Are you preparing to sell your property and wondering - how can I make my home the best it can be? That question has never been more relevant given the current real estate market. Potential buyers are out there, but the inventory of homes on the market is at one of its highest points right now. Competition is fierce, and you want every possible edge in marketing your home.
You've seen all the staging and design programs on HGTV and perhaps think you can do it yourself. Keep in mind that it is difficult to capture all the staging techniques that are required to best prepare a home for sale from a television program. Home staging is most successful when done by an experienced professional who is familiar with your local market. Understanding the use of color, the importance of scale, and proper placement of furniture is key. A professional stager also has the ability to view your home as a potential buyer would without any emotional attachment to the property or furnishings.
Great Room 'staged' by Realtor
In the example above this large great room was 'staged' by the Realtor as they felt it was better than an empty space. A very small table in the large dining area and two stools at the kitchen pass through did not make buyers feel at home here and in fact makes the room feel worse than if it was empty. It really needed full staging as one of the major complaints was that buyers could not imagine what to do with the vast amount of space. Accenting the focal point which is a huge firepalce flanked by floor to ceiling windows and showing a great furniture layout is what this room needed.
This property sat on the market for two months with no activity before it was professionally staged.
Great Room professionally staged by Synergy Staging
By professionally staging the space the room comes alive and creates a sense of emotional impact that buyers are drawn to. An appropriately scaled dining room table now defines the space properly. The living room is now arranged as a space buyers can envision. Also, prior to staging, the fireplace was getting a thumbs down because of the unappealing brown paint tone and it was also overbearing in the space. Placing art the length of the fireplace makes the room feel grand and transforms an eyesore into a beautiful focal point.
Even though most homeowners wouldn't stage a house as the first photo shows, this example shows the dramatic difference proper staging can bring to a home. The investment in staging will pay off when the home is prepared well, priced right, and presented professionally. This home sold only weeks after it was staged.
This post is Part 1 in a series answering Why Hire a Professional Stager in Portland, Oregon?
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David - Wish there was a rating system I could use to rate this room -- it is amazing! Love Love LOVE what you did with the fireplace. So true - unfortunately there is "staging" that is done that doesn't represent professional staging at all. I'm going to post a link on my facebook page to this post - excellent!
Wow, your work is amazing and creates such an impact. Great job.
fantastic before and after as well as a great blog! I particularly love the photos going up the fireplace...
David - Looks great. I'm always hesitant about partial staging. Sometimes the rooms look so forlorn.
Hi David, Thanks for sharing this example. This is why we do not do "vingette" staging when asked. Your staging looks great!
Beautiful job, David! It's kind of funny that people need staging to help them envision what to do with a giant room as much as they need it for a small room. Too much room can be as big a problem as too little. You certainly made this one a winner!
This very title has become kind of a joke line amongst alot of agents - oh we'll be fine WE watch HGTV - sigh!
Margaret ~ Thanks for your nice feedback! Appreciate the link. A rating system would be fun. Could become a blog series!
Chrissie ~ Appreciate it!
Melissa ~ Since the fireplace color was so awkward, Nik painted original art for that space. It ended up creating a perfect balance for the room.
Shelley ~ It's the reason we do not do vignette staging. You just can't create a feel with partial staging.
Diana ~ Agreed!
Laurie ~ Both big and small rooms are challenges for buyers when they are empty. That's another reason why they should use a professional stager!
Malita ~ Exactly - big sigh...
Beautiful job David, and great blog.
First picture looks like someone needs to go back to HGTV school..better yet to David's school! :)
What a great post! There should be no doubt after this series why someone should hire a professional stager in Portland, Oregon!
David ~ it's really kind of sad to see the "realtor staging" that often pops up in online listing photos or at open houses. The cost of a professional stager's consultation is so reasonable that truly anyone can afford it. Enjoyed these photos before, nice job on this project!
You guys rock! Very nice job. Those two little stools looked pathetic by themselves. If you want professional results, hire a pro!
The entire room looks fantastic. The four pictures on the fireplace are great and really draw your eye up and show you the height of the room. The two area rugs also make the space feel more intimate. Nicely done.
Ana ~ Thanks. We won't be teaching class anytime soon though! =) There seems to be a plethora of those on the market...
Sharon ~ If this even helps one more person decide to stage, then mission accomplished!
Maureen ~ Always nice to see you here! A consultation is defintely the way to go if you have a small budget or want to do it yourself
Pangaea ~ So do you! Wasn't the space just sad before?
Kate ~ Thanks for your nice feedback.