with the large amount of steps, so creating a feeling of luxury and sophistication was important. 

Here are some before and after photos:

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

Even in this challenging market, homes that are presented well, priced right, and professionally staged are selling quickly.  This year our staging has typically been in a home for less than one month before an offer is accepted.  Call a professional home stager in your area to get the results you are looking for!


For more information about this property please contact
Diana Hinrichs of Oregon First at 503-475-7892

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This home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

content may not be reproduced without permission

Small Spaces Need Home Staging to Help Buyers See the Potential

Every house that we stage has its own unique character and feel that inspires our staging design.  Home staging can help a property look its best in many ways. 

This single family home in Portland that Synergy Staging recently staged was a fairly large house, but many of the rooms were quite small.  Had this house been left vacant, potential buyers would have been left guessing how to arrange their furniture.  Worse yet, some would just give up and not even consider the house as an option.

The picture below left is the view from the front door and the picture on the right is the reverse angle.  A very narrow living room / dining room combination.  Not only is the space small, but the fireplace and mantle are very color specific.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

The same views after staging the home shows buyers how they can have the feel of two separate rooms in this small space.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon       Synergy Staging Portland Oregon

No matter what style, condition, price range, or location your home is in - a professional home stager will help your home show in the best possible way and appeal to the broadest range of potential buyers.

We'll be posting more pictures of this property very soon, including another look at some of Nik's original artwork.

 

For more information about this property please contact
Diana Hinrichs of Oregon First at 503-475-7892

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This home was professionally staged by Synergy Staging.  Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible and sell quickly!  Read what our clients have said about their experience with our company.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, read our Portland Home Staging Blog and visit us on Facebook.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster in 2010.

Synergy Staging Portland Oregon
creating inspired spaces

Synergy Staging on Twitter - StagerDavidSynergy Staging on Facebook

content may not be reproduced without permission