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

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.

Investor Flip now Professionally Staged for sale by Sensational Home Staging

This investor flip in Arvada, CO was nicely done and has some pretty interior features to the floor plan. The "staging" that was done was not on par with the price of the property or the feel so we were asked to come and professionally Stage the house - and the end result is night and day. Professional Staging makes a HUGE difference and the old adage, "If you cannot do it right, don't do it at all" resonates with this project.

High-End Home Staging - Greenwood Village Colorado - Sensational Home Staging

This custom property needed color and visual appeal for buyers online and in person. We used pops of orange to offset the neutral grays and creams - and the end result is a sophisticated Staging that appeals to the target buyer.

Staging project - Centennial CO - Mixed-Media Staging - Handson Staging with added Decor and Furniture

Mixed Media staging - using what the seller had and adding furniture, decor and artwork to really help this house come alive for buyers!

Hands-on Mixed-Media Staging - Castle Rock CO - Sensational Home Staging

Some homeowners have need of artwork and décor to help add color and visual appeal for buyers. This property also needed some furniture in the living and dining room - and we used what the homeowner had for the other rooms - moving pieces around as needed. The end result is a house that will appeal to buyers looking for a nice size house in a suburban neighborhood. It took work to bring this house alive and we were pleased with how it turned out.

Staging and Selling in the Winter - by Jennie Norris, Owner of Sensational Home Staging

Staging and Selling in the Winter

by Jennie Norris, Owner of Sensational Home Staging

Staging a house can become challenging in the winter when the landscape around the country does not look that great - dead grass, spindly trees with no leaves, two-tone colors with snow and dirt. In fact I believe winter time is the toughest time of the year to sell when dealing with curb appeal. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may have lots of green and warmth this time of year, or deal with the barren landscape. When there is snow on the ground, it does look pretty, but as the snow melts, you are often left with bald patches of dirt, icy or muddy streets, and little color in the yards with deciduous trees that have no leaves.

So how do you add that curb appeal necessary for Selling when Mother Nature seems to have another plan?

Here is an excerpt from an article entitled "Home Staging Tips for Every Season" where expert and my personal mentor, Barb Schwarz, was interviewed by AOL online (http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/07/20/home-staging-for-every-season/

Home Staging Tips for Winter:

• Keep your place warm. You want the house looked at! If you aren't living there or even if you are, spend the money to keep it warm. They will walk out if it's too cold," says Schwarz. "And that means no sale." Trying to save money by keeping your house cold and not heating it properly is a turn-off to buyers.

• Keep lighting in mind during the winter months. Winter means it gets dark earlier, so put lighting on timers inside and outside the house. Every room in the house can be on timers, as it welcomes buyers into a room and you want them to keep walking and checking out the house.

• Just because it's winter doesn't mean you shouldn't have flower boxes and greenery at your front door, in pots. On the contrary, it's really warm and welcoming. Just make sure they are seasonally appropriate.

• Keep snow off the back patio and front porch. You want people to go out and see the back and front of the house and the patio and yard, too. Go back to your back fence and see what does the back of your house looks like, does it look boring? You can keep flower pots by the slider doors, as it softens the look of the house in the gray winter.

• Don't forget to put out the summer photos of your great outdoor deck, so people know what it will be like in warmer months.

Here are some added tips:

• Invest in some annuals or perennials that like the cold weather and put them in pots or line the walkway with them. Some of the best annuals for color that like the cold are pansies, primroses, kale (cabbage), and emerald greens (arborvitaes). Think not just about adding green bushes, but add color with annuals that will survive in your climate. If you are not sure, consult with your local landscape supplier and ask what you should put in those pots in the front and back yards.

• Remove hazardous ice from walkways, streets, etc. - this could pose a slipping hazard for a potential buyer and you want to avoid potential issues arising from a buyer that falls on your property. Plus, it makes it look like you care about your house when you have taken the time to remove the ice and piles of snow so that the house is easily accessible.

• Add outdoor cushions to your chairs that may be outside for color and appeal. You can have a fireplace set up on your patio or deck where when the nights are not too cold, you could convey enjoying a nice cozy fire outside.

• When the outside is lacking in color, make sure you have plenty of color elements INSIDE your house to balance out the bleak. Use accessories and layers of color to help create that buyer appeal and transition from the outside to inside. If a house is bleak on the outside, and then on the inside has white walls, tan furniture and beige carpet, it is blah and boring. Using artwork, fabrics, throws, pillows and accent decor can help create an inviting look for buyers.

• Finally, if you are thinking of putting your house on the market in the winter, make sure to share photos of your house and yard that you have taken during the spring, summer and fall so buyers can see what the yard looks like when it is in bloom.

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For information on getting your house show ready, contact Jennie at 303-717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE. With over 3,000 houses Staged successfully, Jennie has the expertise and ideas to help you achieve your goals of a successful sale. http://www.sensationalhome.com/

Mountain Property - Conifer, Colorado - Staged and under contract in 1 day! Sensational Home Staging Success!

This property was updated and looked great but had not received a solid offer after three weeks on the market. Location challenges aside, the house had a nice layout but some unusual features like 5 doors leading outside from various rooms of the house. Staging was used to help define the size and use of rooms, and the evening the Staging was completed a Buyer saw the house and made an offer that is a keeper!

Cute remodeled house near Stapleton - Updated and Staged to define size and use for buyers - Sensational Home Staging Succeess!

This house was updated nicely but buyers were having a hard time picturing how to place furniture. With limited space and open design the Staging helped to clear up the visual challenges and add some visual appeal for buyers.

Gorgeous Denver Remodel - Upscale Property - Sensational Home Staging

This beautiful craftsman style house was remodeled nicely inside but needed to dazzle buyers. Enter Sensational Home Staging who brought inventory that highlights the best features of this property to make it appeal to Buyers.

Greenwood Village Property - Investor Remodel comes alive with Sensational Home Staging touches

This property was in dire need of some warmth and appeal for buyers. Priced at a higher than median price for the region, this property needs to attract buyers and Sensational Home Staging had just the remedy to help the rooms come alive with color and appeal.

Fall Colors Inspire Staging - Sensational Home Staging and Seller gets Success

I just love using fall colors for Staging - these rooms come alive with the pops of orange and yellow! This property SOLD within 10 days after Staging was completed.

Sensational Home Staging - Littleton Property Bef & After Staging! Now will be listed for TOP dollar because of how it shows and the views the property has!

Our latest Staging project is an investor remodel/flip in Littleton. The house has been totally transformed with the work the investor and his team put in to make the house shine. The Sensational Home Staging Team put the finishing touches on the property with our Staging to highlight the key rooms. When we finished, the seller remarked that he might be able to actually list it for MORE than planned - another $30-40K!! THAT is the power of Staging!

Suburban Residential Property Staging - Highlands Ranch CO - Staged to help Showcase the floor plan and attract Buyers

This property is located in a suburban area of Denver - and needed Staging to help define the size of rooms and counter balance the red drapes and custom paint colors left by the Sellers. Now Buyers can see the potential for each room - and visually the house presents much better to the buying public.

Urban Condo - Denver - cute hipster condo area Staged and for sale

This condo is located in a hip location in Denver - close to shops and downtown - and in a secure building. The Staging helps buyers see that the rooms are large enough for full groupings and the icing on the cake is this property has been remodeled with today's buyer in mind!

Great remodeled property in Thornton

Check out the before and afters of this remodeled property in Thornton - in a great family neighborhood. Went under contract immediately following our Staging - another success!

Should You Stage or Let it Go? by Jennie Norris - Sensational Home Staging

Should You Stage or Let it Go?

By Jennie Norris, ASP Master®, IAHSP-Premier®, ASP-SRS®, ASP-REO®

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

Seller you got to let me know

Should I Stage or Let You go?

If you say that you are fine

Your house will sit a longer time

So you got to let me know

Should I Stage or Let you Go?

It's always please oh geez

A buyer knows just what they see

Your want your house to sell like that

And you want it off your back

Well come on an' let me know

Should You Stage or let it go?

Should I Stage or let you go now?

Should I Stage or let you go now?

If I go you will be sad

An' if I Stage you will be glad

So come on and just be bold

Get it Staged and get it sold!

This classic 80’s tune by The Clash was on the radio recently and lyrics started changing in my head as I thought about the power of Staging. Nationwide, the real estate market is not as swift as it was this time last year because there is more inventory available and more people are able to enter the market because of gains from last year. Coupled with rising interest rates and last year’s Sellers market is been replaced by a more traditional market. As much as we know about how Staging helps a house sell – it is still befuddling to me that Realtors will put a house on the market when it is really not ready to show.

Staging is an up-front investment to maximize the rate of return on the sale. It’s a marketing and financial tool to ensure a seller gets the MOST for the sale of their house.

FACT: When a Seller does not invest the time and dollars to Stage their house for sale, they don’t keep the money they did not spend. They LOSE it on the backend with either a lower starting list price, or a lower offer, or price reductions! And the loss they take is usually 10-20 TIMES the Staging investment! A typical Staging consultation ranges from $125-$450 in most markets. When this detailed summary can help a Seller net 5-20% MORE from the sale of their house, don’t you think it is a smart investment? Staging Vacant houses is also an investment up front that helps the house sell sooner than later. 

The investment in Staging is always less than a price reduction - or lower starting list price!

Realtors: Your Stager makes you more productive, makes you look more professional and takes the time you don’t have to work with your Seller. And your Stager can be a source of referrals for you too – this past year I gave out 8 referrals for listings or buyers to partner Realtors as a way to say, “Thank you” for their business. I don’t expect anything in return except to continue to work together.

Sellers: Your Stager helps you know exactly what it will take to make your house appeal to the MOST buyers – and therefore get the best offer. Don’t be afraid to have someone come in and help you. There is nothing “wrong” with how you live in your home – but you are selling your HOUSE – not your home – and that requires being able to step back and consider your property through a buyer’s eyes.

So don’t sit on the market longer than you need to with a house that does not show as well as it could. Stage it – and get it SOLD for the best price!

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For help getting properties in the Denver region Staged and SOLD give Jennie a call - 303-717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE.  www.SensationalHome.com

Remodeled and Staged - Broomfield CO. . . under contract in record time!

Lakewood - Sensational Home Staging - Remodeling and Staging Project!

Check out the transformation of this house - from remodeling to Staging - Sensational Home Staging was part of the process from the start. We helped make recommendations for flooring, fixtures, paint colors, counters and backsplash. The end result is a nicely updated property - and the Staging is the icing on the cake that makes the house come to life! Expecting to hear good new about this sale - with a quick offer that puts the property under contract in record time!

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

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.  ©2013 Jennie Norris and Sensational Home Staging.