Be careful what you wish for. Isn't that a popular saying in these post-'Secret' days? I like staging, and I want to be busy. Two vacants in one day is unusual for me, despite my 5 years in, but man, it was fun! The details... I was constantly afraid I was going insane!
Two towns, two different price ranges, two different styles of home, two VERY different REAs, but same company, same expectation, same need to deliver in time for pictures the same day. (i.e. no room to go back and tweak, which I dearly love, and rely on, to be honest.)
Here's the results:-
Outside
Living Room
Dining Room
Family Room
Breakfast Nook
In the kitchen above, I did replace the table witha glass top and a big red glass bowl of grapes. Looks much better. Will have to take a photo of it soon.
Here's the interesting thing though - the house on the left came out at $409K. The house on the left was over $1 million and is now just under. The one on the right was photographed by me. One the left, it's Dan Harris of Pocono Marketing - the best professional real estate photographer I've ever come across. As result, the little house looks way superior! Not sure it looks more expensive, but it sure looks better staged!!! Plus, my Cannon is starting to produce these weird circles in some shots. I'd switch to the Kodak v705 if I thought it was the camera's fault; I'm worrying it's the photographer!
I'm thinking I will go back in to the little house and change up the bedding (and the lighting) in the Master.
Otherwise this week, I staged a 3rd home (an owner-occupied), de-staged a 4th and furnished a 5th divorcing-parent home, top to bottom with 5 bedrooms of stuff (just ahead of the Child Services' inspectors). I'd love it to always be this busy --- but could I keep up? 49 will soon be in my rear mirror....
Juliet Johnson Staging home stages the luxury real estate market of North Central NJ. For more information, please click here - www.julietjohnsonstaging.com
Post a comment
Temporarily disabled — coming soon!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
Staging rocks! It makes all the difference. Great examples!!
Hi Juliet,
I think you did a wonderful job. I am pretty sure you are good at what you do and enjoying your work..Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
Anthony
Naturally, I agree, Nancy. Even though it's less profitable, I think there's more challenge with a little house. You have to show a place for everthing, and that a luxuriant fun is possible. Bigger houses already have the sense of abundance just from the room sizes.
Does that mean that you will be fabulous 50? i actually like the little house better than the 1m. It is much more cozy. You did a great job. I have also done a Twosday.. almost a Threesday one time. That is too much... and 49 is in my rear view mirror ;)
a 3-sday??? Oh heavens, you are a living miracle!!!! I can't even imagine. My feet were killing me, and I kept the rental company crew with me until the very end. Just another reason to lose 25 pounds and get fit!!! Why doesn't this job just do it for me?
And the best news of all -- not one, not 2 but FOUR!!!!! 4 offers today, the opening weekend, for the house on the left!
Wahoo!
Juliet - I think you really did a great job on each of these houses. Just the right feel, appropriate choices for the size and style of each one.
It is a work out isn't it? I often come home covered in bruises from all the lifting and pushing the furniture around! Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, it can be brutal! You know, Rhonda, I sat with 2 other stagers this week at a lunch - both of them had beautifully manicured nails. (Whah????) My God, you have nails, I blurted out, thinking - man, do you ever work?
OK, who am I going to offend with that comment? <chuckling> both ladies had gels, but even so, they would have long since have ripped off my hands in no time!
Juliet - You go girl! The homes look great. I love the red in the living rooms.
I have had to stage two vacant houses in one week TWICE. Ugh. I loved being busy and helping my clients, it's my family that doesn't want to be around me for a few days during the craziness!
you, my dear, are a pro -- when I grow up, I want to be just like you! Next week . . . maybe!
I've done those insane weeks and don't really love them... not even a little bit. I'm so tired by the end of the week I have a hard time keeping at all focused. We did a 10 day stint once of 8am - 1am days.... not again... not if I can help it!
You did a great job though!
Very nice job with the staging. Excellent job! I'd recommend you.
Great work Juliet! It is a bit crazy to be working so much yet, it is a good thing and hopefully will continue to be busy for everyone. Everything looked really nice! Regards-Kathleen
It's exhausting, no question. Hugely satisfying. Still wondering if anyone is really making a living at this business though?
Janice - my teenager prefers me to feed her as opposed to other people's greed! Families, man!!
Thanks, Kathleen and George. Isn't it amazing how much difference "real" photos make?
MM - I remember you blogging about that 10 day stint. I can't imagine how you did it. I can only hope you lost a few pounds!!!!
Karen - a pro on a good day... the rest of the time I feel like a schlepper!!
Juliet - What? We can make money staging??? HA! :)
Quite.
How the heck did you do 2 houses in one day?? I spend too much time primping and placing and hanging curtains I seriously don't think I could accomplish this feat. Great job tho. I have to agree with you....manicured nails HUH! Never my non manicured nails match my miserable hair lately, ha, ha...but I LOVE WHAT I DO
Phyllis Pafumi