RE:VIEWS from RE:STYLE

It's always amazing to see what can be done on a limited budget by a professional stager. No matter what the price point of the house, every property benefits by being staged.

Excellent work in creating a cozy, inviting feeling to this little home.

Wow Kathi - It looks fantastic!!!!  You did a great job making it look fresh and up to date. The pictures are also fantastic - they are all taken from the same angle so you can really tell exactly what has been done.  I always have a problem with this. 

Sometimes when I am doing a house with an older kitchen I will replace the kitchen cabinet hardware with something more current it really updates the look.  You can find hardware in bulk packages in Walmart. If the sink or any appliances are stainless I usually try to go with that. In a small size kitchen you can usually get the job done for under $50. The screw holes are usually standard so it is also a pretty easy job that only takes a few minutes.

I hope the home sells quickly - it really looks great.

I agree wholeheartedly!  Tell Tonya "well done"!

No matter what price range, staging will always make such a difference.  Great job!

Michelle:

Thanks! I agree, and every property deserves to be staged!

Maureen:

Thanks! If you look at my blog about our Vacant House Staging Process, you'll see that we print out our "before" photos and bring them to the house so that when we take our "after" shots, they match! This does take some thought, as you need to have an idea of how the "after" will look so you know what angle to take for the "before"--it's not perfect, but it helps! As far as changing out the handles, we always recommend this to our clients. Because of the time factor (and what we have usually agreed to for the staging investment), we don't always get the opportunity to execute this! I'm really trying not to be a non-profit!!!

Marianne:

Thanks so much--will do!

Sharon:

Yes! I have actually staged more houses under $100,000 than I have over $1 million (yeah, those million dollar houses are now going for a hundred grand--well, sadly, it seems like that, almost, here in Michigan :>[

Great work!  I just did an owner occupied home last week and the listing price was only $93k.  The seller was soooo thankful that her agent provided my services and I could tell my time with her will make a HUGE difference (read: better) in how the home will show and will make the entire experience better for everyone involved. I even sent a message to the agent congratulating him on electing to provde Staging for a lower priced home because I know it cuts into his profit but will be well worth it.

Hi - it really looks great!  I wish more sellers would take the advice and stage their homes.  They think the cost of staging is expensive - but then they don't count the cost of holding their home when it doesn't sell for months.

Debbie Fiskum, Perfect Transformations Home Staging, Denver, CO

www.ptstaging.com

Great transformation Kathi!  The furniture certainly made it feel larger and brought so much life to your photos.  Well done!

A beautiful transformation, Kathi...so warm and inviting!  A vacant home is cold and lifeless...no matter what the price point is.  EVERY home can benefit from staging...you proved it here!

Teresa

Kathi - It's surely a happy place now.  You did a wonderful job and should be extremely proud.  And... I agree, all homes can benefit from staging.

Congratulations.  Your post is being featured in the group; Staging Before & After Pictures.

Kathy

Tori Lynn:

You are lucky to have a Realtor who makes the investment! Was that the house where you had the cute after photo of the lving room? Yea for staging!

Debbie:

Yes, you're so right. And if Realtors would only help us by poiningt this out...

Michele:

Thanks! Tonya did a great job!

Teresa:

As you said, the proof is in the photos--thanks!

Kathy:

Whoo-hoo! Thanks so much for the feature! (And the nice comments!)

Very nice.  It is amazing how different a place can look and feel when it is beautifully done.  Great job.

It's nice to see a well-staged lower price category home. It is often difficult for buyers to imagine themselves in a smaller home. It shows that staging can work at every level - from modest to extravagant homes. Great work.

I think there is still a misconception that staging only benefits high priced homes. You help set the record straight with your before and after photos--good work!

I think a lot of homeowners and Realtors think that staging is very costly.  It is about constantly educating them otherwise.  I let people know every chance I get.  A lot of our jobs are occupied so it is a little easier to sell the price because there are not any expensive furniture rentals.

Chrissie:

Thanks! I do believe it's the feeling that is the most important, and why photos, no matter how great, never really do staging justice.

Jill:

Even I was surprised how much bigger it looked!

Linda:

Thanks so much!

Lisa:

Yes, staging occupied homes is less expensive. But all sellers need to realize that by selling their houses faster, they are recouping any money invested in staging. And we need to help this see this!

I love it , love it, love it.  So small but now so cozy and interesting.  I especially like the tiny table and chairs--perhaps a bit small to use but they make it look complete.  The kitchen and bedroom came to life under your guidance!  It now looks so inviting.

You did wonders with that bedroom, too.  The bed angle works with just the right size table beside it! Really shows the possibilities of this house!

Wow how great this transformation is..the house is ONLY $88K?? Now I have a question..what was the staging budget? I ask not to be noisy BUT I have a builder who needs his $299K house staged and he won't spend more than $300, is that nuts?

I wish he would JUST let me do what I need to do instead of looking for a bargain.

Phyllis Pafumi

Vicki:

Yes, it is amall, but we wanted to show at least somewhere a person could eat, besides a TV tray! Thanks for the compliments

Kathy:

I think the bedroom is the biggest transformation--thanks!

Phyllis:

That is nuts!  This was almost like moving in! For that amount ($300), I would do accessories only. But if the house could get you more (lucrative) business, you may want to think of it as a marketing expense. it's always a struggle to get paid what you're worth. I am trying not to be a non-profit!!!

We add a lot of value, and need to be paid for that!

Kathy the place looks fabulous!  I love staging small spaces.  You gave this some so much style!! 

Great presentation, showing how any home can benefit from setting the stage!

We must shop at the same place, I swear I have all but a few of your items shown in the LR.  Love the Bedroom.  What a big difference...great job!

I love what you did and what you used.  I have 2 previous investment rental properties coming up to stage in this same price range.  Staging works regardless of price!  You proved that here.

Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, President Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter

www.lakewyliehomestaging.com

Cathy and Mary:

Thanks so much!

Cindy:

I believe the furniture was purchased from Cort/Insatnt, sofa table and cube from Target, accessories from consignment shops and the art from Bombay Co. (sadly gone now)! Great stagers think, and shop, alike!

Joan:

Thanks! and happy staging to you!

Great job.   We need to get the word out that staging is for everone and in every price range