one of our recent Staging projects - in Denver, Colorado!  You can see more examples of our work at www.SensationalHome.com

Smaller Square Footage Property needed Staging to help Buyers Visualize how to arrange furniture and use the space. Sensational Home Staging Success!!

This house was on the market with no offers prior to Staging.  Once we Staged the main rooms it helped Buyers to see how to arrange furniture and how to use the space.  AND the seller got an OFFER almost immediately! 

Recent Staging Project - Parker Colorado Beauty - Bef & Aft pics show the difference Staging makes!

Click the link to see before and after photos of a recent Staging project we completed for a vacant upscale property in Parker, Colorado.  The house has been on the market a while - and a new listing agent took over the listing and brought us in to Stage.  Before Staging Buyer complaints were that it was too dark and odd space upstairs in the loft area.  Now using light furniture and decor and Staging rooms to give a purpose, Buyers will have a much easier time picturing this as their home.

Sonado Place Staging Bef & Aft

Before & Afters - Jersey Street - Denver - Mixed Media Staging - using what the seller has and adding decor, art and furniture as needed

Virtual Staging - Selling a House is NOT the time to Air Brush for Perfection - by Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP, Owner of Sensational Home Staging

Virtual Staging – Selling a House is not the Time to Air Brush for Perfection

Virtual Staging – Selling a House is not the Time to Air Brush for Perfection

 

by Jennie Norris, ASP Master®, IAHSP-Premier, BTS, REO, SRS

Owner, Sensational Home Staging, Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

IAHSP International Board Member

In the world of fashion, models, Hollywood, and the media – much of what we see is not real. Lighting, clever stylists, and make-up can drastically alter the appearance of the model or subject. Then add in the common practice used in print media of air-brushing out flaws, and the person that is featured in the photo spread often does not resemble that at all in real life. In recent years, we have all read or seen actresses criticizing magazines for doing everything from altering their size, elongating their legs, deleting scars or cellulite, and adding things like abs and muscles.

All this is done with the magic of the computer, software and clever person with the mouse.

We know when we look at a person in a magazine that 99% of the time they don’t really look like that in person. We love to see the tabloids actually catch these models or actors in real life with their messy hair, real bodies and flaws. It reminds us that there are many clever things that can be done with a computer and software specifically designed to alter photographic images.

Although we accept this action in the world of fashion and Hollywood, we should not accept this as an acceptable trend for Real Estate and Home Staging.

Virtual Staging. This is where vacant rooms are “Staged” using images of furnishings and décor that are not real. The rooms are not truly Staged – as they are done by a person at a computer, not by a trained expert in the house. For some they may feel this is an alternative to having to invest in real Home Staging. However, the savings they get may actually end up costing them far more in legal fees or reputation than if they Staged it properly in the first place.

Photos do help sell a house, but how do we know that the images and dimensions in a “virtually Staged room” are accurate? How can we be sure that certain flaws have not been removed? Since Buyers are not imaginative, can we trust that they can translate what is in a little photo to a large empty room? Most importantly, editing out flaws or altering the appearance of rooms in houses for the sole purpose of selling the house is bordering on deception. In the opinion of professional Stagers everywhere, the photos of the house should be of the real house – not a virtual representation of the house.

Another problem is that Buyers will eventually go and see the house in person, and imagine their disappointment when the photo they saw online is not the representation of what they see in person. Their energy will drop, and they will not be able to translate the excitement of nice furnishings found in a virtual photo to a droll, empty room that echoes. Buyers need to experience a real Staged house with real furnishings and décor to not only know if their own furnishings will fit, but they need it in order to have a real emotional connection. That connection is what sells the house and makes it a home.

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR®) Magazine came out with an article (July 30, 2009) admonishing agents and Sellers to not give credence to the idea of virtual Staging. It is a risky proposition that could find itself being worked out in a court of law with disgruntled Buyers who felt deceived by a clever computer tech with some slick software.

The link below contains the full article and there is an excerpt below.http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2009073002?OpenDocument

“However, there are some potential pitfalls to virtual staging, including liability issues. There is the chance, for example, that a buyer will challenge whether the digitally altered photos provided an accurate rendering of the space. After moving in, the new owner could make a case for misrepresentation of the property against the real estate practitioner.

Another problem is the lack of control that sellers and practitioners experience in terms of color schemes and accessories. Virtually staged properties tend toward neutral tones and commonplace art and window treatments that could turn off some prospective buyers.”

(Virtual Staging: Brilliant but Maybe Dangerous? Daily Real Estate News -July 30, 2009)

The moral of the story is virtually clear. With Home Staging, ensure an honest and accurate representation by entrusting your house or listing to a trained professional ASP® Home Stager, and not the clever skills of a computer jockey equipped with a mouse. That mousetrap could prove fatal to the purchase, the Seller, and even a Realtor’s career.

Custom Beauty near DU - Denver Colorado. . . Sensational Home Staging success!

This is one of our recent Staging projects of a custom, new-build property in Denver. The Staging is in line with the style of the property and also the seller's budget - the end result is a tasteful visual presentation of a beautiful property.

Littleton Townhouse - Staged and Show Ready and Multiple offers over list on the first weekend!

This townhouse has a nice layout with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, but a possible location issue with a busy street out back. The Sellers updated and prepped the property and the listing agent wisely included Staging as a key marketing and listing tool to help this property sell at the very BEST price. Properties sell in a strong sellers market - and they can sell for MORE when they are Staged. Don't leave $$ on the table - get the very BEST price for your property - Stage it before you list it!

Staged house sells for $45,000 MORE and the Sellers are super excited!!

Staging helps houses sell at the very BEST price even in a hot market. This property was full of things, cleared out, cleaned, Staged and listed for sale. The house was not updated, has some conditional issues, and it still sold at 10% MORE than list - and the list price was at the top of the range to begin with. This shows the power of proper presentation with Staging and professional marketing by the listing agent who did an awesome job getting the most $$ for her clients! The Staging was in line with the price of the house and the budget for Staging. It does not have to be over done to get an offer - as Staging is NOT decorating!

Staging Success - Small property comes alive with Staging to show size and use

This was a property in Denver that was sitting on the market unsold because Buyers could not see what would fit and many said nothing would fit in the small bedroom which clearly easily fits a twin bed with room to spare. End result - they went under contract 24 hours after we completed the Staging!

Solterra - Lakewood Beauty - Staged and under contract in a week after being on the market MONTHs unsold!

This property was on the market for many months unsold. With some unique interior features and no visual appeal, buyers just were not excited about this house. Seller switched listing agents to one that was very proactive with marketing and went the extra mile for his client to ensure the sale - and encouraged the seller to Stage the property. End result was the house going under contract a week after listing! Staging is a key marketing tool that helps houses sell in the quickest time and for the best price based on market conditions.

Denver condo - Highrise living near Lowry in Denver . . . remodeled property Staged and show ready!

This remodeled condo in Denver has a nice layout, features and amenities . . . Staged and show ready for the perfect buyer to purchase!

Littleton Townhouse - Staged and Ready for Sale!

Check out one of our recent Staging projects - a remodeled townhouse in Littleton that now has color and visual appeal to attract buyers.

Remodeled Property Staged and for sale! Sensational Home Staging

Remodeled Property - nicely updated and Staged by the Sensational Home Staging team! On the market now in the historic 5 Points area of Denver.

My House SOLD for TOO MUCH MONEY

My House SOLD for TOO MUCH MONEY

 

Jennie Norris, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP- Premiere, BTS, REO, SRS

Owner, Sensational Home Staging - Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

 

 

Have you ever heard those words come from a Seller? Neither have I. And yet there are Realtors and Sellers that believe they don’t have to Stage – the market is HOT and the houses will sell anyway. . . so why bother?

Think about it.
 
Staging helps houses sell at the very BEST price and that means in a HOT market the house can sell for well above list price.
 
Is that a bad thing? Why do some Realtors decide to not encourage Sellers to Stage their houses and just put it on the market knowing it WILL sell . . . and leave money on the table for their client?

Is it up to the agent to LIMIT how much the house will sell for and not allow the seller to get the MOST from the sale?
 
What about the Fiduciary Responsibility part of the Realtor code of ethics?

I had an agent tell me recently that he did not need to Stage properties in a certain price range because they sell fast and get multiple offers – and (here is the kicker) by NOT Staging these in-demand properties, he was helping control the real estate market from going out of control. 
 
Huh?

To that Realtor I would say, “You are not doing your job.” A Realtor’s role is to get the MOST for the sale of the house. It is not up to the Realtor to decide FOR their seller that they don’t have to prepare the house for sale and limit the potential sale price. To me that is a lazy Realtor that does not want to put the time and effort into properly presenting a house for sale because it does take time and effort to Stage. They advise Sellers they don’t have to do a thing because the house will sell – and it does. But not at the best price. Just because a house “will sell anyway” does not mean it does not need Staging. 
 
And to top it off – these types of Realtors are limiting their OWN INCOME! Since they are paid commission on the final sale price of the house, an agent that does not include Staging to help their seller net the MOST from the sale, is also limiting the amount of commission earned from the sale.
 
Is any of this smart business? NO.

Staging helps houses sell for more in any market – Hot, Slow, Appreciating, Depreciating. It is a proven fact. It makes me scratch my head when I still hear agents with limited thinking and beliefs about Staging.

In this day and age where many buyers are cash buyers, appraisals and loans are not needed so when a house is bid up it is not subject to appraisal value discrepancies or loan approvals. If a buyer does get an appraisal and the house does not appraise at the higher price, the buyers come to the table with cash. It is happening all over with low inventory and high demand for houses. Eventually the market will normalize and bidding wars will not be happening. Agents that are used to incorporating Staging as a standard listing tool will be poised to capture even more business.

Thankfully there are plenty of Realtors that understand the marketing strategy of Staging a house to ensure it does get the very best offer. I just had a house we Staged sell at over 10% MORE than list price – and the list price was at the top to start off. Should that Realtor have kept the added $45K from her sellers and not make the added $1,200 in commission? Smart Agent. Happy Sellers.

The bottom line is Stage it before you List it – and get the very BEST price for the sale.  

Denver Condo - remodeled and now Staged for sale! Sensational Home Staging Success!

This condo near Cherry Creek in Denver has been nicely remodeled but the smaller square footage was proving challenging for buyers. Sensational Home Staging tastefully Staged this condo to create visual appeal and help buyers envision how to use the space.

Investor Flip - Denver CO - Sensational Home Staging - Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

This property is near Lakeside in the Berkeley area of Denver - and is a 100 year old house that was updated prior to Staging. The Staging helps set the scene for buyers especially with some interesting features such as a low peaked ceiling in the master. Showing what can fit and how to use the space is crucial for buyers.

Hands-on Home Staging to help add Visual Appeal for Buyers - Sensational Home Staging - Denver

This house had core furniture pieces but some were dated and the décor was not appealing to the target buyer. We provided hands-on Staging services including coordinating moving of large furniture pieces to storage, and then set the scene using what the homeowner had with our décor and furniture added as needed. THe end result is a visually appealing property that is prepared for the target buyer.

Sensational Home Staging - adding visual appeal for buyers by Staging key areas of this property

Custom Castle Rock Home . . . Sensational Home Staging sets the scene for buyers!

The property has been on the market for a while - and no offers. The new listing agent contacted Sensational Home Staging to get some key rooms Staged for better buyer appeal. The transformation of the property is great - and the agents remarked, "WOW! This is a different house!" when we were done. (Note: Dining room set was sellers). Updated artwork, furniture and décor help create a totally different feeling in the house.

Sensational Home Staging - the power of Staging to help add visual appeal - Centennial CO property