Tessa Skeens - Hampton Redesign

The other day I was meeting the furniture rental pickup truck at one of my staged homes in Fort Worth TX that just sold. I'd loaded the last few plants and a table into my car and was waiting for the knock on the door.

Well the knock came, but in walked the mother and father of the new buyer. They were there to measure and help her get a jump on moving into her new home.

The mother said she was delighted to meet me as they had enjoyed seeing how I had furnished and accessorized this beautiful townhome.

She made special mention of the fact that seeing the staged home photos really made a difference. Her daughter, while browsing online had seen the photo of the kitchen and said "Mom come and look at these flowers!". The vase was on the island where she hopes to make cookies with her girlfriends in the hoidays, so it was definitely an emotional touchpoint for her.

It was so nice to get that feedback. To hear how a buyer responds to what you do and to know it does make a difference. Now the seller is happy, the realtors are happy and of course the buyer has found a new home she can make memories in! It feels good!

Staged by Hampton Redesign - www.hamptonredesign.com

Recently on a HOT Saturday morning I found myself watching a mini marathon of my favorite home flipping shows on TV. The temperatures have been consistently hitting the 100s here in central TX so I was basking in the AC while getting inspired!

I love to watch house flipping shows. I like it when they tally up the costs at the end to show the investment they made and what their projected profit would be if it sells for their target price.

This particular house flip took place in CA - complete with wild fires and wild price fluctuations during the flip. At the end of the renovation the investor brought in a staging company to stage the property for his open house that weekend. The flip was still under construction so the stagers agreed to come back several days later.

The home staging team did a beautiful job. It looked like every room was staged and with high end furniture and accessories.

Why did I flip out? The total cost given for staging was $500. $500.!!

Now granted the company may have agreed to a lower cost for the marketing exposure (their name was on the side of the truck they used). It may have been for one day only.

But this gives a completely false idea of how much this kind of vacant staging costs to the consumer watching these shows. It would be impossible for any company to stay in business at this price with all the overhead of labor and inventory that is required to fully stage a home.

Although we do sprinkle fairy dust from time to time, completely staging a vacant house for $500. is wishful thinking!

I welcome your comments as always!

This is what makes it so satisfying to be a home stager. Today I got a call from the realtor. In less than ten days since I staged this home, they have received not one, but three offers for this property. Woohoo!

Now there was nothing wrong with this home. It has a gorgeous updated kitchen and lush private backyard. But it has been on the market since November of 2008.

Before it was open and open to interpretation!

After there's a space for dining and entertaining!

While I was previewing it with the realtor before staging, the home was being shown. The potential buyers actually asked me how I would arrange furniture in the main living space. Although the space was nice and open there was no recognizable area for a formal dining or eat in space. After I explained what I would do if I staged it, they left and the realtor said she thought they would make an offer but wait until it was staged!

This is the first time I've realized buyers actually enjoy seeing homes staged. And really why shouldn't they? It's a little bit of Hollywood HGTV-style buzz. It's fun and creates excitement not only for the buyers, but the agents showing the home and the owner who is excited about finally selling the home!

What I realized is, staging shows the seller cares. They care enough about the home to present it professionally. It shows pride of ownership. What better message is there to your buyers than you think the house is worth an investment of time and money?

The seller is happy, the realtor is happy and you know the buyers feel they are getting not only a new home but a nice preview of how they can arrange their furniture once they move in! I call that a happy ending!

Staged by Hampton Redesign www.hamptonredesign.com

"Your success is our success"

I started working with the investor/flipper on this home back in December of 2008. Initially we were just talking about my company staging the home for sale once the renovations were complete. But I took on the role of design consultant very early and had the pleasure of seeing this great old Fort Worth brick ranch gradually transformed into a sleek and modern family home.

Original photo of home in the 1950s

Walls came down, new space was carved out for a larger master bath and closet and the original kitchen was totally gutted. The space is now light and open thanks to the addition of a set of french doors off the breakfast area and sliders off the kitchen. The decision was made to keep part of the wall between the formal living area and new great room. I think it's nice to have options when entertaining or living and opening up the wall would have created one huge living space but limited options for family members to use the space independently.

Before the back porch was carved up into a new master bath and breakfast room - After the fireplace gets a facelift!

Before the living room and family were cut off by a wall - After it was opened up for better flow and light

Before the kitchen was cut off from the family room - After it's open to the family room and flooded with light

Before the master bedroom got a minor facelift and after staging

Before the family bathroom was dated and cramped. After it is an open modern bath with subway tile and solid surface counters.

A new deck was also built off the back to maximize the living space and give the new owners the option of opening both french doors and sliders to entertain outside.

Outside the brick was painted in a neutral Sherwin Williams Perfect Greige. I did opt for neutral light colors throughout and I think it makes an easy palette for anyone to move into and later change if their tastes are more colorful!

The nice original wood floors were a bonus which just needed refinishing in a darker stain. Large 16 x 16 tiles were used throughout the great room and kitchen to offer easy care and seamless options for arranging furniture.

The flip project did run over time but is now complete and ready for a new owner. This great old family home in the desirable Ridglea neighborhood has been reinvented and renovated for the 21st century and is listed now!

4224 Shannon Dr., Fort Worth TX 76116
MLS Number:11187863
Listing Agent:David McDonald
Listing Office:Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.

Staged by Hampton Redesign www.hamptonredesign.com

"Your success is our success"

I recently wrote about a home I was staging here in Fort Worth. Kitchen cabinets were dated and so were the bathrooms. We ended up getting the cabinets painted and updated the lighting fixtures in the kitchen and dining area.Here is the "after" photo.

Oh and we staged it on a budget! I got five rooms staged on the minimum furniture rental budget required for three months. Owners were out of state and were ready to get this home sold - it had been on the market previously for about 8 months before the listing expired. We staged it just prior to it being re-listed.

The first day of listing (March 4) there were five showings. On March 24, there was a Broker open with 15 attending. On March 29 there was an open house and the following day an offer.

Yesterday I received a phone call from the new buyer. They are closing this month on April 24th. She wanted to know if the couch I used in the living room was available for sale as well as the dinner napkins I used on the dining room table. She is planning on using the color as the base for her new color scheme.

The couch is rented, but I told her I would be happy to give her the napkins.

Yes staging costs money, but can anyone doubt the buyer had an emotional connection to this home through the furnishings? Could that connection have been made without the color of the napkins to inspire her?

I'm not patting myself on the back - I'm just happy to know the staging worked! It's not often we get to hear buyers reaction to what we do and this is one of those instances where you go "AHA"! Yeah!

Staged and Sold in less than 30 days!

For expert Home Staging and Redesign in greater Fort Worth TX, call Hampton ReDesign. I can guide you to a faster sale through staging or redesign. Your success is my success!