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Archive for March, 2016

Home Staging Transformations that Sell Properties

March 21, 2016 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

To see condo and home staging transformations is to prove the value of hiring a trained home staging professional the next time you prepare to sell. Take a look at these Set Your Stage before and after staging photos to understand what I mean.
 

The results of before and after home staging transformations speak for themselves. Just notice how you respond when you look at the photos. Based on your immediate gut reaction, do the spaces seem equal to you?
 

Does this room look familiar?

Before: Living room before staging.

See the difference home staging makes.

After: Staging the fireplace adds to the overall look of the space.

As a potential buyer, which property would you be more excited to see? Or more quickly decide it was the right fit for you?
 

As a seller, which one (before or after) would you prefer to be posting as your listing photos?
 

I’ve written before about how an empty room feels like a sad song. That’s not what buyers are buying.
 

In most cases, your potential buyer wants to find their next home. A place that meets their needs AND feels like a happy place to be.
 

Staging can add life to a space. It can make it feel more updated (which is a bonus for buyers who usually assume that updates will cost more than they do, resulting in hesitation or low ball offers). Staging can make a room seem larger. Staging can guide the potential buyer’s eyes toward a feature you want to highlight, and away from what you don’t.
 

Home staging transformations help buyers say YES to your listing!
 

Does this room look familiar?

Before: Dining room before staging.

See the difference home staging makes.

After: This large piece of art ties in the colours of the dining area.

For more examples of the power and impact staging can create in a space, take a look at the Set Your Stage Facebook albums featuring many before and after photos of the various homes and condos that we’ve successfully staged to sell. Let our experienced team create jaw dropping home staging transformations for your Calgary listing!
 


Is Staging Worth it Now in Calgary & Area?

March 15, 2016 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

A lot of people have been asking my opinion on the Calgary real estate market lately. Understandably, some sellers are feeling a bit nervous in this current buyers’ market. Speaking from my experience as a professional home stager, what I can tell you is that I’ve been busier with staging requests. That’s because sellers want to have a “one up” on their competition. Staging helps you to do exactly that.
 

See the difference home staging makes.

After: We used art with orange hues to compliment the blues and cream colours in this dining space.

I heard and felt the worry in the voice of a woman who recently contacted me for a staging quote. Preparing to sell, she was worried that it would take a long time to sell her house in this Calgary market. I understand worry. I’m a home owner too.
 

She wanted to know, is staging worth it?
 

What I told her was this: Owners of one of this recently staged vacant condos had two offers and our clients accepted the one that was OVER the list price. Plus, a house that we did a staging consultation for sold in 2 days after staging. These recent examples are not unique.
 

So just because it’s a buyers’ market, it doesn’t mean that properties aren’t selling.
 

See the difference home staging makes.

After: Simple accessories showcase a functional kitchen.

The trick here is that you can’t really know whether staging is worth it, can you? I’m a big believer in the value of staging and have results to back it up. But there are no guarantees. There is some element of risk. After all, what’s the test?
 

You could take the risk of listing your home for sale without staging and see how it goes.
 

Or, you could take the risk of making the up-front investment to stage your home before the listing photos are taken and before the first potential buyer walks through the door and see how that goes.
 

I won’t tell you that every property needs staging to sell. But if your goal is to make the best first impression in the shortest amount of time, which approach are you willing to bet on?
 


At some point, after doing your research, you have to trust your gut and do what feels right to you, despite the worry.

 

See the difference home staging makes.

After: This art piece helps makes this guest bedroom super stylish.

I staging worth it? If you’re in Calgary and I can be of assistance in helping you to make that decision (including insight on how much the right home staging service for your property will cost – this could be as low as $249), I invite you to contact me to schedule your free personalized Home Staging Assessment.
 

Or, start online with Set Your Stage’s Home Staging Quiz before you make the call. No pressure.
 

Hiring a professional home stager as part of your property’s marketing team can be a sound financial decision. Sparking a powerful first impression that speaks to your potential buyer’s ideal lifestyle may cost less than you think.
 

See the difference professional home staging makes!

After Staging: The red poppies in the grouping of three bring a pop of colour to this nightstand.

Curious? See more examples of my work and reach out when you’re ready. Ask how the Set Your Stage team can help you meet YOUR Calgary real estate goals in a buyer’s market!
 


Does this Staging Statistic include YOU?

March 09, 2016 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

75% of homeowners think their décor is current. Are you preparing to list your home for sale and include yourself in that staging statistic? When it comes to staging your property to sell, you might want a second opinion.
 

Does this room look familiar?

Before: Living room before home staging.

See the difference home staging makes.

After: This open concept living & dining room is the perfect space for entertaining or relaxing.

Why does this staging statistic from a Royal Lepage House Staging Poll matter? Because you want your ideal potential buyer to walk through the front door and quickly imagine themselves making it their own home. Don’t underestimate the power of your furniture and accessories to influence that process.
 

Quirky or dated furniture that is also too large and bulky for a space makes it difficult for buyers to feel “at home” and therefore narrows your listing’s appeal. Even if your furniture is suitable, the way it’s arranged in a room can have a significant impact.
 

We like what we like. It’s natural to get comfortable with our own “stuff” and how we use it in our rooms. After all, it makes sense to us and suits the way we live.
 

Understandably then, sometimes, it’s hard to see through a different lens. The buyers’ lens.
 

See the difference home staging makes.

After: We also tweaked the master bedroom.

So if you’re not sure how potential buyers might react, consult with a trained home staging professional. He/she can advise you on what changes will result in the highest return on your staging investment.
 

Whether your listing is furnished or vacant, renting staging furniture and accessories for the main rooms in the property can create an updated and seamless feel that will appeal to your prospective buyer.
 

See the difference home staging makes.

After: We also tweaked the dining room.

When you make it easier for buyers to imagine your listing as their new happy home, it makes it easier for them to quickly say, YES!
 

Don’t let this staging statistic stop you from creating your listing’s best first impression. Want more of our home staging tips? Stay in touch. Follow Set Your Stage on Twitter.
 


Home Staging Quiz

March 03, 2016 (posted by Jennifer Campbell, Home Staging Calgary)

Everybody loves a quiz. How about one for home staging? Answer 12 quick questions in this Set Your Stage home staging quiz to see if professional staging is right for your property when it’s time to sell.
 
Home Staging Quiz – Does My Property Need Home Staging?
 

There’s a lot to consider when you’re preparing your home before it’s officially ready to list for sale. The more attention you pay to the details in the preparation stage, the smoother the selling process should go. Sometimes a small and wise investment up front can reap big rewards in the end.
 

See the difference home staging makes.

Which photo best represents your property’s master bedroom?

But what do YOU need to pay attention to when you want to create the most positive first impression for potential buyers? There’s so much information available on the topic of home staging, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start in your specific situation.
 

This Set Your Stage home staging quiz not only asks you questions about your property, it also shares valuable information that you should consider when making decisions about one of your most important investments.
 

That includes factors like:
 

  • age and condition of the home
  • how your property compares to the direct competition
  • whether your property will be lived-in or vacant during active listing
  • how you are marketing your home
  • what type of buyer you will target
  • staging budget

 

When you make it easier for the potential buyer to imagine your listing as their new happy home, it becomes easier to sell faster and at a higher price. That’s the power of home staging and it’s certainly an investment worth considering.
 

See the difference home staging makes.

Which photo best represents your property’s living room?

Want more of our home staging tips? Stay in touch. Follow Set Your Stage on Twitter.