High-end Home Staging - Denver - Cherry Creek Village - See the AFTER pics from one of our Staging projects!

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

Downtown Denver property - not sold on the market - Staged and under contract and closing in less than a month!

This property is right downtown in Denver - but sat unsold in a HOT market. Enter Sensational Home Staging - we Staged this property and it went under contract right away!

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.

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!

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.

Staged and already Under Contract in a Week! Sensational Home Staging Success

This remodeled property near DU was Staged and under contract right away! The house remodel was tastefully done and the Staging helped present the rooms for buyers online and in person. Location was a challenge for this property as it was adjacent to Hwy 25 - so getting an offer quickly is a great success!

Investor Flip - Denver - The Highlands-Sunnyside Area - Sensational Home Staging Success

Check out the before and afters of this bungalow - totally remodeled by an investor and now on the market for sale. Staging helps define the size and purpose of the rooms for buyers.

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!

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.

Sensational Home Staging Success - adding color and decor to base furniture pieces helps this house come alive for buyers!

Sensational Home Staging Success - adding color and decor to base furniture pieces helps this house come alive for buyers!

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

Sensational Home Staging took this property from plain to pizzazz with Staging!

Selling and Staying on Trend: Kitchen Remodeling Trends and Tips

Selling and Staying on Trend:  Kitchen Remodeling Trends and Tips

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

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

When selling a house and updating or remodeling the property it is important to always consider the BUYER'S point of view.  What do today's Buyers expect to see in a house for sale?  In my 12 years as a professional Home Stager one of the biggest mistakes I have seen Sellers make is putting in colors and styles of upgrades THEY like when updating a house they are selling. 

I had one client put in blue Corian counters in their bathroom because their favorite color was blue and they liked the Corian material.   It was a huge mistake - and costly because not only was it a waste of money to do that "update" but it was not broadly appealing to buyers and actually hindered the sale.

I have had clients freshly paint walls a custom dark color when they know they are putting their house up for sale.  This again is a mistake because we never know who the buyer is for the home, and that dark color could be one they dislike, plus it makes the rooms feel smaller and darker in photos and in person, which hinders a sale.

This article on updating kitchens I found very interesting and wanted to share it on my blog.  It gives today's trends for kitchen remodeling and updating which is very useful for any homeowner that wants to stay on trend either for personal use or for selling now or in the near future.  It addresses not only counters and appliances, but cabinets and flooring.  No matter if you are on a budget for updating or can afford to do a complete overhaul, there is key useful information in this article.

The link is provided below for the article put out by RIS Media.

http://rismedia.com/2013-11-16/10-top-kitchen-remodeling-trends/?utm_medium=linkedin&utm_campaign=RIS-5&utm_source=twitterfeed