2015 was a great year for Sensational Home Staging and our clients . . . looking forward to a successful 2016!

A Timely Poem for Realtors and Sellers . . . . Twas the Month Before Christmas - Staging Style!

The Christmas Season is upon us . . . here is a Sensational Home Staging twist on an old classic . . . .enjoy!!

Why Vacant Houses Need to be Staged to net the Seller the MOST Money from their Sale!

“Vacant Doesn’t Make It”

I love this Staging Saying coined by Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging® and my personal mentor and Staging Mama! And she is absolutely right. Vacant houses do not feel larger to Buyers and they are not a blank slate for a Buyer to visualize living in with their things.

Consider this well known statistic: Less than 10% of the population can see things in a different way. That means a vacant house lacks appeal to 90% of the buyers out there!

This property would have sold without Staging - but because it was Staged and showed so well it got multiple offers and SOLD for $50K OVER List!

Why Vacant Does Not Make It!

1. Vacant rooms are cold and empty.
2. Buyers cannot tell how large or small a space is when it is empty – especially from a photo.
3. Buyers cannot tell what room they are looking at especially when all the rooms are the same paint color – and just a square space with a window.
4. Buyers will notice all the “minor flaws” in the room – scratches on the floor, baseboard that needs painting, etc. – because there is nothing else to look at in the room. They focus on the condition versus the possibilities.
5. Buyers may believe the Seller is desperate to sell since they moved out and are now carrying a mortgage on an empty house.

Why Stage?

1. Staging helps define the use and purpose of the room.
2. Staging helps highlight the focal points of the room.
3. Staging helps Buyers envision how to place their furniture in a room.
4. Staging helps add color and visual appeal for Buyers online and in person.
5. Staging gives Buyers something else to focus on rather than minor flaws and conditional issues.

Staging creates an emotional connection to the property that a vacant house lacks.

Just because the market is “hot” around the country does not justify putting a house on the market with the expectation that it will sell because what is being left on the table is MONEY for the Seller. Agents need to be providing information on every tool available to help a seller net the MOST from the sale of their house.

Getting an estimate to Stage is usually a complimentary service or provided at a nominal cost. How can a Seller make an educated decision about Staging when they don’t even know the price? Sellers need to get the information from a Stager that owns and operates a business, not from the Agent that does not know Staging pricing for THAT property.

So go ahead – LOSE money - leave money on the table by not Staging. Or be a WINNER and part of the proven statistics that show time and time again, a Staged house sells at a better price. According to National Association of Realtors – anywhere from 5-20% of your list price! Be an educated Seller and work with Agents that understand how to get you the BEST Staged and SOLD price!

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For help with Staging in the greater Denver market give Jennie a call (303)717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE and online www.SensationalHome.com. Jennie is also networked with Realtors that include Staging as a standard part of their listing services and pay for some or all of the service and she would be happy to provide their information to you. 

Messes Send Messages - What Does Your House or LIsting Say?

Messes Send Messages©

What does your house or listing say?

 

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

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

 

In life 90% of communication is non-verbal.  Body language, tone, expressions - they all convey our message more than what we actually say.

Houses send messages too.  They communicate with us whether we are living in, buying or selling them.  Some messages are of sadness.  Some are of depression.  Some of joy.  Whatever the situation, we can tell when people living in a house have had issues because the house looks neglected.  And for good reason - when life takes an unexpected turn, the last thing we make a priority is making sure our house looks fabulous.

Mess Causes Stress©.  Some of these homeowners don't realize that by living in disarray they are actually creating stress for themselves and stress can lead to a myriad of health issues.  The elimination of "stuff" actually helps de-stress not only the house but the person living IN the house.

When a house is for sale, what message is it giving to the buying public?  Messes Send Messages.  A house communicates and elicits emotions for a buyer who either loves what they see and feels a connection to the house or not.  When they feel that connection the house becomes a must have.  No connection means it is a must leave.  A messy house says, "No one cares about me," or "Don't buy me because you are going to find other issues with maintenance."  A house also send messages about the Sellers such as, "We have given up." or "We don't care about getting the most for our house."  And a house that has too much on display also sends the message that there is not enough storage in this house. That simple message can be enough to deter a potential buyer.

 

 

 

Look at any messy house photo and you just feel stressed looking at it.   Because "Mess causes Stress" when the house is not prepared for sale the buyer literally FEELS stressed standing among the chaos.  They can just look at a photo online and get that feeling of stress.  Is it any wonder these houses don't sell? 

It's so easy to address this issue when selling a house and yet the big question I have is why are so many houses in poor shape when listed for sale?  It's not like the Realtor doesn't see the mess.  At least I would hope they notice because it's right in front of our faces.  We can give the Seller a little break because when we LIVE with a mess we get used to it and don't see it for how bad it really is.  But anyone coming in from the outside who works in this industry HAS to know the house is a mess.  And when it's our job to get the seller the MOST money when selling a house, it is up to US to tell the Seller what they need to do.  

So why do so many houses for sale still look messy?

Is it because the Sellers don't "get it" that they need to address the issue?  Do they not see the value in making changes? Do they resist because it's overwhelming to them?  Or do they just not care.  I think it could be a combination of all of those reasons.

There are ways to get a Seller to cooperate - especially when they see the benefit for THEM.  They will get a better offer when their house shows its best, and their house will sell faster - which means they get to move on to the next phase of their life and into their new home - wherever that is.  As professionals serving sellers we need to be equipped with what to say and how to say it so that the Seller is compelled to make changes.  We also have to be ready to help them.  As a professional Stager, my team and I can and have transformed a house in a matter of hours.  It is a very cost-affordable investment with a high rate of return.  This takes the pressure off the Seller who may be overwhelmed with the move, with life and is unable to make decisions about what to do.  It's a wonderful service we offer - and it makes the Realtor's role a lot easier too because we are the ones doing the heavy lifting, packing, sweating, and setting the scene room by room.  The Realtor can be working on paperwork or meeting with a new prospective client and leave the Staging to us.

In all of this process, the key ingredient is to make sure the seller knows we care and this effort is being done FOR them.  When they know we care and want the very best for them, my belief is that they will get on board.  It might require hand-holding and helping them through a stressful time but in the end they are grateful for the results.  Their house can be presented as a stress-free environment for buyers looking for a connection to a place they can call home.

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For help in the Denver area getting your house or listing de-stressed and ready to buy, give Jennie a call.  Her Sensational Home Staging stage crew can make a big impact in a short time to help the house sell faster and at the best price.  303-717-7918  www.SensationalHome.com.  ©2015 Jennie Norris and Sensational Home Staging.

Highlands Ranch Home Staging - Sensational Home Staging

This house was sitting on the market unsold and needed some color and visual appeal to help buyers see the potential for the key rooms. Sensational Home Staging helped set the scene room by room to provide the needed appeal for buyers.

Urban Loft - Denver - Sensational Home Staging Success!

Check out the before/afters of this unique downtown Denver historic building property - located in the Ice House.  Adding furniture and décor helps make the rooms seem larger and adds visual interest beyond the brick and pipes.

Ken Caryl Beauty - Sensationally Staged and for sale now!

Check out the latest listing from Kellie Morrissey, Keller Williams Realty Success in Littleton CO - this beautiful 5 bed/5 bath, approx 6400 square ft. custom Tudor home in the Ken Caryl Valley North Ranch is for sale now!  Listed at $750,000.  Call Kellie at 303-877-2813 for information and to schedule a showing. 

PUNCH UP THE VISUAL APPEAL - Color and Decor infusion to help make house SELLABLE!

Look at these photos to see how important it is to add COLOR and limited DECOR to help add visual appeal. Before the walls were bare - needed artwork to help add color and appeal. The Kitchen counters were bare - and needed some interesting decor to help punch up the appeal. See how pulling decor in to these rooms help make them more visually appealing - in photos and in person.

Beautiful Executive Home in Ken Caryl Valley - Staged and for Sale!

Check out the latest Staging success from Sensational Home Staging!  50 Lark Bunting is Staged and for sale!  Listed by Art Recek, KW Realty.  If you or someone you know wants a great home in the KC Valley's North Ranch - make sure to check this one out!  Great floorplan, nice yard, updated and upscale amenities. . .