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.
David ~ This home had an odd layout and configuration, but you and Nik made sense of it by staging each area with a clearly-defined function. I'm sure if buyers had seen this house vacant, it would still be on the market --- good job!
I Love that black headboard with that shade of green ... and that chair ... is it rattan or is that the fabric?
I love it. I'm always amazed how a properly staged property really creates a different feeling. If that is staging on a budget, then that investor needs to be paying you a bonus. Congrats on your success.
Nice job of making sense out of the space where the "fireplace should be"! The home looks wonderful after staging!
Hi David, Great solutions to potentially distracting features of this home. I love the way you staged the fireplace niche. Looking forward to seeing your next post!
Looks like you took care of all those nooks and crannies. Love the use of green flowing throughout the home. I can't wait for #9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2 & 1!
Maureen ~ It's amazing how many floor plans we can see and they are always different! Staging really helped this one make sense for potential buyers. Thanks!
Liz ~ The chairs are rattan and work well in many styles of homes.
Michele ~ Thanks for your feedback! Professional staging makes all the difference in the feel and environment of a home. Glad you are such a supporter!
Kathy ~ That space confused buyers when it was empty, but showing them one approach with extra seating really helped minimize the questions they had. Appreciate your comments.
Diana ~ Thank you. Potentially distracting features is a major reason why professional stagers should be brought into a home before it goes on the market!
Sally ~ Stay tuned... =)
David,
Your Top !0 challenges this year, were easily enhanced by your staging talent. Congratulations on a successful year and best wishes as you embark on 2010's new challenges! I know you'll handle them successfully with your professional touches!
Michelle ~ And best wishes for a successful 2010 to you as well. Thanks for the nice words!
David ~ As always, your work speaks for itself. Some of those rooms really had weird layouts and you made them all look perfectly inviting. Another great photo set. I wish you all the best for 2010, Kate
Kate ~ Thank you. We wish you the best for 2010 as well!
Another great job! I'm in The Dalles - I'll bookmark your info!
Colleen ~ Thanks so much. Please get in touch when you have a listing that needs to be staged!
Great idea with the headboard David.. funny thing, we have the same exact headboard. It also works great vertical hanging above a fireplace...I just have to laugh when I see things in other stagers homes that I have as well, it just goes to show you what good taste we have!
Ryan ~ It's always fun to see your inventory in others stagers homes. Seems to happen quite often. We haven't been able to hang the headboard vertically yet, but will keep that in mind should the right project come up!