There are strategies in order to prepare specifically for the photographs as opposed to the Showing Appointments. Remember here that the MLS photos ARE the first showing, since we know that buyers are shopping online before they ever walk in the front door.

I’ve actually spoken to folks over the years who only want to purchase a brand new home because they ONLY want a brand new bathroom! When you give it some thought, I can see why people are concerned, freaked out, grossed out and otherwise turned off by other people’s bathrooms…

Most Realtors have some understanding of staging and agree that staging helps sell homes, so at some level, they implement “staging” into their seller’s marketing plan. Many Realtors believe that they have the information and understanding they need to properly advise their sellers on how to prepare their homes for marketing. Declutter, pre-pack, clear the surfaces, paint the walls neutral, make the beds and hang fresh towels. Done?

Top 10 reasons why you should hire not just any stager, but this stager.

UpStaging Designs

At the start of the corona virus lock-down, I was contacted by a seller in Asheville, NC about getting assistance with staging their home. They had decided to put the house on the market, hired a painter and needed help ASAP

Realtors know that ultimately price drives everything for home buyers in any real estate market. Buyers compare and contrast location, features, condition and price and make a buying decision when they believe they have found the best value among all the available homes.

Paint color is a personal thing. Some folks care, some never think about it. Some are completely confounded with the idea of selection. Some, right or wrong, are certain they can choose the right color for themselves or for when it’s time to sell the house.

You may have noticed that times have changed. 2020 has not gone as planned. Just when the economy was blazing and the spring real estate market had shifted into high gear for those of us in the business, COVID-19 tore through the world and turned everything upside down.

Last week, my husband and I finished up another renovation project! It's not a "tiny house" but it is pretty small by most people’s standards. 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, Eat-in Kitchen and a Family Room = 816 Square Feet. Small house doesn't mean small project though. We purchased this 1959 home from another investor who started, but did not complete the project.

An Occupied Staging Consultation is a 2 hour appointment with a seller who will "stage" their home for marketing themselves as opposed to having a professional stager do the work on their behalf or move out and have staging furniture replace the seller's personal property.

A colleague and friend who's had some great success renovating and selling properties around the Triangle recently completed his biggest project yet! Formerly a 1500 square foot ranch, this 1953 home in the Raleigh neighborhood of Ridgewood is now nearly 4000 square foot two story home with 6 Bedrooms, 4 Baths and a basement. It is designed for entertaining and family life with gorgeous finishes and details.

Over the past few months, my husband, Chris, and I have been working hard on our first real estate "flip" here in Cary, NC! It's been exciting, exhausting and rewarding. The ultimate staging project for me. The ultimate home improvement project for Chris. We stumbled upon this home and knew right away that this was the project we'd been looking for and it showed up at the perfect time and location.

One of my favorite things recently, has been to see how older homes have been renovated. New construction is plentiful in the Triangle, but builders have focused on the higher end buyer for in town locations. The 2000 sq ft flip seems to be popular! At least I hope so...my husband and are in the process of renovating a 1975 split near downtown Cary. (COMING SOON!) An older home can be transformed and I love to see the results. This most recent vacant home project in N Raleigh, 6108 Ivy Ridge Road has a great floor plan with beautiful finishing touches.

I recently got a chance to work with a builder, Olmstead Homesteads, who renovated a 1920 home in Boylan Heights in Raleigh NC. WOW! It was hard not to make this home look great. Here's a few photos of the staging. Love. Love. Love the kitchen and dining room the most! Address is 608 S. Boylan Ave in Raleigh. Won't be for sale long!

'Tis the season ... for real estate, if you would like to sell your home! Home staging is a big dilemma for folks who want to sell in December, but don't want to skip on the holiday cheer for their own family. Doing it correctly is always important, especially when over-doing it is a risk. Here are some things to keep in mind when staging your home for the holidays: