A few weeks back I was called out to a consult with one of my best agents. She's usually great at giving advice to her clients. This time, she was at a loss to the best way to proceed. What could be done, on a small budget, to make a big difference?
The first photo is one of the current living room MLS photos. The second is the one I emailed her tonight to replace it. So, what changes were made and why?
This angle shows that the furniture is pushed to the outer walls with a large dance floor in the middle. It doesn't feel at all warm or cozy. We moved the piano, added a couple of large rattan chairs (gotta love Pier 1), a rug, coffee table and moved the end table & lamp from another place in this room. (The chairs look like they probably should have been moved a little farther apart, but it didn't feel that way in the home. I actually played with them for an eternity trying to get them just right... argh!)
When you first opened the door the side of both the sofa and loveseat greeted you. The layout did not feel 'conversational'. The furniture also felt really out of scale for this room. It made the room feel smaller than it really was. We took the loveseat upstairs to another bedroom that is set up as a home office. There was more than enough room & it actually helped make that room feel more cozy & purposeful!
Again, the piano was removed, furniture added. In addition, the curio cabinet was removed and the entertainment center was moved down - centered with the furniture.
The overall effects of the changes are that the room now actually feels like a gathering/family room. Buyers felt as if their furniture would not work in this home because the seller's furniture wasn't working! Now buyers will be able to envision their belongings here.... the room feels twice the size & best of all, it was very inexpensive!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocet and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. She now operates as the CEO of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign as well as an instructor for Certified Staging Professionals International Training Academy (CSPI) - the world's largest Staging Training Organization, and regularly speaks at the StagerList Expos and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
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It sure looks more cozy to me.
It is amazing how just a few pieces in the right space can make such a dramatic difference.
I love you stagers, I can't think myself into making a home look right.
Take care!
RJH
Lola - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the commentary. I think it may be helpful to some readers to know why we make the choices we make.
Jackie - Unfortunately photos just don't really show the change in how the room really feels. It feels so much more welcoming. While it looks great in photos, the finished product just feels really good.... Thanks for noticing!
Vincent - One of the things I love about my job is that it doesn't take a lot of money to create great looks. Sometimes it's the little things!
Mike - So few people can see beyond what is actually there. That's why it is so important for the home to be at it's best when it is first listed... the optimal selling time.
Robert - Well, you do jobs I'm sure I would not be able to keep track of! Variety makes the world go around....
Bevin - Thanks!
Roz - I always love before & after photos too! I have a habit of forgetting the before photos, so I was glad I actually had several angles of this room.
The rug and coffee table addition really defined the space. Great change to move the piano because it was distracting and not essential for the function of the room.
Kathy
Kathy R - It really needed to come out of there! I was really glad that the homeowner was willing to let it go. Often music lovers are the hardest to convince. It really changes the overall feel of the space....
Teresa - Thanks! I think it is great for sellers to know that it doesn't always have to cost a fortune. Sometimes things are really simple & inexpensive!
Kathy P - The hard part was really figuring out the best way to make it feel like a family oriented space with sufficient seating. It is small & there was just so much furniture that wasn't working. This is something that is easy enough for anyone to do!
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Thank you BB
Life is in the details...you pick the right ones to make a huge difference. Here's to getting it sold.
Linda - Thanks! I ran into this agent at the trade show yesterday and she remarked at how many more showings this home has had since the photos changed!
Melissa,
Thanks for sharing. Pictures do say a 1,000 words. Great statistics to convince unsure homeowners and Realtors alike. It's amazing what a redesign or staging job will do in a home. Now it is welcoming and so much better. Great job!