Speaking Up about Home Staging

I showed a few photos from my newest portfolio.  It was inspired after reading Maureen's post I stole Juliet and Beth's portfolio.  You should to.  She advises her inspiration came from Juliet Johnson and Beth Panode. 

If you saw my comments at all you know I was smacking myself on the head with the power of the aha moment.  I use kodakgallery all the time to manage my portfolio photos, before and after slideshows, etc.  How did I not figure this out. 

Last night I posted a blog about how I've started looking at my work from a different perspective, What do your photos show?  A new look at a staging portfolio.  I posted a couple of photos from my new book, the one inspired by Maureen, Juliet & Beth... I've gotten a lot of quesitons, so I thought it might be helpful to show a few more pages and discuss my thought process and different ideas for the book....

In the set below I wanted to show off how simple changes with paint can create dramatic differences.  It seems that I often recommend painting cabinets or paneling and it is easier to convince sellers the difference it will make when I show them past work....

This next set shows a little before and after focusing on MLS.  What would this photo have meant to a potential buyer?  The full room after staging is on the left and the before and after view on the right...

This last set shows various rooms in the same home.  It talks about how we make the home feel larger by keeping continuous color and texture throughout the home. 

Notice that the photos show a variety of colors, textures, and furniture styles.  The homes radically vary in price point, but they all still look 'classy'.  This helps put clients at ease that you will acheive a cohesive look regardless of list price. 

My book was primarily about my work.  I did not add an about me section, etc.  I actually added very few before

and after sets.  I primarily focused on the finished look.  This works particularly well because I specialize in vacant properties, but even if you specialize in owner occupied consider that it doesn't necessarily matter what the before looked like, in the end you will be judged by the after....

I hope this helps answer some of those questions out there and inspires you to take your portfolio up a notch!  I certainly know I owe a HUGE thank you to those 3 wonderful ladies who inspired me!

One of my goals for 2008 is to remove all stock photography from my websites.  We have great portfolio pictures on the appropriate pages, but the main photos are not mine.  They were put there by my web designer when we started the sites (2 years ago for www.redesigningcharleston.com  and 1 year ago for www.stagingandredesign.com) This year, I want all of them to be mine or one of my associates.  When I started trying to pick out photos to use a few months ago I realized that the focal points of my work were not exactly like what I currently have posted..... Most of my photos looked like this....

The photos are pretty standard.  We use them a lot for before and afters.... What was the key difference between this and what I wanted?  I should have known... this after all is what I do.... determining focal points.

My current photos were more focused on the actual design work - color, texture, etc.  Ah ha!  I needed to look at my work differently and photograph accordingly. 

Now I know these aren't perfect.  I should have adjusted the seat cushions (didn't notice until I had gone home) and the window glare is a bit much..... it is a start though....

When showing off our portfolio, sometimes we should actually focus on the elements of the design job, not just provide a full view of the room.

Check out this layout from my new portfolio book using my new photographic techniques....

This view of the slipcovered eat in area is much more interesting than the whole room would have been... same as the metal geese..... now if only I could figure out how to straighten out lines, etc the way Craig does..... who has time for that anyway?

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Update:  Because I have received numerous questions about the photo book, I have posted additional information on this in Sharpen Your Sword.  The link to the blog is Juliet, Beth & Maureen are smart cookies.... you'll want what they have - I did!

Tonight I finally had a few minutes to do my SIF stats to fax over to Craig.  (I also faxed about 10 of them right before our roundtable a few weeks ago.)  I have to say I'm really enjoying the process!  It reminds me to keep stats and helps me do this!  What I've learned is that my stats are pretty darn good!  I can't wait until we get info on how to compare ourselves to others on both a national and local level -- hint hint Craig!

Form copied from SIF homepage for your downloading pleasure...

here's the info I gathered tonight for Craig (End date is based on contract or close date):

House #1   Staging start date  10/08/07  End date  11/26/07  DOM prior to staging?  36

House #2   Staging start date  08/10/07  End date  12/03/07  DOM prior to staging?  0  (this is 2 of 4 units in this townhouse to have sold based on the staging ... the other unit went under contract on 11/08/07)

House #3   Staging start date 10/15/07   End date 10/25/07  DOM prior to staging 145

House #4   Staging start date  11/05/07  End date 12/18/07  DOM prior to staging?  81

I think the form will actually make it much easier to keep track of the stats for our company as well as the purposes it was originally intended for.  Thanks Craig!  Speaking of which... where have you been lately?

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Statistics listed are intellectual and proprietary information for use by First Impression Home Staging & Interior ReDesign, LLC authorized members and agents ONLY.  They may not be used without express written consent by an authorized agent of said LLC. 

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If you would like information on how to get First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign to stage your property, please email:  melissa@stagingandredesign.com or call (843) 822-2622

Yesterday I went to view one of my best client's properties.  It is newly listed and in very bad shape.  I would call this a flip house.  I'm not going to show photos because it is currently on the market and I don't want anyone local to be able to connect any dots...   I was asked to put together a budget for staging and some inexpensive updates.  The budget would be low because they already needed new flooring (it is stripped down to the concrete at this moment).

When we were at the home, I actually called a friend of mine who flips homes and gave him the address recommending this home.  Before the client spends any more money, I think this is their best option for a buyer. 

Here is a list of some of my recommendations in the home:

• scrape popcorn ceiling
• Prime & paint all trimwork
• replace countertops (they are laminate and cracked)
• take down latticework that covers screens in screened porch
• re-glaze tiles in both bathrooms
• paint entire home
• remove old wallpaper that has been painted over & is peeling from wall (about 3/4 of the home unfortunately) - it may be easier & cheaper in the long run to redrywall these areas...
• replace countertops in both bathrooms
• remove green & gold shag carpet in FROG
• paint entire exterior home including bricks (which are very dated & unattractive), doors & shutters

These are only some of the minimal suggestions.  There are signs throughout the home that say, new carpet coming soon.  MLS offers a carpet allowance.  What I wonder though, is whether the home would be better off with a dramatically reduced price and being sold 'as is' .... the owners do not have the desire to do the needed work - which again is extensive.  The home is currently vacant. 

What do you think? Would you do some of the items above & replace the carpet or drop the price and sell 'as is'?

I know I've blogged about this before but I think it bears repeating!  I was looking through MLS tonight and was frustrated with some of the photos I was seeing (when there were photos) so I thought I would do a random sampling.  My search criteria - listings $1M & over... no area, no specific DOM - just homes over $1M.  Each of these is from a different home - all of them are from the FIRST 10 in MLS!

Please tell me these aren't 'staged'... both look to be primarily vacant.  This second one I really wanted to use the photos of the wallpaper in the next room, but I wanted to spotlight the cake & wine glass staging on the counter.... *sigh*

Remember, all of these are over $1M! 

This was the only photo for this property.  It does have a 1658 sqft home on it .... even as a tear down, there should be photos of the land itself... trees, ponds, etc...

I actually could have pulled more photos, but I wanted to keep them from varying homes & only out of the first 10 on the list.... apparently education will still be the key business plan for my company next year!

I've been watching (much like Julianna) and waiting wondering if I would ever get to be MeMe'd.... I think most people already thought I had been... (or so I was told).  Thanks Jackie for tagging me .....

So... what don't you know about me?  I blog so much I'm sure you think you already know so much...

1)  I am intensly spiritual, but not religious - I have issues with organized religions.  I have lived in the south most of my life and get frustrated with intelligent people not following the teachings of the bible, but rather their minister.  Jesus was a giving man who led the example of loving everyone, not just select people who followed whatever rules were set forth.  I like that philosophy.  I do not align myself with any religion, but rather respect that we are all children of God and try to live my life accordingly.... Read (or at least try to read) A Course In Miracles - it will fill in the blanks between religion and spirituality....

2)  Sounds like a contradiction to #1, but I am human.... I am either your best friend or worst enemy.  I am fiercely loyal, but when my loyalty has been taken advantage of, I am fierce.  I'm only 5ft tall and built more like a woman than a girl - make me mad and I'm a bit of Bill Bixby... 'Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry'... The good news, it takes a lot to push me here... I do feel most people are good people.

3)  While I was a stay at home mom for 14 yrs I was also a professional crafter.  I have been published in 3 national magazines for my crafts - the last and most notable Country Marketplace in April 2006 (my birthday month too!)  I was trained and certified by Donna Dewberry herself as a One Stroke Instructor.  On many occassion I was asked to mass produce my crafts for various companies and declined.  Most of my crafts were sold in Hawaii when we were stationed there - my husband was in the Navy. My ornaments still hang in the Governor's Mansion at Christmas time.

4)  I am addicted to soda...  I do drink Coke Zero at home, but honestly prefer the red can to the black one.  It is what I can do to save a few calories.  I probably drink close to 8 a day (more or less depending on the day).  The family joke is that my sister is a pot head and I am a coke addict - mine just comes in the form of a little red can.  I've tried to stop, but my kids actually asked me to start again... I'm just a happier person.  Anyone remember the commercials with the carbonation bubbles?  They almost make me giddy.... it's very sad.... but true!

5)  I love Vampire & Witch movies etc.  Vampires are my most often chosen Halloween costume & prior to getting braces a few years back I actually paid to have my dentist make me vampire teeth (removable) for the holiday.  Anne Rice's books are very sexy and I love to read them.  My yahoo screen name is actually ricesrowan after Anne Rice's book, The Mayfair Witches.  Rowan is the main character.  My best friend advised me there were a lot of similarities between Rowan and myself so it became a nickname.  My first corporation was called Rowan Enterprises because of this connection.  I do not feel this is in any way in conflict with #1. 

Ok, I was going to MeMe Julianna since I knew she hadn't been yet... but now who?  Please forgive me if you've already been MeMe'd.... I may have missed it!

Heather Chotard, Roberta Anderson, Tanya Veneble

I've been very interested in every comment made ... watching the pros and cons... now let me tell you the answer.... *drum roll please*

Another view.... (I probably should have added more to the top of the armoire, but wanted to keep the clean lines I had already established.)

The adjacent eat in kitchen - Does this help with the rug issues?  We used them throughout so they don't seem out of place and it adds a sense of more casual living. 

I've used this layout before.....  This was a downtown home.  Buyers had a hard time imagining how to utilize the fireplace because it was so off center.  It was listed for over 8 months prior to staging, less than a month after...

So why did I disagree with the re-stage by the agents? This layout would not appeal to most men.  Men who live in a high end home have high end TVs.  Don't think they don't think about them when they shop.  When you look at the fireplace - tell me how you would hang a larger flat screen TV?  The molding precludes this.  What may be difficult to tell from this shot is that the sofa and chair closest to the fireplace are nearly on the hearth...

This means that even if you got a smaller TV and mounted it, or removed the molding then the only two seats in the house that could actually view it would be the far chair and the end of the sofa.... This becons another problem.  If let's say the husband were watching Sunday football and the kids were playing in the backyard, or the wife were reading on the back porch, they would have to walk in front of the far chair to go in or out.

There is also only about 3ft between the wall and end of couch, while acceptable, not particularly desirable.  You also cannot see the approximate 4ft of dead space behind the couch and where the entertainment center was.  Because of it proximity to the seating arrangment, there really isn't anything that can now be done with those areas.  They are simply wasted space. 

I did come back and remove the armoire & add a sofa table.  The plant behind the chair was moved to the corner behind the couch.  After nearly 2 months of staging this home is still on the market and in my opinion will continue this way.  This set up, while a comfortable seating arrangement and more traditional in feel actually makes the room feel crowded and smaller than the other layout.  This home looks OK, but doesn't address function in real life. 

When we stage we must take that into account.  While we use the rule of thumb, 'if it's not there they won't notice it's not there' we must also pay attention to the demographics, lifestyle and desires of these clients.  If this is the only family TV watching space and if a man can't watch football on his big screen TV then they won't buy the house... that's my 2 cents anyway... lay it on me if you disagree...

Here is a subjective lesson... I staged this house & then agents at an open house re-staged it.  Can you guess which one I did & which one they did...

What do you like and dislike about each & why.... After you give me your answers, I'll tell you mine...

Ok... I look forward to your responses....

I posted last night a querry on how to comment on posts  (specifically before & after posts) where the stager really could have used some tweeking... the old addage, "you don't know what you don't know" thoughts apply.  All 8 comments this morning advised it would be good to have a 'critique' group where we could share our work and have other experts tell us what they might have done differently.  This way we can educate each other & help those who may not be completely comfortable with their skill level.

I thought if I was going to start this group it would need to be about more than just critiquing.  I am a huge fan of Steven Covey and always think of him talking about Sharpening your sword.... so that's what I've created.  The group will be specifically for educating yourself & others.  This is not an advsertising forum for for posts meant to educate the general population or agents.  It is about educating ourselves and honing our skills in this industry - something you may know I am passionate about! 

All comments must be done in a CONSTRUCTIVE way - no bashing or name calling will be permitted!  If I find you've done this, I will call you out on it.  I'm not good with politically correct and I don't find it helpful to beat around the bush... so call it like you see it, but be kind & with good intentions!

Here's the new group!  http://activerain.com/groups/SharpenYourSword