Greenville Home Staging

You guys know that I don't miss a thing.  Well, today I got a home staging alert written by a freelance writer by the name of Jesse.  He has written an article about home staging and how he believes that we work.  Here is an excerpt....

Professional Stagers can be hired to organize your home for photography purposes.  One option is shuffle furniture from room to room, as the photos are being taken, in order to create the appearance of 'fullness'.  This one is easier on the wallet than other options they may give you. I have heard tales of Home Stagers who have requested that a HomeSeller actually purchase more furniture to fill up the emptier spaces in the house. I cannot find the sense in this.  I am a firm believer that with a little research and a little work, any HomeSeller can fix up their home for minimal costs.

more of the article can be found here Home Staging Article

This is my comment to Jesse:

Comments: Jesse,
Being a professional stager, one thing that you mentioned that I wouldn't do is move furniture around just for the sake of listing photos.  I can't say I know of another stager that would.  Part of our job is to make sure the listing photos are appealing, you are correct.  The second part is to educate our client on how to keep the property looking its best so that when the buyer gets there they don't feel duped. 

It is the equivalent of a blind date...you are talking to this person, you've exchanged photos

and you pick up the date and go WHOOOA!!

You don't look anything like your Picture!  That is not staging! 

Jesse wrote a part 2 - which can be found here

Part 2

I was raised by Stephen Toliver, SR.  My dad, to me, was the strongest man on earth!  He was taller than the jolly green giant, actually he is 6 ft 4.    I am a daddy's girl in case you guys haven't figured it out!  Well I take my dad's lessons  strongly! One of the main ones that I tell my son, Brandon is that if you can go out on Saturday, you will be in church on Sunday.

Another thing my dad taught me that I use in my business is, no matter what....Give a firm handshake!!  If someone gives you a loose handshake, you still give a firm handshake.

My dad would be able to tell me if I should keep dating a guy based on his handshake.  One of my fellas once told me your dad almost broke my hand!  My dad thought a lot of this particular fella.  My father told me, that guy knows that you ALWAYS GIVE A FIRM SHAKE! 

Well tonight, my doorbell rings and it is a local politician.  This guy introduces himself (in his best Michael Jackson, soft spoken voice).  I extend my hand to receive a loose handshake.  At this point, I'm thinking, to represent me, I need a firm handshake!    Some lessons die hard!!   So my reply was....the one I heard often as a telemarketer, "I will have to check with my husband!"  He then told me that he would return on Saturday.    

I guess, I'm just thinking are you a firm shaker or not?

Here's a link about the types of handshakes and what they mean!    

hand shakes 101

*********UPDATE*****************************

My dad passed away last night on December 13th, please remember my family in your prayers, especially me- Im a cry baby and a daddy's girl through and through!  Dad, I already miss you!

A recent article in Smart Money asked the following questions to potential business owners.  They asked the questions- I will submit my own answers to help the new stagers.

Questions for new stagers?

A recent article in Smart Money asked the following questions to potential business owners.  They asked the questions- I will submit my own answers to help the new stagers

Questions for new stagers?

1.   Are You Starting a Business by Choice, or Necessity?

If it is a necessity then you may want to rethink your choice.  One thing Tanya and I found out is it takes money to make money.

2.    Do You Like Risk?

Staging isn't a risky business per say but one thing Tanya and I found out was that when dealing with builders they may not always agree with your vision!  My pastor says when there is more than 1 vision that is called DIVISION!

3.   Do You Have the Patience of Job?

I thought when I became a stager that it didn't require much patience.  When dealing with consumers it always requires patience.  Sometimes you have to patiently wait for your business to TAKE OFF! And pursue the take off with diligence.

4.   Are You More Flexible Than a Yoga Instructor?

We were asked do we work banker's hours or Realtor hours?  Side note... Banker's hours are 9-6 Mon thru Fri Realtor's hours are ON CALL.  We work Realtor's hours.  We have stayed at a vacant until 2 am only to return the next day at 10 AM, so that we could leave the property by 6 PM.

5.   Do Your Organizational Skills Put Martha Stewart to Shame?

Ok, well mine aren't on the Level of Martha's but luckily for me- I have a partner that does~!  Thanks to Tanya!

6.   Are You Prepared to Tap Your Inner Workaholic?

Refer back to question 4.

I hope this will help someone.  Oftentimes, when Tanya and I tell people what we do, their eyes light up and they say, Wow, that sounds like FUN!  Some-days it is and then there are those .......

Maybe some of my fellow stagers will chime in!

Last night while watching TV, I observed a show "Please Buy My house"   The premise of the show is to follow 3 homeowners and the things they did to close the sale.

Homeowner A -- was an occupied home inhabited by a separated single mom with a son heading to college.  She needed to sell so that she could pay for her youngest son's college.  The home had been reduced by $150,000. 

Homeowner B-- was a retired couple.  The house was too large and they needed to downsize.  The couple was experiencing financial difficulties and had already moved to a smaller home. The home was really dated and had already been reduced by $50,000. 

Homeowner C--was a FSBO.  The family had relocated to SC from FL.   

The show follows the sellers to see how they get the property SOLD!

Home owner A- needed to sell in a week, this homeowner went on a local AM radio show about Real Estate to promote their Open House.  Homemade Open House signs were strategically placed throughout the town.  On the day of the Open House, the homeowner's children were in the front yard performing cheers, pleading with passing cars to stop while waving signs of the Open House. 

The homeowners were in a crunch, they had to sell soon or start dipping into their children's college fund to cover bills. 

Homeowner B- These homeowners utilized a Realtor and an Interior decorator.  The Interior decorator was the grandson of the homeowners.  He staged only one room, the family room.  He updated the lighting, painted the lavender walls a neutral color (builder beige).  He placed furniture and accessories in the family room.  He was able to give the room a warm and inviting appeal.

The Interior Decorator was offering his services to the buyer.  In fact, he was present at the Open House and offered several suggestions to the potential buyers.  He was able to give the buyers a VISION of what the completed home would look like!  

Homeowner C- utilized a Feng Shui Expert.  The expert helped the seller with furniture placement and the removal of clutter.  As a stager, the Feng Shui expert recommended something I wouldn't have recommended.  The guest bathroom was a light blue color, the Feng Shui Expert recommended that the color be painted a RED color. 

Homeowner A&B received offers at the Open House.

Homeowner C was not able to sell; they are currently renting their property, while they continue to pay both mortgages.

The bottom line is staging works.  Any home to be listed for sale, whether occupied or vacant, can benefit from home staging. 

If you are listing a home for sale in the Upstate or have a home that has been on the market for a while with no interest, we would love to discuss what the First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign of the Upstate  team can do for you.

Call today to schedule an appointment at 864.275.2112!