I know first hand why Calgary condos are so appealing. I’m a professional home stager who happily lives in a Sunnyside condo, a popular area outside the downtown core which includes Hillhurst and Kensington. If you are selling a condo in this sought-after area, it pays to understand your buyer and competition.
 

Popular with millennials, condos in this area appeal to an eclectic mix of new and experienced buyers. That’s because people are looking for a convenient, walkable, sociable lifestyle in a hip area with a neighbourhood feel outside the city center.
 

Lifestyle is key. And it’s one of the reasons that I love the Hillhurst, Sunnyside and Kensington area.
 

Ezra on Riley Park is a new condo development located closest to me and is currently accepting registration to express interest. The Bucci Ven development behind me in Kensington quickly sold out.
 

If you’re an investor preparing to sell your property in one of these neighbourhoods, it’s important to understand what the potential buyers are looking for and how they want to feel in the space. I’ve written about this ideal lifestyle factor before.
 

Staging makes it easy for the potential buyers to get a real life feel for whether they can see themselves living in the space. Let’s face it. There’s a reason why new developments market show homes/units – and if that’s your competition, you best be prepared. Buyers decide quickly.
 

If you are planning to sell your furnished or vacant Calgary condo, contact me (Jen at Set Your Stage) to find out the benefits of my condo staging services and neighbourhood-specific expertise. Schedule your free personalized Home Staging Assessment today.
 

 
I admit it. Bedrooms are one of my favourite rooms to stage in a property for sale. So I thought I would share some of my “after staging” bedroom photos. What do they have in common? A quote that I found on Pinterest one day that guides my life and work: “Train your mind to see the good in everything”.
 

When potential buyers walk into a house or condo for sale, you want them to feel, see, and remember the “good stuff” about the space. As a professional home stager, it’s my job to understand how to accomplish that and work my magic to both distract and entice toward that goal.
 

Let’s say you walk into an empty bedroom. You might feel emotionless. You might see an eyesore that seems like it could be problematic. You might remember – nothing special, perhaps the problems. When a potential buyer has that response, a seller does not benefit.
 

Instead, imagine a potential buyer walks into this bedroom staged by Set Your Stage.
 

In this Tuxedo master, she might feel relaxed, sophisticated, and sexy. She might see the perfect spot for a weekend morning coffee looking out to nature. She might remember the room as a perfect spot for relaxation, retreat, and renewal. She sees herself happily spending time in that space. In fact, she looks forward to it.
 

As a seller, you can see how this can make a difference to your ability to sell quickly, and at a higher price.
 

Now you try. What do you feel, see and imagine remembering when you look at this favourite bedroom staging “after” photo in Edgemont?
 

To see more of my favourite bedroom staging projects, check out the Set Your Stage “Bedrooms After Staging” board on Pinterest.
 

It’s cold, dark, and blustery and potential buyers won’t be paying attention to the outside of my home. They just want to get inside as quick as possible. In case this is what you’re thinking, I’m here to tell you that home sellers cannot afford to dismiss curb appeal in winter. Here’s why.
 

As much as potential home buyers might be in a rush to get indoors to view your property for sale when they arrive, you can rest assured that they have already spent time looking at the curb appeal: online and in person.
 

Maybe they drove by and sat in their warm vehicle drinking a cup of coffee while checking out your listing and deciding whether it was worth scheduling a viewing.
 

Before that, they probably sat in their own cozy living room with a laptop looking through potential property listing photos with their partner, family, or trusted friend.
 

And even before that, they might have used their phone to receive the listing at work from their realtor who sent a link to the photos of new properties listed that day.
 

At each step of the way, there’s an opportunity to fail at making a positive first impression of your property. Your virtual image (more than words) is the property’s first impression – and there may be no second chance. Make sure the right potential buyer actually arrives at your door for an appointment to look inside.
 

Here are some tips for curb appeal in winter to consider for both in-person and online appeal:

• Clean, tidy and well-kept are the only options – even in winter
• Approach your property from every angle a potential buyer would; notice what distracts and attracts the eye
• Remove dead plants, paint your front door, replace old lighting – create a feeling of freshness/life
• If there’s snow (or ice), it must go! Pay someone to remove it from your driveway, walkway and entrance if you must.
• Create a focal point at the front door with greenery, décor, doormat, and lighting
• Highlight key features; architecture, views, landscaping
• Leave your lights on at night and ensure that the house number is clearly visible
• Have professional photos taken that highlight the best angles and features

 
A professional home stager can help you with your curb appeal in winter and MORE. Start out with your best foot forward by creating an inviting feeling that suits the potential buyer’s ideal lifestyle and stand out from the competition.
 
Want to read more home staging tips? Follow Set Your Stage on Twitter.
 

So just how much does home staging cost in Calgary these days? It’s a common question that can sometimes come with an assumption that staging remains a bonus for people who can afford it. Depending on your particular property, it’s probably more affordable than you think.
 

People are still trying to figure out what to make of the real estate market in Calgary recently with the changing oil situation. Understandably, it adds a level of uncertainty and therefore stress to what can already be a stressful process of buying and selling property. Sellers want to get the most out of one of their largest investments, and buyers want to get the best for what they can afford.
 

I see professional staging as a way to help both the buyer and seller (and realtor) through this emotional process. That’s because showing your property in the best possible way that appeals to buyers usually gets your property sold faster and often for a higher price. It helps buyers immediately get a feel for what it would be like to live there (there’s no guess work) so they can imagine creating memories in what will become their new home. It helps realtors do their job more efficiently.
 

Now, back to the question of staging cost. It depends on the type of service you purchase.
 

If you have a vacant property that requires full furniture and accessory rental, it will cost you more. If you have a fully furnished property that is already in great shape and just needs some furniture moved in different layouts or a bit of colour added through accessories, it will cost you less. And, if you are a do it yourself kind of person who wants to receive a list of suggestions that you will follow through on yourself, it will cost you the least of all. There’s a lot of room for flexibility to customize the service to meet your individual needs and budget. You just have to ask.
 

Yes, staging costs are an up-front investment. But you get to choose what that looks like.
 

Why not find out how much your specific property staging will cost? Contact me, Jen Campbell at Set Your Stage, to schedule your no pressure, no obligation free personalized Home Staging Assessment in Calgary today. You’ve got nothing to lose and plenty to gain. Let me help reduce the stress of the selling process for you.