Frequently I am asked to hire aspiring stagers who want to "decorate!" as they put it. I must get 5-10 emails a month. I go through a series of questions, usually none of which are answered to my satisfaction.
However, I have learned over the last 7 years that everyone deserves a chance and that you either "got it" or you don't. Any person can take a staging course in this world and even that will not help you if you don't "have it" so to speak. Natural ability and the "eye" that it takes to put a room together cannot be learned in a class. May I repeat.... CANNOT be learned in a class.
I am finding it about a 1 in 30 success rate. Seriously. I bring on new "stagers" for a training day, ready willing and able to go, they show up and talk the talk and then there is no ability to put the room together.
This is a serious business that honestly requires spectacular people who are gifted at Staging, who perform superior to their counterparts, who run the full race even till late hours, who are tireless in ideas, who will jump in their car at 8:45 pm to make it 22 miles to Home Sense for the "perfect thing" rather than compromise a project outcome out of sheer laziness.....these "stagers have it in their BLOOD. They never quit, need no direction other than how to get to the house - and even then they are able to read maps and figure it out- they are the stars of this industry, the real deal. And hiring these Stagers will make your property sell. Hiring the "others" who do not fit the bill are going to cost you money.
As a Business Owner, I feel overwhelmed at times with the amount of people who call themselves stagers and in fact do damage to this fabulous industry.
That is my soap box for the day....take from it what you will.
love this shot...great red dress. We thought it would add to the lack of color in the room and it drew the eye away from the dirt yard
desk accessories....always need a bunch!
small grouping in dead space...worked really well
these rooms were beautiful finishes....I have a very talented team!
Jill
I see this as an opprotunity to do many things like catch up on areas I am behind, tie up loose ends, complete projects that have been started and left behind....this is a great time to implement new ideas, get the paperwork cleared away and get moving onto new goals!
Do I think it's slower? No. It's just different and I am fortunatly adaptable!
Jill
I did do the January Box at my New Years Eve gathering at the lake, and it was a hit- I was kinda surprised because of the mix of people, but I brought enough boxes (gift boxes at the boxing week sales) for everyone and printed off my version of this concept.
Questions were about:
an honest look at where I am at in these areas and do I like it?
financial goals and true current measurements, assets & liabilities...net worth
"There's a BIG difference in not wanting to retire and not being able to."
spiritual growth or plans for that and scriptures that encourage me
dictionary definitions on CHOICE.
Family goals
Personal goals for weight, relationships, and an honest assesment of where they are at now as well as what needs to happen to move them forward
questions like " who do I need to make ammends with? When will I do this?
Is my conscience clear? Why not? How can I clear it?
IsS there anyone I need to forgive? Who and when will I do it?
Where do I see my weak areas? My strengths?
Am I taking care of my health? What can I do differntly?
Would I like to travel and where? Will I this year? How do I arrive at that?
What are my hobbies? DO I need new ones?
What can I try that I always wanted to try?
Where is your head right now? Where are your emotions?
What do you love to do? DO you do it?
Just some of the concepts. I tried to copy and paste it but it did not work.
Happy New Year!
Below, I am shooting an old Israeli Building in Jerusalem....go where you love to go, live your life !
Jill
Having a Merry Christmas I hope? I am taking some time off from the toy explosion in the living room to hide out in my sister's office and blog. Maybe I am a new addict.
This year I am starting a January Box. It's going to be a recall of the major successes, trials, ups & downs of the last year in every department of my life and business, so that next year I can measure my growth better. I am doing this because I am always trying to look back to see where I was and how far I have come and never can seem to remember the details.
So -if you are so inclined to join this...feel free....a January Box listing the: success and failures, growth, new opprotunities, financial standing, assests, liabilities, relationships (or lack or them!) spiritual growth and areas that are currently being worked on, age, weight, hairstyle...etc
This will be like a Yearly Time Capsule I guess....It should be interesting.
Merry Christmas....
Jill
Edmonton's Leading Home Staging Company, since 2003 , Jill Gargus is an industry leader. Her team's home transformations will bring your sale faster! Call today or visit http://www.stageandsell.ca
There are varied costs to staging an occupied home and the first initial consultation of $75.00 per hour + gst will help to determine what the needs of the property are. Many times there are items that can be dealt with easily with a little elbow grease. We will spend that time working through the plans you already have in progress as well as what I believe is needed to complete the STAGED look. If you as a seller can contribute any skills we are open to having your participation to keep costs down.
However, if you are unable to assist for any reason, we are fully equipped with professional painters, house cleaners, landscapers, window washers, junk removal, men with muscle and storage options. I have contracted many sevices that may be needed to ensure that you are able to get staged quickly and cost effectivly. We respect budget and timeline and use creative options to get the job done! Staging can range anywhere between $1,200.00 - $4,000.00, depending on if you have furniture or prop rentals, de-cluttering, purchases, and of course the size of your property, location and access play a part.
At our first consultation we will determine the entire cost right there for you so you can make a quick decision and get STAGED within your budget. View our website at www.stageandsell.ca or www.edmontonhomestaging.ca for basics on pricing.
We have Home Staged over 500 Edmonton area homes in the last 7 years and with Jill's former career as a Realtor in the Edmonton Real Estate Board, she has been in thousands of styles of homes and seen which ones sell faster and why. Jills' staging team creates a series of great first impressions in every room so that a buyer falls in love with your property instead of your competition's. The goal is to create that "wow factor" and "lifestyle selling element" that makes a buyer desire to live there. We have seen many sellers over the years make the mistake of simply de-cluttering their home and thinking that is was now "Staged".
Unfortunatly they missed the mark and lost dollars off their bottom line because they failed to do the last step of preparing their home...the staging. Accessories and positioning of furniture and items, feature walls, correct color choices and overall presentation are all the icing on the cake and that is what brings the best sale price possible. Why give your precious equity away to another person? Maximize it for your own pocket and take it to the next house! see www.stageandsell.ca or www.edmontonhomestaging.ca for details
" We listed and waited without an offer for 3 weeks while things sold around us, so we decided to try staging. The house was vacant and required full furniture and accessory rentals. We were listed for $359,000 and has it staged on a Wednesday. Within 2 days we had multiple offers and sold for $362,000! T. Kuhn- May 2009 , Stony Plain, AB
"We were very happy with your staging services, ot only because it sold in one week ( after months of trying) but also because of your professionalism in communicating and getting the job done quickly, whether it was setting up the cleaning, furniture rental or arranging for a painter. It eliminated a lot of worries for us! We would definetly recommend your services to others. We were very pelased with your staging services and your helpful advice." S & B Martens-Edmonton- June 2009
"Our house was appraised at $215,000 before the work and sold for $252,000 in 12 hours. We got the WOW factor we were looking for. We are very happy." D & T McKenzie- Sherwood Park, Alberta
"Jill has a God given gift at transforming a house into a masterpiece." Barb L.- Stony Plain, Alberta
"The job done far exceeded our expectations, cinsidering that the staging brought in 16 time more than it cost in what we were able to list for, it was an amazing investment." B & M Bowie, Edmonton, Alberta
" I have been fortunate enough to use Jill Gargus' talents on several of my listings. In all cases sales happened sooner with less stress and worry. Jill has an uncanny eye to see the potential in a home. I have learned quite a bit simply by listening to her and seeing her projects. I find Jill to be a person who follows up on her promises. My clients like her and feel comfortable working with her. She is efficient and respectful of other's needs. I feel that she helps to show my clients my professionalism as whatever she does reflects on me. I find it amazing what her "eye" can do for my client and for me. Thank you Jill. Sincerely, J. Sills Realty Executives Challenge, Edmonton, Alberta
"First impressions are lasting impressions...people do not realize what a home needs in the way of getting it ready to sell. You can take that worry from them, I would recommend your company to all my clients." H. Vasileff, Realty Executives Leading, Spruce Grove, Alberta
"I have been using the home staging services that Jill Gargus provides and have found that she is reliable, consistent and keeps her word on price and timeline of completion. She takes the time to detail to me the progress of the work she is doing and is honest in her accounts. She respects my business in the real estate industry and also my clients and treats them well. I have no hesitation in sending her to their homes, knowing that she will represent me well and also take care of their needs with patience, kindness, professionalism and diligence. I am happy to support her business and look forward to future business with her." R. Edwards- Remax Real Estate, Spruce Grove Alberta
"Hi JIll, I had to send you a message and I am sure that you will love it. I took a young couple to look for their first home, we entered 9610-153 St. and as we entered the home I got the feeling of dejavu, this home felt just like you had prepared it. After we negotiated the purchase price I asked the Realtor if you had been there and she almost lost it when I told her that I also use your wonderful services. You did a marvellous job here as you also did for me. It was your touch that made that young couple see the potential and buy this home. These listings have been blessed wtih the touch of simply irresistible interiors." Regards, J. Klufas Remax Excellence, Edmonton Alberta
"We are pleased with the results of your work and your integrity." A.James Remax Devon,Alberta
"The condo was the highest price in Riverbend at that time. The Staging made it look like a showhome. As a result the comments from buyers and Realtors that went through the home were very positive. A multiple offer came in and the condo sold for full list price." R. Slemko Realty Executives Challenge., Edmonton, Alberta
" We expected some good advice about de-cluttering, furniture placement, colors etc...from someone who is an expert. Honestly I thought it was a lot of money at first, but we got every penny back! After all our preparation for sale work, I wondered what more a Home Stager could accomplish. Our house looked clean, tidy and spacious. When I came home after the Home Staging, I was in awe. What I thought looked really good, Jill made it look incredible!" M. Walker. Spruce Grove, Alberta
"We were expecting to have a more" flow" efficient home, something that would catch buyers eyes. And that is what we got plus more. I was extremely satisfied with the result. I would recommend this service to anyone that needs an extra hand in selling. Jill has fabulous taste and a good eye for detail." J & K Winfield, Morinville, Alberta
"Hi Jill, I was absolutely thrilled with the ease and convenience of having my property home staged. Knowing that the stage was set- I did not have to worry about it not showing properly. Everyone who came in felt right at home in the surroundings- in fact more people than not asked if the furniture was included. This service is an absolute must- especially in vacant properties. After all you are not just selling 4 walls- but the possibilities that those 4 walls can give you!" J. Kennedy, Remax St. Albert, Alberta
"Dear Jill and simply irresistible interiors;
We are writing this letter to thank you for the wonderful job your team did at my father's property ( 9225 153 St) in Edmonton. In the begining we didn't know very much about Home Staging and questioned the influence it would have on the sale of the home. We appreciated you taking the time to show us the current projects you were working on, as well as bringing us your "before photos" so we could see real life examples of the difference staging makes.
After seeing that project, we realized that Home Staging would definetly improve the appearance of my fathers' home and therefore improve our chances of selling. As you know the house was 53 years old and looked very dated. The wallpaper removal and replacement with fresh, modern paint colors, as well as the updates to the flooring made a big difference. The furniture rentals and accessories were also a beautiful finishing touch- you truly made it look like a magazine cover. The whole extended family came over to see it and were stunned at the transformation. Even my Dad, who just moved out, wanted to move back in! He was caught a number of times napping on that gorgeous bed you made!
The end result was that out asking price went from $204,900 to $255,00 and we sold in 3 days for $253,00. We invested approx $8,000 in this job and I feel that it was worth every penny. Selling the house so quickly and for such a good price made the whole process a breeze for Dad and I have no doubt that the staging greatly assisted in this regard.
We appreciated your teams' effort and professionalism, commitment to completing on time and all the little touches that you added that made this such a positive experience.
We would highly recommend your services to all homesellers. Thank you, R. and D.Rurka, Llyodminster, Alberta
www.stageandsell.ca or www.edmontonhomestaging.ca
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