Simply Staged Inc - Rockford Area Home Staging Blog: February 2009

Emotional Connection is crucial when selling both vacant and occupied homes.  The feeling you get when you walk through the house that says, "I'm home".  "I want this lifestyle." 

It is a driving force in many home sales.  It is the draw that recently brought back buyers to a vacant home staged by Simply Staged Inc. FOUR times before purchasing.  Do you believe a vacant home, they felt was slightly out of their price range, would have had that same draw?

Emotional connection has the power to change "must have" lists.  Let's face it, emotional connection can change all the things you thought you knew for sure when beginning your home search, such as location, style, color, amenities, condition, etc.  Emotional connection even has the power to extend what you thought you were willing to spend on a home.  

Less than 10% of the population can envision the possibilities or potential of a home.  Staging helps define space and offers potential buyers glimpses of how they may live in the home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it a great home for entertaining?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does it have a kitchen you see yourself preparing meals in?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you picture yourself enjoying a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you envision yourself preparing for the day in this home?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying a morning cup of coffee?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or perhaps a comfy chair to relax and catch up on your reading?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most professional stagers will not utilize the same emotional connections in an occupied home as a vacant home.  However, they are trained to highlight the home, occupied or vacant, in a way that showcases the property to its fullest potential making it easier for potential buyers to make that "emotional connection."

 

Simply Staged Inc. is a professional home staging and redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com

 

 

My only direction was, "Do whatever you want and help yourself to the extra accessories, pillows etc. in the guest room closet."  WOW!  Now, that is the start of a great day.

This town home located in Belvidere, IL has been on the market for sale by owner.  After not selling, the owners decided to list with an area Realtor.  Not only do they have the expertise of the Realtor in regards to marketing and selling the home, the Realtor brought in Simply Staged Inc. to stage the home. 

When Simply Staged is called in to stage an occupied home, most home sellers like to do their own packing.  However, some are unable for different reasons and hire the stagers to pack as well.  That was the case in this home.  Lots of packing & lots of fun!

Here are some before/after photos.  (We staged the home with the seller's belongings.  It was not necessary to bring in any additional accessories.)

Kitchen Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitchen After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master Bedroom Sitting Area Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master Bedroom Sitting Area After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entry Before (I know, the Dog is Adorable - I wanted to take him home!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entry After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entry Close Up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Room Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Room After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Before Shot of Family Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Room After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simply Staged Inc.is a professional home staging and redesign company serving Rockford and the Stateline area.  We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe and Winnebago.  Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com

Home staging addresses several areas when selling a home.  Of course there is decluttering, depersonalization, defining spaces, furniture placement, color selections, curb appeal, repairs, cleanliness.. . .the list goes on and on. 

It is impossible to be an expert in every aspect of your business.  More importantly, there is no need to be.  Just because I know how to paint, doesn't make me a "painting expert".    I submit that you're presented as an expert in your "field" when you refer to the experts in their "field". 

The majority of homes that are staged to sell do not undergo major renovations prior to selling.  Certainly, painting, updated lighting, cabinet pulls & faucets are switched out, flooring updates etc.  More common are the smaller cosmetic changes that can have great impact on the home and are easy on the budget.

During a recent consultation of a high end home the seller intentionally saved the master bathroom for the last room to view.  Why?  It was the only room in the home they had not updated.  And now it was time to sell.  Original plans called for a complete remodel.  Selling brought a change of plans. 

The new game plan was implementing cost effective updates without completely gutting the bathroom.  The project was more involved than hardware and counter/flooring changes.  There were so many questions, many of which I was able to share my recommendations.  But there were many I could not answer as I am certainly not an "expert" on bathroom design/layout.  When we talked about our options cost questions also arose.  This project was going beyond the "usual" staging.  It was time to call in reinforcements. 

I stepped up and announced, "I am not an expert at bathroom design, but I know someone who is."  In fact, I had two contacts to refer.  I assured her that I had complete confidence in my ability to stage her home, but would like to secure an "expert's" opinion on the bathroom.    

She seemed relieved.  I was not able to answer all her questions, but I was able to put her in touch with someone who could.  A true "expert" in that field.  And it wasn't going to cost us a dime. 

I made my calls as soon as I hit the car, and they were in touch with the seller within the hour.  The "painting expert" was there the next morning quoting out his projects.  She commented on how impressed she was with the response and connections as she had sought out help with the bathroom before without success. 

So, don't be afraid to admit you're not an "expert" in every area of your business.  Just be sure you know someone who is.  It will ensure you look like the "expert" too.