I went over to Flat Ben's today, planning to spend about four hours getting the "first impression" portion of the house to look a little bigger and brighter.
By the time I arrived, Ben had some of the things moved where I had asked him to move them. This is a small bungalow, and we're not trying to turn it into a McMansion, but we are trying to make it show bigger and brighter.
For me, staging is not decorating, and cozy sells for less. So I want to highlight the best features of the home, which in Ben's case are the newer windows. I don't want them all hidden behind plants and furniture. So after Ben moved the bookcases to frame the best feature, the window, I had him move the plants outside. I did all the small plants, but I couldn't lift these big guys.
This is what it looked like when I arrived, not when I left. I was very grateful for all the work he did removing all the books. I did lend him my furniture sliders, so hopefully that made it a little easier on him.
I felt badly to make him move his TV out of the room, but he has another one downstairs.It's hard to live in a house while someone's getting it ready for market, and even harder once it goes on market.
We still have a lot of work to do. I spent about four hours there today after Ben did most of the heavy work. He and I moved a huge piece out of the kitchen to make way for a bistro set. So far we are just "dispersing" things. I haven't brought anything in. I'm just taking the things he already has and moving them around to other places.
When I left, Ben said the bookcases looked like something in a furniture store and the place looked bigger. YAY!!! We're trying to be all done and on market by Sunday night.
I have a big surprise for everyone in the kitchen.
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Ardell... this is very, very interesting for me. I'm not going to comment much, unless I really think I can add value, but I want to make sure I have a front row seat.
I'm going to do a full wrap up in a link post on Rain City Guide when all's said and done. So I'm doing the progress reports as separate posts.
As far as I know, it will be the first time someone has done a listing start to finish on a blog, including the consumer's request for an agent and the agent's CMA and proposal.
Pushing the envelope. It's a little scary.
I can understand why it would be scary. But for folks like me, it's quite a lesson. I applaud it.
It is looking good, can't wait to see the suprise in the kitchen.
Brilliant - chronicling a listing start to finis. I hope you hear wild applause from Miami. I am hooked already - Ardell's Reality Show on the AR TV Channel.
This is fun, Ardell. I am enjoying see this from the 1st to the last post, where you sell it ?
Can someone pass over the popcorn. while we sit and watch.
We'll take a poll also on what the selling price will be. Any takers? I'll say $560k in less than 2 months.
I like the concept. This should become popular. Great idea. I'll stay tuned (don't move the tv). I have popcorn and a book until you get it done.
I'm going to have to enlist Ben's services in creating a video somewhere along the way. Not of getting it ready for market, but the kind of video tour I've always wanted to do. One that shows Ben rolling his kayak down to Lake Washington to portray the true value of this home. Big enough property to hold his toys and close enough to Lake Washington to walk down and have fun. Great lifestyle.
If he has a lifejacket, I may even get into the kayak with him.
Congrats on getting the listing...... I still can't believe you do the stagging yourself..... my hats off to you for that one!!!
Bigger and better - perception is important. Glad you took out the tv - major distraction. There are hundreds of photos on MLS with the television ON - ugh! What's in the kitchen?
Hi Margaret,
Will do a post this weekend on the final changes.
What a difference! The first photo was overwhelming, if I were a buyer, I would probably poke my head in and turn around to leave!
Cheers,
Cindy
Ardell - I love what you did to the room, it looks great! -- But, please, please forgive me for being a butt-in-ski, could you straighten the veritical lines in the image just a teeny tiny tad? I know its just typical wide angle distortion -- but life feels so much better when the room isn't leaning :-)
CJ, that isn't what I did...that was Ben moving out the TV and moving some things around as I requested.
This is what I did:
That came out blurry. I'll get the AFTER photos up shortly. Open House today.
Very interesting! I really like your approach.
Flat Ben's got the lady with the magic touch! It looks so much better!
None of the lower priced homes in Kirkland are selling though. Hoping September brings some activity. I need another guy with Kayaks :)
Ardell- great concept. I like your after. I am going to follow this through to the end.