Synergy Staging - Portland Home Staging Blog

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 1
Single Family Home, Beaverton, OR

The investor who bought this home faced very stiff competition when they discovered there were two similar vacant houses on the same street.  This home had been vacant and languished on the market until it ultimately sold at auction.  This nice neighborhood was filled with homes that utilized the same type of construction and floorplans.  Understanding that professional staging would give the property an edge, Synergy Staging was brought in to make the house shine and stand out from the others in the neighborhood.

Staging the space in the entry welcomes the buyers immediately and sets the tone for the rest of the home.

The small living room felt larger once staged and was warmed up with lighting and warm colors.

This house didn't have a dining room, so creating an eating space in the kitchen helped buyers see how they could use the space.

The master bedroom was also moderately sized, but once staged with a queen size bed, the room felt larger and more spacious.
A staged room always feels bigger than a vacant room.

After the home was listed, an offer was accepted only 2 hours later!
The other two homes that were vacant on the same street and priced similarly remained unsold.
There is no doubt that professional staging will make your home stand apart from the competition.

 
We hope you have enjoyed our look back at 2009.  Please keep sharing your own staging stories and testimonials - they inspire and encourage all of us.  We look forward to new opportunites and continued growth in the home staging industry in 2010.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 2
Single Family Home, Tigard, OR

The owners of this lovely home wanted a quick sale and knew the importance of staging in this challenging real estate market.  They took the three most significant steps before listing a property.  1)  Preparation - the owners prepared their home beautifully including professional cleaning, windows washed, and all the finishing touches so it looked immaculate.  2)  Presentation - the property was professionally staged.  A staged home always looks better than a vacant home.  3)  Price - the property was priced appropriately for the neighborhood.

Here are some after shots of the results:

This home sold for full price after only 7 days on the market!  Follows the three tried and true steps for a quicker sale at top dollar.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 3
Single Family Home, Gresham, OR

This five bedroom home was purchased by an investor who understood the power of staging.  After a quick flip and remodel we were brought in to make the property inviting and allow buyers to feel at home.

This is the view from the front door.  Since buyers generally make up their mind about a property within seconds of entering, it is important that they be greeted with a pleasant look and not turned away by clutter or a vacant space.

Staging the dining room warmed up the room and toned down the maroon window treatments.

Gray carpet isn't the most neutral of colors, but once stage the room feels warmer and less stark.

This home was staged, listed, sold, and closed in less than three weeks.  The new owners moved in only 20 days after staging.  That is the power of staging!

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 4
Single Family Home, Portland, OR

This classic home with original woodwork and beautiful details needed to be staged to brighten it up and make it feel inviting.  We had to work with a minimal budget, so were only able to stage the living room, dining room, and kitchen.  In addition, there was no budget to do the painting that it needed, so we had to work with the dark wall colors that were in the living room.  As stagers we can make all the recommendations we want, but at the end of the day, an owners budget will dictate what they can do.  Here is an example of successfully working with specific and dark wall colors that may not appeal to most buyers.

To contrast the dark room, we staged with light furnishings throughout and used the rug to tie in the wall colors.  The staging brought some much needed life to the room and it became an inviting space that greeted buyers as they walked in the front door.

Another view of the living room.  We added a mirror above the fireplace to reflect more light throughout the room.

The dining room felt larger and much warmer once it was staged.  Another mirror was added here and light colored chairs with an open back  which also helped the dark space feel more open.

It was clear to the Realtor that without professional staging the house wasn't going to appeal to buyers and achieve the quick sale the owners needed.  A full price offer was accepted only 2 weeks after being listed.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 5
Single Family Home, Portland, OR

Homes that are newly constructed sometimes have an edge over other properties on the market.  In this case, the home had been vacant on the market for six months without a sale.  New listing agents were brought in and they knew that staging the property would give it the edge it needed.  This house was on a street with numerous other new homes.

This was one of the first properties we'd seen where both the moldings and walls were painted the exact same color.  This left the rooms with no interest and made them seem boring.  Once professionally staged, the rooms come to life and gives potential buyers a much better sense of how they could envision living in the home.

Here we found another dining room where the builders didn't consider the placement of a dining table and traffic flow.  We used a tall tree in the corner drawing the eye away from the chandelier.  If you'll notice, the light is not close to being centered above the table.  Had we centered the table under the chandelier the dining chairs would run into the barstools.  Not the wisest design!

The oversized master bedroom again fell victim to the big beige box syndrome.  While buyers are drawn to large master bedrooms and living areas, when they see them vacant they seem overwhelming and don't know how to configure them.  By warming up the room with some elegant furnishings and filling out the space, the bedroom became a retreat that buyers fell in love with.

Staging a bathroom that is already beautifully finished is a treat.
Using just the right touches adds life and a feeling of calm that buyers will long remember.

After sitting on the market vacant for over six months, the new lisiting agents called Synergy Staging to help them achieve a quick sale.  A full price offer was accepted less than one month after going on the market.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 6
Single Family Home, Portland, OR

Homes that are move-in ready, priced appropriately for the market and professionally staged are more likely to sell quicker and for top dollar.  Sometimes it's not possible to update a home and it must be sold as is.  These homes need to be professionally staged so buyers can see the potential of what the home has to offer.

This 60's classic had a unique floorplan, nice yard, and was in a great neighborhood.  The wallpaper and dated feel were challenges that home staging had to compensate for.

The living room had lot of light and adequate space.  Since it was wired for surround sound we installed TV prop above the fireplace and used colors and furniture that accented the warmth of the beautiful hardwoods.

This nook just off the kitchen could have been an afterthought.  With the dining room just a few feet away, having another eating area didn't make sense.  We made this a cozy sitting area to go with the fireplace.  Using a rug to cover much of the parquet flooring and dark furniture to draw the eye from the wallpaper helped buyers see the potential of this space.

Upstairs had some interesting architectural features, including this small space outside of the master bedroom.  The odd layout would have confused buyers if the property wasn't staged, but making a workspace here brought purpose and life to this space.

When we see master bedrooms on the second floor of these homes, we always recommend these rooms be staged.  Buyers cannot envision living in a room like this until they see it furnished.  It's hard to believe this is the same space once it is staged.

Because this property hadn't been recently updated we knew staging would be a major factor in selling the home quickly.  An offer was accepted less than one month after going on the market.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 7
Single Family Home, Portland, OR

This charming Cape Cod home in the beautiful Laurelhurst neighborhood needed just the right look to help it stand out from the others in the area.

The owners rug completely covered the hardwood floors and made the room feel smaller.  By removing the rug and using a dining set that picked up the warmth of the wall color the room instantly felt bigger and inviting.

We removed the owners rug and used the one from the dining room.  Arranging the room to feature the fireplace as well as having a sitting area by the front window brought a cozy feel to a room that seemed a bit cold before.

The upstairs master bedroom was large and uniquely laid out.  The chair was positioned toward the beautiful view and wam colors were used to make the room feel like a serene retreat.

The bedroom picture was shot from this nook that seemed too small to be useful.  With the addition of a small desk and chair the space became an added feature in the bedroom that buyers loved.

Staging the main rooms and master bedroom brought a sense of elegance and emotion that potential buyers were attracted to.  A full price offer was accepted only 29 days after going on the market.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we at Synergy Staging decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 8
Single Family Home, Lake Oswego, OR

Although this luxurious five bedroom home was actually staged at the end of 2008, it sold in 2009 which was a big success.  We have all come across some homes that have challenges which staging alone cannot overcome.  These properties require more patience on the part of the seller, agent, and stager.  This was one of those homes.

Although gorgeous inside, the entry to this home included both a steep driveway with a 90 degree turn at the top and bottom as well as 3 sets of stairs to enter the home.  From the garage there were two flights of stairs to get to the first floor.  This alone was an issue that created a challenge. 

Once buyers were inside, the staging created an atmosphere that helped them focus on the many positive features of the home.

The living room was staged to have maximum flow while not blocking the french doors (behind the loveseat).  The warm wall colors were accentuated by the artwork on the mantle and decor in the built-ins.

The master bathroom was already beautiful - so only a few simple touches were needed to make it pop.  Adding minimal decor, a rug that went the length of the counter, a large scale floral that matched the room tones, and a piece of art over the tub gave it the spa like feel we wanted.

The master bedroom was very spacious and called for a king size bed with large side tables.  While it was requested that we put the bed on the left wall facing the window, it's important to remember that staging is designed to show the room at it's best in photos and in person.  The buyers may opt to position the bed facing the windows, but when staging, it is generally best to put the bed on the largest wall in the room creating the most visual impact and space.  In addition the architecture of this ceiling gave the impression that the bed should be placed here.  Had the bed been in a different place it would have looked odd and one photo couldn't show both the the view and the bed.

Even though we only staged the master bedroom upstairs, this small bedroom on the first floor
was staged as well to create cohesion throughout the main level of the home.

When staging a kitchen it's important to use furnishings appropriate to the scale of the room.  This oversized island called for substantial bar stools that would fill the space.  We opted to leave the island clear of place settings not only to show the counter space, but there was an eating nook with place settings in addition to the dining room.

When word of this sale came we were thrilled.  Selling a home with architectural challenges and a million dollar price point can be daunting, but professional staging brings life to an otherwise vast empty space, and helps potential buyers see how they can live in the home.  Many times we'd like a quicker sale, but had this home not been staged it most likely would have lingered even longer on the market.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we've decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 9
2 Bedroom Apartment Model Unit, Milwaukie, OR

One important factor to consider when professionally staging a property is to know your target market.  In this case, we were staging the model unit of an apartment compex that is intended for 55+ which determined the look of the design.  The management company was looking to attract an older clientele, possibly those downsizing from single family homes.  They wanted it to look elegant and upscale so it appealed to those that could afford the premium rent of these nicely remodeled units.

The spacious living room in this apartment was essentially two rooms.  The two chairs are facing a large sliding glass window that has a beautiful view.  Having two scenarios in the room while drawing attention to the focal point (the view) made this room come alive.

How often have you come across lighting that is not centered or placed correctly for the furniture?  In this case we had to cheat the table to allow adequate flow for potential renters.  If the table had been centered under the light there would be no room to walk between the cabinets and the chairs.  Also, having a lower centerpiece kept the eye from going up to the ceiling and the tree and art draw the eye to the wall.

Since there were only two bedrooms it was important to show that a workspace/office could be included in the unit.  By placing the desk on the wall this room could function as both a guest room and office allowing potential renters to see the multiple options they had for the room.

The master bedroom is very large, but we wanted it to feel cozy, while remaining elegant.
The use of warm lighting and neutral colors throughout achieved the look that renters fell in love with.

We first staged a unit as a model and then it rented quickly.  We then moved the staging to another unit that had been remodeled.  After that unit rented it was moved again.  Ultimately all the two bedroom units rented and we've moved the staging to the three bedroom model for the units that they are currently remodeling. 

Staging works not only for sale - but for leasing as well!  This is something we learned time and time again in 2009.

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

The beginning of each new year always feels like an appropriate time to reflect on the previous 12 months while looking forward to what the next 12 may bring.  This year we've decided to assemble our list of Top 10 Home Staging Success Stories for 2009.  While we had a variety of projects, both home staging and design, we'll limit this list to those that sold quickly or had particular challenges to overcome.   In re-visiting these projects we hope to share some valuable staging tips that will help others as well.

NUMBER 10 - Single Family Home, Vancouver, WA

We don't often do work in Washington, but this project was for an investor who we'd staged some other houses for in the Portland area.  The budget on this project was very limited.  This was a flip and they were looking for a quick sale.  While they updated the kitchen and added pergo flooring, there remained some challenges with the property in layout and finish work that needed to be minimized. 

The purpose of Staging isn't to hide flaws, but rather to accentuate the positive aspects in a home so the negatives can have less of an impact on buyers.  Without staging, the negatives tend to attract far more attention than the positives.

You'll notice that the front entry has a double door.  Only one of them opened and the other was decorative.
Staging helped minimize this odd architectural feature.

There was an interesting inset that would seem logical for a fireplace, but there wasn't one.
We staged the space with a mirror and a console table that included two ottomans underneath for additional seating options.

The remodeled kitchen was a nice feature, but a refrigerator was not included.
There was a large corner of the room designed for the refrigerator that needed to be warmed up and make the kitchen feel more cozy.
By adding some artwork and greenery, the kitchen nook felt more inviting and completed the look.

The master bedroom had a lightswitch centered on the wall that controlled the light above the bed.  We prefer to use headboards when possible, and a solid headboard would have covered the switch.  By using the hanging headboard we were able to bring a nice look into the room while still allowing potential buyers to access the light switch.

The property quickly received an offer that fell through, but then ultimately sold in less than two months.  The staging warmed up the home, let buyers see how they could live in the property, and gives the impression that the sellers care about the property when compared to vacant homes on the market.

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