DiY Staging Strategies
Carlisle1

DiY Staging Strategies Carlisle1

House History: This was a builder's spec house, vacant and on the market for over a year. In addition to paying 12 months of construction loan interest, the builder reduced the asking price at least 3 times in $20,000 increments. When we met, this builder was willing to discount even further - for a total of $100,000 off of the original asking price.

Also, the builder was preparing to auction the house - which would have substantially reduced property values (comps) throughout the subdivision. Not good for the neighborhood.

Yes, the original price may have been (much?) too high. But the fact that the house was vacant presented a serious barrier to selling.

Today's buyers are too busy (and let's face, too stressed) to spend the mental energy required to visualize past an empty room (looking smaller than its true size) to envision the full potential.

After Staging, buyer traffic increased dramatically and the house sold within 30 days - above the builder's bottom line, but not back up to original asking price.

A Vacant that was too Empty!

There were several challenges with the vacant master bedroom.

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Master Bedroom Before (cold & uninviting)	After Staging

Master Bedroom

It did not take much to turn this empty master bedroom around. We added a antique, queen size sleigh bed using 2 air mattresses (for looks, not for living!).

The lovely comforter set with extra pillows - gave us more wow. So we used more pillows. Dressing the bed for a photo shoot, not for real life.

We added a night stand with a lamp and art. A console table across from the bed so that the room decor remained balanced. However, we do not recomment complete symmetry. Similarly, overfurnishing a vacant bedroom defeats the Staging Strategy.

Notice the windows were left bare. This house had a beautiful view - and the builder was (finally) on a budget.

We added some greenery to finish off the look. Once staged, the room visually looked bigger - and the builder was selling size! The large master bedroom was dwarfed while empty.

Keeping online/MLS photography in mind, we carefully chose the bedding color scheme to complement the paint and carpet.

Family Room

The family room off of the kitchen has a beautiful fireplace, but is somewhat undersized. Here, the challenge was to add some furnishings without dwarfing the room.

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Family Room Before (empty & small)	After Staging (stylish & large)

Notwithstanding the gas fireplace, we added a lovely screen. And to really showcase the mantle, we several added simple yet sophisticated pieces (art & greenery).

To simulate a valance, on each of the two windows we used 1.5 yards of fabric. Elegant & economical!

Remember, you don't have to fully furnish a vacant house, but key rooms need vignettes, such as this family room.

To maximize room size, we used a stylish loveseat instead of a full sofa or sectional. Just enough to "vignette" the family room without the expense or effort of fully furnishing the room.

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Family Room Before (empty & small)	After Staging (a touch of sophistication)

From the second set of family room photos above, you can see the elegant console we added to the far left of the room. Lots of style without taking up too much space - resulting in the appearance of a larger room.

The intentionally minimalist staging here showed this room to its best advantage. And helped sell house smart! (tm)

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