A shift in the Calgary rental market has led a number of Calgary real estate investors to consider whether it’s time to sell their rental property. If you decide that it IS time, get the most from your investment by thoroughly cleaning, repairing, and professionally staging the unit prior to listing.
 

I’ve heard from more Calgary real estate investors recently who have lost their renters. Low rental pricing, high vacancy rates, and job losses that are leading renters to move back home (either to other provinces or back in with their parents) are creating a bit of a lull.
 

When you depend on that monthly rental cheque to cover the carrying costs on your investment condo, it’s no wonder investors are questioning whether it’s time to sell their rental property and move on to something else. As an investor, you’re always weighing your risks.
 

I love working with investors with rental properties because they are committed to doing what needs to be done in order to gain the highest return on their investment. They want results and they want them fast.
 

And I know that staging a vacant rental property (to rent or sell) does just that. Here are just a few Calgary condos that we staged for investors who lost their renters and decided that it was time to sell:
 

Garrison Green: This stylish and affordable townhouse already had quality finishings. Staging added the life it needed to get it SOLD.
 

Sunset Ridge: Amazing mountain views were the highlight of this condo in Cochrane. Staging added the classy and peaceful feel that got it SOLD.
 

Victoria Park: This downtown condo got a beautiful facelift. Staging highlighted those fresh features and added a trendy yet classy vibe that appealed to potential buyers in the area and got it SOLD.
 

If you’re considering selling your Calgary rental property, I invite you to contact me to schedule your free, no pressure, personalized Home Staging Assessment today.
 

Still curious? Read more about 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 if it is indeed time to sell your rental property!
 

Sometimes the joy in my work comes from successfully finding a solution when I’m staging a difficult room. Of course “difficult” is subjective. But when you’re preparing your home to sell, you don’t want to leave anything to chance, allowing unresolved problems to stir in your potential buyer’s mind and become a deterrent. Instead, address the challenge head on in advance.
 

This Killarney Calgary property we staged offered multiple challenges. Most notably, it turned out that the built-in headboard niche in the master bedroom was too small to fit a queen bed AND two bedside tables.
 

Plus, I knew that the room was big enough to more appropriately fit a king size bed, which would also create a sense of added value to meet the desires of what potential buyers would be looking for in that neighbourhood.
 

So this became a perfect example of how important it is to think outside the box (or, in this case, niche) when staging a difficult room to sell.
 

After lots of creative brainstorming, it was the C table that solved this problem. It’s not what would come to mind first when you think of bedside tables, but it was the perfect solution for this difficult room. We chose chrome and glass tables to add some glamour to the bedroom which felt like a natural fit for the feeling we were trying to create.
 

To finish it off, we placed a large piece of artwork across from the bed to balance out the size of the headboard. Colours from the artwork wereechoed in our choices of side chair and accessories. It became a cohesive space that made sense and therefore flowed.
 

After, when the potential buyers walked in the master bedroom, they would notice how bright, spacious, and luxurious it was as they were drawn to the unique private balcony. They would not get distracted by trying to figure out what to do with that niche.
 

Difficult room challenge solved.
 

For more examples of the power and impact of staging, 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 stage your difficult room for potential buyers in your Calgary neighbourhood!
 

An accent chair with personality is one of my favourite living room staging furniture pieces. If you’re listing a vacant property, it’s a no-brainer that staging furniture rental should include a great accent chair. But renting an accent chair for staging can also be a great way to create impact in a furnished listing.
 

This colourful photo on Pinterest inspired me to write about the power of accent chairs in staging a property to sell. After all, people can get a little hesitant about using bold furniture. Here are three ways to use accent chairs to your advantage in living room staging:

Pattern, Colour, Personality:

Keeping walls and larger furniture pieces fairly neutral and unobtrusive works well in staging. But you don’t want your staged listing to be void of any personality. The accent chair is a perfect way to add a pop of colour, pattern, and personality which can be further reinforced through staging accessories.
 

Traffic Flow:

Accent chairs can help to visually separate a larger, open concept space by creating a barrier which also serves to direct traffic flow (and show more seating area without making the room feel small). It’s a great way to create an experience for the potential buyer as they walk through the space.

Focal point:

It may be unconscious, but when you see a chair facing in a certain direction, you are drawn to look in that direction. Maybe it’s curiosity. Use an accent chair to encourage potential buyers to notice the focal point you are highlighting if they were to sit in that chair.
 

An accent chair can be a great tool in living room staging and is a perfect choice for your next staging furniture rental. Give one a try.
 

For more inspiration and home staging tips, take a look at Set Your Stage on Pinterest.
 

Your house is officially ready for sale. It has been professionally staged to make the best possible first impression. Real estate photos have been taken. Now the viewings have started. How do you keep your listing presentable? Here are my tips for sellers who are living in a staged home.
 

Selling a house can be stressful. Professional staging can help it sell faster, but it can still feel too long for sellers who continue to live in their home while it’s listed. Especially for sellers who have kids, keeping your home like the stager intended can be quite a challenge.
 

So what do you do when your realtor calls for a short notice showing when you’re living in a staged home? Don’t panic. Be prepared.
 

I wrote about the value of having an open house box. Here are some more tips:
 

Kitchen: In the short term, consider changing your eating habits to avoid cooking anything that creates odours. Sure, you can try to eliminate the odours, but it’s simpler to avoid creating them in the first place, especially if you have an open concept space.
 

Bathroom: In your daily life, you love your own private bathroom. But for your own sanity in keeping the bathrooms clean, tidy and moisture free for viewings, consider sharing one main bathroom for use by everyone while your home is listed.
 

Bedroom: You’ve gotta make those beds, put away clothes, and clear off the night stands. Consider designating extra bedrooms “off limits” while your house is for sale. You can even encourage kids to “camp out” together in one room in the short-term to reduce the last minute scramble.
 

Bins, cabinets and containers: Make these your best friends while selling. You will have already de-cluttered, donated, and perhaps sent some items to storage in the process of staging to sell. But for those everyday items like toys, shoes, important papers, etc., have a system in place to quickly hide them away.
 

Living in a staged home for sale is not the most convenient lifestyle choice. That said, it is possible to ease the stress with preparation while you keep your listing show-worthy.
 

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