“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Kate Hart

What a difference a day makes! Home Staging transforms this home in Montgomery County Pennsylvania

09-18-08
Kate Hart

I am exhausted! Yesterday our team had the task of completely transforming a grand estate in Montgomery County Pennsylvania. Since the home will not be on the market for another 2 weeks I will not post exterior shots but I promise to share some of the AMAZING architecture this home has to offer at a later date.

I think this is a great project to share because it really shows home sellers how home staging can give a property a new look using only what the client already has. I originally met with this home seller who is a real estate investor 2 months ago. I gave him a thorough evaluation of the property and gave him a report of what needed to be done to prepare the home for sale. Since it is an older home I recommended the usual menu of repainting, yard clean up, and other minor maintenance issues. I also gave him recommendations of what items to remove and store before the staging could take place.

I have to admit that this home was lovely to begin with and the home seller had gorgeous antiques and artwork. The photos below will show however that this home needed staging to show a better purpose for each space that they were selling:

  • The dining room that was being used as a sitting room needed to be shown as a dining room.
  • The formal living room was too crowded with lovely things- we are selling the home not the furniture
  • The library did not suit the needs of a family living in this home and needed to be transformed into a more typical cozy family room.
  • The kitchen had been partially updated but needed some warmth and excitement to make it more memorable

The best part was what we got to do with the items we removed. Adjoining the home was an empty in law apartment that we staged using only the items we took out of the main home- astonishingly it worked and is my favorite part of the home.

Once the home goes active I will share more photos and the special story behind this home. Until then I hope home sellers see this staging as an example of how each space in your home has to have a specific purpose and that you really can use the items you already have, just in a different way!

IT ALREADY SOLD! Home Staging Transforms this Twin in Wayne Pennsylvania

09-17-08
Kate Hart

After almost 5 years in the home staging business sometimes even I am amazed at what a difference a little staging can make. I visited this vacant home in Wayne 2 weeks ago- a Realtor that I work with wanted me to take a peek at her listing and come up with a plan on how to make it more appealing to younger first time home buyers. I have to say the results were awesome! What was once a vacant twin with rooms that had no defined purpose is now a charming retreat that buyers can imagine calling home. This is one home staging that definitely made a dramatic difference!

UPDATE! I just spoke with the agent and this home ALREADY HAS AN OFFER!! Not bad for staging it last week?!

Home Staging Expert Kate Hart Shares Design Advice with Pennsylvania HomeGoods Shoppers

09-15-08
Kate Hart

No worries you are not seeing double! Last weekend I had the pleasure of conducting my first "Designer is In" seminar for HomeGoods stores in St. Davids Pennsylvania and used this display to show shoppers how accessories can really transform a space on a budget. I really enjoyed meeting fellow shoppers and answering questions about their design and home staging projects. To learn more about the "Designer is In" seminars visit my HomeGoods blog. I am off to Marlton New Jersey this weekend and look forward to meeting more shoppers in person.

Home Staging Helps Home Seller in Havertown Pennsylvania Prepare Home For Sale

09-15-08
Kate Hart

If you are getting your home ready to sell then you need to take note of what my latest client in Havertown Pennsylvania did to prepare her home for sale. Three months ago I received a phone call from her- she knew that she was going to put her home on the market in the Fall and that in order to sell in today's market that it needed to look its best. Two weeks ago I met her at her home and she had already gotten to work. The painters were repainting the interior to give it a fresh look, the handyman was taking care of any maintenance issues and the exterior of the home was being refreshed with power washing and seasonal landscaping. Today we provided the final touch with home staging. It goes on the market tomorrow and I am looking forward to her getting an offer!

IT GOT AN OFFER IN LESS THAN A WEEK! Home Staging Gets Wayne Pennsylvania Home Ready for Sale

09-15-08
Kate Hart

I love doing home staging consultations! I consider it such an honor to go into a home seller's home and help them get their most valuable, and personal possession, ready to sell. This month I had the pleasure of working with a family that needed some advice about what to do to prepare their house for Fall market. I was really impressed with how they listened to my ideas about decluttering, repainting, and depersonalizing. I was even more impressed that they not only replaced the second floor carpet and the lower level carpet but that they updated the master bathroom as well. After their projects were completed I returned to the home to help them enhance the home with a few key accessories. Below are some photos I wanted to share. I am excited for the next lucky family that gets to call this luxurious house their home!

UPDATE! I just got a call from the listing agent- the home sellers got an offer in just 5 days. Here is proof again that Home Staging is helping to sell homes in any market!