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.





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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What a wonderful opportunity! And I like that it was cost-effective. It's really beautiful!
You are so right David!! It does look absolutely beautiful! How wonderful you were able to give back not only to your community but in your own neighborhood. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!
Well, they certainly don't look low income now! Great thinking to put more affordable items in there so people might be able to duplicate.
What an amazing opportunity to give back, David.
The home turned out beautiful.
Congratulations. Your home staging is being featured in the group Staging Before and After Pictures.
Kathy
What a great job you did! I love your use of affordable furnishings. I would like to ask you...
Did you use any of your own accessories for this? (which could be older and unavailable) Or was everything new and readily available for some who purchases today?
Did you use rented furnishings? Or, again, did you use readily available new furniture? Where you able to get a deal on the furnishings in return for advertising the store's products?
I am asking this because I am bidding on a similar project. Thanks for your help?
Beautifully done, it amazing how staging makes a house feel like a home.
Good for you! The house looks fantastic.
Hi David -- you and Nik did such a nice job on this home...and what a bonus that it's in your neighborhood. I'm sure it will create lots of good will as well.
WOW....the place looks simply amazing and for such a great cause. FANTASTIC!!!!
David - What a great project. I can't believe the low prices of the homes. I always equate LEED homes with a costlier price. That was really thoughtful to use lower priced items that were in reach of the people looking at the homes. And yet, you didn't sacrifice presentation or style. Great job!
Beautiful work for a great cause - you can't beat that! I do a lot of work with affordable housing as well. Mine has been in designing all the common spaces for the residents. I just love it!
David: You didn't "design down", and look at the incredible results on a budget. Julie
David, I just checked out the link for Clackamus Trust. What a great project to get involved in, and smart move on your part (on many different levels). Great job. D.
David,
No matter what you touch it turns to gold! I'm in agreement with Sally even though you used lower cost furniture you certainly did not sacrifice presentation or style. Outstanding!
Very nice work!
Kathleen ~ Thanks. We thought it was a good opportunity to help new buyers see the potential of the homes.
Cathy ~ It's actually the closest staging we've ever done which was pretty great! Appreciate your comments.
Leanne ~ We think it's important to stage with furnishings that are appropriate for the price levels of each home we work in. By using affordable furnishings potential buyers can see how they can actually live.
Kathy ~ Thanks for your comments and the feature. It's always appreciated and your compliments mean alot to us.
Palma ~ All the decor and furnishings are from our inventory. The majority in this house from Ikea and Pier 1. Even if these specific items aren't avaiable, the idea they convey allows potential buyers to see how they could live in the space. Since these are from retail stores there is no discount in exchange for advertising. Putting that sort of trade together would take way more time than it is worth, especially since we donated our staging and one month of furnishing rental.
Diane ~ Thank you. Staging does make a house feel like a home which is why staged houses typically sell faster.
Kimberly ~ Thanks!
Maureen ~ This just seemed like the right project to do for lots of reasons. We are hoping that it helps people who wouldn't normally be able to buy houses become home owners.
Kathy ~ Thanks for your coments.
Sally ~ It is surprising that they are able to build LEED homes at such a discounted price. Just a few years ago the process made most houses out of reach for most buyers, and now affordable housing projects will have this distinction. We think it's great!
Annie ~ Thanks for your feedback. Designing common spaces seems like that would be fun and challenging.
Julia ~ We think it's important not to design down, while at the same time not going to upscale based on the price point. I'm glad you like how it turned out.
David ~ Appreciate your comments. It is a great project and we were glad to learn of the organization and get involved.
Linda ~ Thank you! I don't know about gold - but we'd be happy with turning to sold! =)
Joshua ~ Thanks!
You did a wonderful job, David. The rooms are gorgeous, and potential buyers won't have any problem seeing how their furnishings can fit into a home with a challenging layout. Kudos to you for giving back to the community, and demonstrating that staging can work for homes at any price point, not just those in the luxury market!
Jill ~ It is true that staging can work at every price level and we love to work with all types of homes. Thanks for your nice comments.
Great job! Staging low end properties adds richness which is PRICELESS! :)
Janice ~ Thanks for the feedback. Staging helps all properties look their best, and many times lower cost properties need more help than luxury homes.