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A Study In Staging A Home In Atlanta

Does Staging Really Help Sell A Home?

Some people swear by it. Others are indifferent. How do you know if staging your home will make a difference in how long it takes to sell… or the sales price, for that matter?

We might soon find out – using one of our listings

Our listing at 440 Coalville Drive in Lawrenceville had been listed for quite a while when the Seller called us up and asked us to professionally market the home.

The home looked very different from the pictures that the previous agent had taken… so much so that I was actually surprised. The home has an unusual floor plan – and most people simply do not have the imagination required to see how this space can be used.

I quickly realized that this home is a definite candidate for a staging, and referred the Seller to the local Master Stagers in Atlanta. After evaluating the proposals, the Seller selected Arow Flemmer of Under The Willow Interiors.

Arow is an Accredited Staging Professional Master as well as the 2007 President of the Atlanta chapter of the IAHSP. Believe me when I tell you that she lives and breathes staging.

Sometimes Arow will bring in another Staging Master to assist her with a project – and today’s adventure included Lisa Romans of First Impressions Real Estate Enhancement Group.

Both Arow and Lisa are very capable Interior Designers – real naturals. They came armed to the teeth with a trailer full of goodies, and systematically knocked out each room with flair.

Unlike the TV shows on HGTV, the real-life execution of a project like this is quite remarkable… and lasts more than a half an hour. You might think that the design is finished before they show up with the all the props. It’s not. What is done prior to arrival is the concept… but the final decisions and placements are made on location.

Ultimately, the goal is to remove the sterility of a vacant home and replace it with a warm and inviting flow and feel… and that goal was accomplished.

I liken this process to that of "getting dressed up". We all look better when we’ve showered, groomed, and put on nice clothes. Such is the case with staging a house.

I took the liberty of grabbing some video of this project and throwing a little clip together – I hope you enjoy it!

 
icon for podpress  Flash Video: Play Now | Download

Posted by Doug Quance on Monday, May 7th, 2007 at 10:13 am.

16 Responses to “A Study In Staging A Home In Atlanta”

I am interested to see how the home staging works out for you. I am considering it myself. Can’t wait for the update.

Left by April K Groves on May 7th, 2007

It should be interesting, April.

How did you like the “before and after” pictures?

Left by Doug Quance on May 7th, 2007

Looks like the stagers did a great job. I am curious to see how well it turns out.

Left by Cindy on May 7th, 2007

Thanks, Cindy. :)

I thought they did pretty good… and I am curious to see how it turns out, too.

It surely won’t hurt, that’s for sure.

Left by Doug Quance on May 8th, 2007

Is this service expensive? Can you tell me how much it costs? Thanks!

Left by Daphne on May 9th, 2007

Any service like this is not going to be cheap… but cost is relative. How expensive is it to not sell a home?

I would defer pricing questions to Arow, as she can better handle that question. :)

Left by Doug Quance on May 9th, 2007

Doug,

I like your clip about staging. I have an appointment Tuesday with an out of town seller who is desperate to sell. I previewed the vacant house yesterday. Ouch. I called him back and told him at least $1,000 and more likely $2,000 will get the house ready to show. He surprised me in saying it would be worth it. We talked about staging. I am a firm believer in staging. Lets see what happens Tuesday.

Left by Doug Trudeau on May 14th, 2007

Doug> That’s just the way the market is right now… properties need to look their best to compete.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow! :)

Left by Doug Quance on May 14th, 2007

This is awesome…..more video Doug!!! We love it

Left by Boston Real Estate on May 14th, 2007

Thank you Anth!

Good luck with your new website launch! :)

Left by Doug Quance on May 14th, 2007

Doug – What a fantastic video! I found it through google alerts for home staging. You have a great voice.

Left by Maureen on June 3rd, 2007

[...] separate expression of that same kind of idea, BloodhoundBlog contributor Doug Quance brings forth A Study In Staging A Home In Atlanta. The home is shown to full advantage, but, by making the film about the story of the staging of the [...]

Left by First thoughts on real estate video production: Stuff that works | BloodhoundBlog: National real estate marketing and technology weblog | There's always something to howl about... on June 4th, 2007

>Maureen – you are too kind. :)

You gotta love Google alerts… I know I do.

Left by Doug Quance on June 4th, 2007

Are you looking for another resource for furnishing your staged or model homes? We are in the process of opening up our showroom for rental furniture which is 40,000 sq. ft. of top of the line furnishings. We are opening up this division to builders and home stagers.

Please contact me to learn more.

Shari Zippay, Design Consultant
770-286-0072

Left by Shari Zippay on October 18th, 2007

Nice article and show. I am a HSR certified stager and of course agree that giving rooms a clear purpose and style and comfort can do wonders to how successful you will be in getting your home sold. I think it also needs to be priced so it will spark buyers interests. I am still trying to convince Realtors to add staging as one of their services in order to get more listings and have all their listings look immaculate and have great internet presence. Why are Realtors not using staging as a tool to get their listings sold? I don’t get it and would love to get feed back from Agents.

Left by Ischgebibbel Home staging on September 15th, 2008

Kristen Told Me About Your Site, NICE!

Left by eastern turkey travel on December 15th, 2008

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