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Home Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

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We've got a LONG way to go...Today's letter from a Realtor.

05-03-09
Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

Good Morning all ... hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

I got an email this morning from a Realtor, following a day of mass emails to agents from all over the Montreal area yesterday.

I was sort of taken back at first but thought I would rise to the challenge with the question she proposed

"How do you stage an empty condo that is just built? thanks anyway."

This just goes to prove we have a long way to go to educate some agents on the value of Staging.

Here is how I handled it...

"Well, if the condo is already built there isn't a problem. That's when Staging is most beneficial.

For the most part, as you probably already know, people (most) do not have imagination when it comes to an empty space. Really, what is where for them to look at? To connect with? Just big empty spaces that they rush through by poking their heads in and out of rooms. How can they make a connection? How can you slow them down when there is nothing there for them to connect with? It’s a lot harder for them to envision themselves living in that space when the stage isn’t set.

At this point, you had better hope that the condo has an amazing view ....or an amazing price!

We have staged many new condos, flipped houses and vacant homes ... I have included some pictures so you can see the difference a staged setting can make.

At Home Harmony we say from “ cold and empty to warm and inviting”….We think You will agree."

I included this and a few other photos to prove my point.

6 Comments
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Granny's Parlor or California Sun room ... WHICH WOULD YOU BUY?

04-24-09
Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

Recently, Home Harmony set out to the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains (north of Montreal and a mole hill by western standards) to do a little staging.

This lovely totally renovated bungalow had huge potential. On curb appeal it scores a 10. The gardens were carefully chosen and planted and amongst the shrubs there is even a little fish pond with a fountain. The house a sprawling beauty with a full basement with two additional bedrooms (3+2). There is plenty of room to set up a pool table or cinema area and another space to relax by the fire.

While we were on site the listing Agent (friend of the owner) came to check up on us TWICE! While we were busy making "MAGIC" he dragged Michelle off to see another house in the area that he would like us to stage. The agent was so impressed that he returned with his wife, her friend, her friends husband and a neighbor! He couldn't praise us enough. He was having trouble believing it was the same house!

Well, we are confident that it won't take long for someone to snap up this little beauty ... you be the judge.

7 Comments
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Nope ... it's not a bowling alley.

04-19-09
Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

This beautiful totally renovated condo in a prime location in Montreal wasn't getting the attention it deserved.

Potential buyers were turned off and passed it over because of this long and narrow living and dinning area ...no one could envision it's potential.

The poorly positioned fireplace may it somewhat challenging to make this condos selling feature a functional part of the room. (2 feet from the corner)

Much to the ownes' and Realtors delight , Home Harmony succeeded in turning this bowling alley "hangout" into a chic place to unwind.

11 Comments
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Live in the country? ... all the more reason to stage.

04-03-09
Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

Hello again,

Living in the country about 40 or so minutes from Montreal has it's benefits. For the most obvious reasons; larger properties (farmettes), lower taxes, closer bond with neighbors and of course a lifestyle. It has been a great place to raise our children without the worries of city living. Now in their late teens my children would say they had an amazing childhood filled with adventure but living in the" Mook Mook" as they call it now has it's down falls. I am certain in a few more years they will once again come to appreciate the country life ... with having had time to experience the city nightlife and all the treasures in this great city of ours.

Many families choose to move back to the sub-burbs or to the city to avoid having their children traveling long distances to colleges and universities ... not us ... but this got me to thinking about property pricing and staging for homes in the country. All property owners, regardless if they are in the heart of the city, the sub burbs or in the country deserve to make the most of their asset (their home) when it comes time to sell. No matter where you are located and perhaps because of where you are located all the more reason to hire a stager. A home located about 5 minutes from mine took 3 years to sell! Maybe they were over priced to start and becasue of it had fewer potential buyers view the home...I say all the more reason to stage it !

They say it only takes one "the right one" to fall in love with your home...but if fewer people are looking to live in the country and only a handful of those view your home ....YOU BETTER MAKE A GREATEST FIRST IMPRESSION because you never know when the next one will come along!

4 Comments
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Part 2... Scary to Fairy Woodland

03-23-09
Liz Gallagher, RESA member.

Hi all,

Here is another room we staged in the same home as the Viking bed ... Dad had created another interesting bed for one of this little ones. I took the idea of the woodland and nature theme and made it a little less scary and woodsy...

By reusing the master room bedding and art from the master bathroom (not sure what they were thinking) we turned this little girls room into a Fairyland ... in less than 20 minutes. The little girl loved it and the parents were so please that we had elaborated on their vision...

4 Comments