The grizzly facts about bare rooms - observations of a wild Home Stager
By Jackson West
As a home stager, I secretly growl with frustration when I encounter vacant homes sitting on the market. Many of these listings lie dormant for extended and unnecessary lengths of time. Top Realtors and leading builders agree that selling an empty home is much more difficult than selling one that is furnished. Due to popular home design shows on television, today’s buyer has higher standards and wants a home that is "move in" ready. This has contributed to the success and popularity of home staging in recent years.
For most people the decision to buy a home is complex and is often based upon untamed emotion. Effective home staging ensures buyers identify with the space and aspire to the desirable lifestyle portrayed. This is precisely why builders use model homes and show suites to effectively sell properties. These days savvy Realtors and homeowners realize that in order to maximize selling price, vacant listings must be staged.
If you are selling a vacant listing, bear in mind the disadvantages of presenting empty rooms. Perhaps the greatest drawback to selling vacant properties is that every negative detail is in plain sight. Buyers scrutinize the condition of walls, flooring, and fixtures when there is nothing else to capture their attention. Bare rooms magnify echo and are uninviting. Without structural focal points they appear boring. It is often difficult for potential buyers to gauge the functionality, size and scale of a room without furniture to provide a point of reference. Challenging floor plans can be a deal breaker, leaving buyers wondering about possible furniture layout and available space. Not only does effective home staging make rooms appear larger, it also helps buyers form the necessary emotional connection to their potential home. The streamlined furniture placement employed in home staging guides the buyer and provides a necessary sense of flow between rooms.
Most buyers view several properties before making a decision to purchase. A property that has been properly staged entices buyers to linger, interact, and remember the prospective residence. It is crucial that a space stands out from the competition and remain in the minds of potential buyers if you wish to attract multiple offers. People are often hesitant about purchasing an empty home because they assume that since the owner has already moved they are eager to sell or worse yet that there is something wrong with the property. A vacant listing may also imply that the property has been for sale for an extended period of time and encourages potential buyers to present a lower offer. Bottom line, staged homes sell sooner and for maximum profit.
Still not convinced? Consider this empty living room in a house staged by Jackson West of Reveal Estate Home Staging.
This vacant room lacked a focal point, felt hollow and showed the signs of everyday wear and tear. It is the first room potential buyers viewed as they entered the house and didn’t make a great or lasting impression.
After identifying the demographic of potential buyers, the home was successfully merchandised. Staging created a necessary and inviting focal point, visual depth, and eliminated the cold echo in the room. The placement of simple, quality furniture and accessories added a sense of sophistication and transformed this house into a warm, inviting home.
People don’t buy houses, they buy homes. Consider the advantages of having your vacant property professionally staged.
Creating a positive first impression is key to selling your home. The need to impress buyers is crucial. Staging by Reveal Estate ensures a quicker sale for the highest possible price.
Reveal maximum appeal...
By paying close attention to buyer demographic, color, proportion, flow and style, we create memorable spaces that sell.
Effective home staging controls precisely where potential buyers look and the way in which they move throughout a property. This is accomplished through strategic furniture placement and the implementation of greenery, artwork and accessories. As simple as this may seem there is a definitive art to preparing a property for sale.
See photos of rooms we have staged in the book Home Staging For Dummies.
Our team will design and enhance your space to create the look that buyer's want. We edit and position your possessions to increase functionality, flow and mass appeal.
Often we incorporate furniture, artwork and accessories from our extensive inventory.
A verbal consultation is provided prior to the staging date and will be included in our proposal.
By using our beautiful furnishings, artwork and unique accessories we will bring out the architectural features of the property while downplaying any negative or problem areas.
The interiors and ambiance we create cause buyers to linger and form a necessary emotional connection to the property.
We visit your home or listing for a brief period of time to determine what is required to merchandise the property.
We develop a proposal for services specific to your property and provide you with a written bid within 24 hours. All projects are unique; our bid for services is based upon floor plan, condition of home, and detail of project.
With your approval we formalize the staging plan with a written agreement and schedule a date for the staging.
Cost effective and quick!We tour your home and provide a professional assessment on what is necessary to prepare your property for sale or redesign. The consultation takes approximately 2 hours. Both exterior and interior assessments will be made.
Homeowners are encouraged to take notes and will receive expert recommendations and a "buyer's eye view" of how your property shows.
This option appeals to those who would enjoy taking on the responsibilities of the staging work themselves.
Using as much of your existing furniture and accessories as possible, we rearrange your rooms to give you a fresh perspective on living.
We address color, lighting, cosmetic updates, furniture selection and configuration as well as artwork and accessory placement. Our fun and innovative touches can make a big difference.
All redesign projects require a verbal consultation.
Move in Services
Need help setting up your new home? Our experts will position your furniture, hang artwork and place your accessories to create a warm inviting space.
Personal Shopping
If you are looking for a particular piece of furniture, linens or accessories to achieve a coordinated, polished look, we will shop for you.
We are familiar with where to go for great finds that will suit your budget. We can shop quickly, saving you time, worry and hassle.
"I hired Jackson West to stage my West End condo in February 2007. Jackson brought a fresh perspective to the space and took incredible care and attention in the details to truly make the apartment "show home" like. He knew how to play up the positives of the space (the renovated kitchen and large living room) and worked with its disadvantages (low light and small bedroom) to bring in a quick sale. The condo sold within two weeks with no subjects. I wouldn't hesitate to hire Jackson again as he did what he said he would do, on time, and at a better price than most other companies."
Tonya F. - Vancouver
"My first reaction upon seeing the finished product was WOW! It was simply amazing, the transformation from a rental place for students to show home quality that I would want to live in again. Thanks for everything."
Som Y. - Vancouver
"What your team did to my condo is absolutely amazing! The kitchen got rave reviews by all who viewed it. I am smiling all the way to the bank!"
Daryn M. - Vancouver
"Reveal Estate staged my Kitsilano home for sale. I have to say, I loved everything they did and the house looked wonderful. The photos they took were so good, my Realtor used them in the real estate listing. It sold in less than two weeks - thanks, Jackson!"
Beverley B. - Vancouver
"Our experience with Reveal Estate was fantastic. Jackson was a pleasure to work with, made our place look amazing, and we got our asking price within a week. I would totally recommend Reveal Estate to anyone who wants to sell fast and for top dollar."
Tyler M. - Vancouver
"Jackson arrived on the scene and quickly became one of the more sought after staging consultants due to his value added approach and high level of customer service. His creative abilities, wide inventory of furnishings and accents, and very reasonable rates make him my first choice."
Shelly S. - Century 21 Vancouver
"Reveal Estate Home Staging was outstanding! I was in a hurry to sell my condo and they transformed my home to knockout condition quickly, and at a more than reasonable rate. Jackson was always available to answer my questions and concerns (and I had a lot) in a helpful and professional manner. After staging, my condo looked amazing and it sold within a week for more than the asking price! I highly recommend Reveal Estate to anybody who wants to maximize the appeal of their property."
Genevieve C. - Vancouver
"The transformation of our vacant apartment by Reveal Estate was remarkable. The colors, styles and furniture placement blended to create a smooth flow throughout. The sun room was particularily beautiful as an extension of the master bedroom. Everyone was impressed at how a 15 year old apartment could look new. Even though there were multiple units for sale in our building, we had no difficulty getting 2 offers for the full asking price within 5 days of listing the property. The new owners loved it so much they wanted the furniture as well."
Judy M. - Vancouver
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