CASE STUDY: Why Real Estate agents stage their OWN homes

We work with Real Estate agents day in and day out. Agents refer us to their sellers for staging their client’s vacant homes for sale.

Although it is a Real Estate Agent’s fiduciary responsibility to provide their sellers with the tools and marketing strategies for a successful sale, some are occasionally hesitant to suggest that their clients invest in staging. Why would this be, you ask? Staging is statistically proven to increase the perceived value of the home, and our clients have netted up to 700% return on their staging investments this year.

The listing agent’s role is a delicate balance, and one of advocate, advisor and strategist, just to name a few. As they tasked with marketing a product that they themselves have no control over, with regards to location and condition, they can only make best-case recommendations to their clients. Some agents may not want to “rock the boat” and suggest their clients invest in updates or staging at all, in fear of losing the listing altogether.  

We feel that the savviest of agents are those with proven, repeatable processes for marketing and presentation of their listings, regardless of market conditions.

This month, we’d like to showcase a few agents who not only believe in staging and make it a part of their listing process, but have recently staged both a combination of their own personal homes, or investment properties, with great success. The locations range from Willowsford in Loudoun County, Alexandria, Ashburn and Reston. Let’s hear from them in their own words:

Why was staging important for your home/investment property? 

Rebecca Williams, Pearson Smith Realty:

Believe it or not, this was the first time I have ever hired a stager but must say I am a true convert.  I have sold most of my listings/homes empty but in this case I wanted to showcase the functionality and define the open space on both the main and lower levels of my home. While I had envisioned various uses for the sunroom, dining area, office nook, and the different spaces throughout my lower level, integrating these spaces cohesively proved challenging. I sought the expertise of Staged by Design to help visualize and unify these areas into a harmonious and cohesive layout.

Eric Pearson, Pearson Smith Realty:

Being an older home (1906) and vacant; it was important to incorporate staging/furniture to highlight the character of the home. This home has a very unique floorplan, so allowing the buyer to visual how the property could come together with furniture/decor, made an extremely positive impact during tours, etc.

Jeremy Browne, Century 21:

I believe staging is important for every listing.  It is very rare to see a "lived-in" home that will appeal to the largest pool of buyers in its immediate condition.  We had just finished a full renovation of this property, and it was vital to provide a vision for how it could look.

Rob Ferguson, RE/Max Allegiance:

It was such a nice renovation project that we felt that the staging would be the perfect complement to enhance all of the upgrades and allow a buyer to feel how they would live in the home.

How did staging affect the way the home showed, and/or feedback on the home? 

Rebecca Williams, Pearson Smith Realty:

I immediately began receiving very positive feedback regarding the staging of my home.  I sent colleagues and friends the pictures and they were stunned over how great my home looked, especially those who had spent time in my home prior to listing it.  Heck, after walking through the first time after the stagers left, I  joked with my husband that we were not going to move after all.  

Ultimately, the furniture choices, rugs, artwork, accents all brightened up my home (I have dark hardwoods, dark kitchen cabinets and dark granite) and made it feel cozy, warm and inviting.  I have hosted many open houses and the host of my open house told me that buyers were spending 45 minutes to an hour in my home and I ended up receiving several offers over asking price on day one!  This never happened when I had no staging/furniture in my listings. I credit the staging, 100%.

Eric Pearson, Pearson Smith Realty:

We received over list price in 3 DOM; so it is safe to say, staging was 100% worth it!

Jeremy Browne, Century 21:

Staging made the home feel inviting and complete.  Several people asked me if they could buy the furniture, as they loved the way it was put together!  The home sold the first weekend for $50,000 over list price.

Rob Ferguson, RE/Max Allegiance:

It gave the house a warm, home like feeling that we were hoping for so the house would have a personal feel.

Were there areas of the property you hoped that staging would highlight or help make sense of for buyers? 

Rebecca Williams, Pearson Smith Realty:

Yes, definitely.  Aside from making the open spaces more defined, I thought it was important to showcase/highlight the main level and lower level of the home for those buyers who were seeking multi-generational living spaces.  When we bought this home, we purchased it with the point of view of raising teenagers but more and more buyers are desiring spaces to accommodate family and I think the staging team nailed it.  

Eric Pearson, Pearson Smith Realty:

Leigh and her team made it a point to highlight the main level (home buyer first impression), the primary bedroom, and bathrooms. We trusted their judgement (they are the experts) and we believed they nailed it!

Jeremy Browne, Century 21:

Yes!  The main floor had flexible space, and I wanted it to capture that flexibility.  Leigh and her team did an amazing job of creating a flow from the kitchen to the dining to the family room.  The living room actually felt like a living room, and one that would be used, as opposed to a formal living room which seems to be dated at the moment.  The recreation room on the lower level was also laid out to maximize space and really helped to give buyers ideas for themselves.

Rob Ferguson, RE/Max Allegiance:

 Yes…the kitchen was nicely remodeled and had what we would consider a pantry/coffee bar/small seating area or office off the kitchen.  It would be hard to have a vision for this space without directing the buyer to ideas that we had for the space and the staging helped provide that vision.

Whether it’s your own home, listing or investment property, we can help elevate the home through intentional designs that MAKE YOU MONEY!

Click here for more information and a quick quote: https://www.staged-by-design.com/contact

2023 Color of the Year - home stager edition

Many paint companies have a tradition of forecasting a color each year. These colors are a prediction of what will shape our home in the coming year. Sometimes they hit the mark and other years, well, we wonder what they were thinking. For 2023 we are seeing a lot of, (gasp), red undertones! Our job as home stagers is to find colors that work well in most homes and are pleasing to most people. So as much as we love a good hot pink (we see you Pantone Viva Magenta!), we decided to share some of our own 2023 paint colors. They represent more of a classic, tried and true aesthetic, rather than a prediction of may or may not materialize with design trends.

Leigh - Moderne White, Sherwin Williams 6168

Photo credit: DVD Interior Design

Moderne White, SW 6168, is a color that is neither gray NOR white. With an LRV of 62, it's soft, and unobtrusive, while still feeling fresh and bright. It does have a green undertone, which causes the color to show blue/green in certain light. It’s a great, neutral color for any room and can be a great main area color for a home.  If you’ve been wanting white in your home but afraid the color will be stark and cold, this timeless color will give you that style you want but add a touch of warmth and sophistication.

Kim - Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore HC-154

Benjamin Moore Hale Navy is the truest navy paint color you can get. With an LRV of 8, it’s on the dark end of the scale and you will not see a shift in color with lighting. In other words, what you see is what you get. If you’ve wanted color but are scared to try color in your home, this dark blue is a timeless dark neutral that will last for years. Kim recently used in her own home for cabinetry and doesn’t regret it one bit. It’s the perfect color to add a pop but also keeping your home neutral, timeless and appealing to others.

Alison - White Dove, Benjamin Moore OC-17

Photo credit: Studio McGee

Benjamin Moore White Dove is a classic white that provides a little bit of warmth to any space. With an LRV of 83, it’s not a crisp, stark white. This makes it a perfect candidate for trim in any home. Some colors don’t play well with a stark white trim, so this is where White Dove shines because it looks bright and clean without being overly bright white. White Dove works in all homes and looks amazing with grays, beiges, blacks, blues, greens, and more. It also plays well with all types of woods and metals. It’s also the perfect white for painting furniture.

Marlo - Saybrook Sage, Benjamin Moore HC-114

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Greens are so calming. Saybrook Sage by Benjamin Moore is no exception. With it’s gray green hue, it provides a little bit of neutral to a room. This color is great for exteriors, and when used inside, can bring a little of the outside indoors. It brings an organic feel to any space or surface when paired with warm wood tones. This color would be beautiful as a kitchen island accent color as well.

Abby - Green Smoke, Farrow & Ball

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If you like Marlo’s green but want a deeper contrast, Green Smoke by Farrow and Ball is a timeless shade that can really go in any room and blend with any style! It adds a natural warmth and sense of calm to a space. If you aren’t afraid of color this is for you. It’s a bold timeless color that has been used in homes since the early 19th century. With it’s neutral tones, its not wonder it keeps on showing up. This color will allow natural wood and brushed gold to pop!

Amanda - Greek Villa, Sherwin Williams SW 7551

Photo credit: Nicola’s Home

Greek Villa by Sherwin Williams ia a fresh neutral option for almost any home. It can be used to brighten a space or make other colors pop. It’s a soft, warm white with an LRV of 84 and is extremely universal. This is very similar to the above mentioned White Dove. If you want to brighten your home but don’t want the stark white walls, Greek Villa is your best choice. It does have a slight yellow undertone so if you have a south facing room just note it will be quite a bit warmer color as opposed to a north facing room. However, it pairs beautifully with natural wood tones for a warm, organic feel.

Wendy - Evergreen Fog, Sherwin Williams SW 9130

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Feature Wall in Evergreen Fog

Evergreen Fog, Sherwin William’s 2022 Color of the Year, is still holding on strong with its neutral earthy tone. It’s beautiful for that pop of color or for that neutral backdrop. It’s got an LRV of 30, which means it will tend to hold onto its green meets gray with a slight hint of blue undertone. Wendy recently used on part of the exterior of her new mountain home because of its organic nature. The best part about this color is its versatility with styles. This color could be used for a coastal feel or when paired with darker colors it looks great with your mid-century vibes.

There you have it-our paint color picks for 2023 - or any year for that matter. These timeless classics will be a safe win for any homeowner. (However, we always advise homeowners to sample colors in their own homes as light plays a huge role in how a color shows in a home.). If you are looking for a refresh in your home, but don’t know where to begin, we offer color consultations for selling AND living! Just go online and book your appointment today.

Let us shine a spotlight on your home!

Why Stage A Home in a Seller's Market?

COVID brought on a myriad of shortages for 2021. The shortage of homes for sale has caused the real estate market to just go a little crazy, to say the least. It’s definitely a sellers’ market with little inventory and over the top bidding wars. Many are scoffing at the idea of home staging in this market because they think buyers are desperate to find homes. While this is true, we have many examples and statistics as to why you may want to consider the small investment in home staging before listing your home in today’s market. There may be money left on the table if you don’t…

The shortage of inventory is causing record multiple offers above asking price on homes. But just because it’s a seller’s market, does that mean any home will sell for multiple offers above asking price? The short answer - no. If a home has not been updated in over a decade, do not expect it to compete in today’s “crazy over listing price” market. Yes, it may sell but it won’t bring in top dollar due to the sheer fact the buyer will calculate in all those updates that need to be done.

In today’s market, your first step toward curb appeal is your online presence.

Pictures say a thousand words and in the real estate world it is the buyers’ first impression of any home. If your pictures don’t “wow” the client, it’s unlikely they will schedule a showing. If your pictures show years of neglect on updates, then you won’t see that high offer on day one. The buyer will simply move on to another home online.

Home sold in 2 days after staging!

Home staging allows the buyer to visualize themselves in the home.

According to the new 2021 survey from the National Association of Realtors®, eighty-two percent (82%) of buyer’s agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. If the buyer feels like it’s home, their desire for the house will drive their offer. This report also revealed that staging increased the sum buyers were willing to spend for a property. Twenty-three percent (23%) of buyers' agents said that home staging raised the dollar value offered between 1% and 5%, compared to similar homes on the market that hadn't been staged. Coincidentally, the same percentage of seller’s agents (23%) stated they received between 1% and 5% higher offers on home that had been staged. Let’s do the math on that, shall we:

Amounts are approximate depending on area you reside, size of home, and value of home. Home consultations are a service that provides you with a list of needed updates/repairs that the homeowner should consider. Full service staging is bringing in furniture for a vacant home. Both avenues give a nice return on investment.

So based on the math, you don’t lose money. You make back your investment plus gain an extra profit - the amount depends on your list price, and whether the home has been properly prepared.

Real estate agents have good reason to stage too

Don’t sacrifice your proven, repeatable systems even in this strong sellers’ market. That includes professional photography AND staging. This sellers’ market will not last forever, and it’s important to show how you differentiate yourself and your listings from other Real Estate Agents.

Don’t forget that a home that sells for more also increases YOUR commission, in addition to adding to the equity in your sellers’ home.

If you are a homeowner and/or realtor in the Northern Virginia area, take a look at this video that Owner, Leigh Newport, made in February. She makes great points to support the reasons behind staging in a sellers’ market.

It stands to say that the small investment in home staging can bring in a nice return on investment (ROI). In the past we’ve always referred to home staging being less than your first price reduction. In today’s market, you’ve got to consider the amount of money you are leaving at the table by NOT staging. Go ahead - be the best house on the block!

Interested in more tips and advice about home staging? Porch.com has a great Q&A article from home stagers around the country (including our very own Leigh Newport!). Check it out here: Real Estate Photography, Home & Virtual Staging Q & A: Tips & Advice

If you need help being the best, book an online appointment with us and allow us to shine a spotlight on your home!

5 To-Dos for a Quick Listing

The Spring selling season is almost upon us. Are you ready? With limited inventory on the market, the home selling/buying process is moving very quickly. If you are needing to put your house on the market in a quick time-frame, we have come up with 5 things you need to do before listing. These are all very economical tasks you, as the homeowner, can do in a short time frame that will increase the salability of your home.

De-Clutter

Our home revolves around our lives. Life gets messy - especially with kids. But when selling a home, let's edit some of the items we use on a daily basis. We don’t really need buyers seeing our every day lives spilled out on the countertops of our kitchens and bathrooms. AND buyers don’t really want to see evidence of someone else living in the home.

Furniture Placement

If you can't see it, you can't sell it. Draw attention to the focal points of the room and make sure you have have ample walking space from room to room. This may mean moving some furniture out into storage while your house is on the market.

Clean, Clean, Clean!!

We are talking Spring cleaning on steroids. Make sure to take into consideration things you don't normally think about on a regular basis like air vents, light fixtures and grout. Sometimes buyers can see past clutter but they can’t see past the cleanliness and condition of the home.

Adding Style

Adding a few inexpensive light touches makes a huge difference. New pillows always freshen up an old sofa. New white crisp bedding and towels give off that clean hotel appeal while adding style to a space.

Curb Appeal

Realtors spend several minutes at each home trying to open the lock box and get the key to the home. During this time buyers are analyzing ALL the details of the front exterior. First impressions are huge! Items you can tackle in this area include trimming those overgrown bushes, adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door, giving the flower beds a fresh appearance with new mulch, and planting seasonal flowers.

The market is definitely crazy right now and things are moving at a fast pace. These 5 things will put you in the right direction toward a quick listing date. If you are feeling overwhelmed or your house needs a little TLC before hitting the market, book a home staging consultation with us. We will give you a room by room priority list of what you can do to spruce up your space within your budget. We can shine a spotlight on your home!

Brilliant Ideas for Creative Work Spaces in Your Home

Working from home and distance learning has slowly transformed to a more permanent situation for families across the country.  Can you believe it’s been almost a year since our temporary anecdote of self-quarantine began? (GASP!)  As time has gone on, so has life.  Homebuyers today are showing tremendous grace to the makeshift dining room offices and the random desks in the living room.  However, what if you could enhance your home by transforming under-utilized spaces into functional work spaces?  Not only could you move your office out of your dining room, but you could wow homebuyers AND show off the functionality of your home.  We have rounded up some brilliant ideas for creative work spaces in any home that are inexpensive and can be completed in a weekend.

The “Cloffice”

First off – The “Cloffice”.  This is the 2021 trendy term for an office in a closet.  Closets make great work spaces.  They already have plenty of storage solutions available and they allow you to close the door to work when 5 o’clock hits (which is a must for mental health).  There’s two ways a “cloffice” can be achieved.  First off, if you have a large walk-in you can simply add a desk like this:

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If you don’t have that large walk-in (which let’s face it - many of us don’t), you may have a closet in a guest room or a basement that you could completely transform into your new “cloffice”.

Photo by: Nesting With Grace

Under the Stairs

If you have stairs in your home, there’s probably a large likelihood you have some dead space underneath that could be utilized.  This makes a great nook to create your home office area.  Just a simple trip to the home improvement store is all it takes to transform this space into a functional work space.

Photo by: Adore Magazine

Where There’s a Wall There’s a Way

If you’ve got an empty wall in your home, you can create a functional work space.  Whether it’s a big space or a little space we’ve got you covered. 

Floating shelves are a great way to utilize a small space.  You can easily create one with a board and shelf brackets.

Photo by: DIYHairpinLegs.com

If you have a larger wall space, this option is both temporary and inexpensive for creating multiple work spaces in one place.  AND you can take it all with you when you sale your home.  It’s a win-win!

Photo by: Jones Design Company

This “Murphy Desk” is a great solution to a tight space.  It simply can be closed up when not in use.  The functionality and the inexpensive price tag makes this a winner in our books.

Photo by World Market.com. Similar product - here

Dining Room Solutions

If you simply do not have anywhere else to go in your home, there are ways to make your dining room functional for an office space while still keeping it true to its original purpose.  These ideas will help minimize the office clutter and allow you to still have that family meal on occasion.

If you have a china cabinet/hutch in your dining room, this is a functional option to store office supplies and files out of sight.  This may mean packing up Grandma’s china for this temporary solution BUT Grandma will be proud of you for reimagining the space for these unprecedented times.

Photo by: iheartorganizing

Don’t have a hutch?  Consider using rolling carts or file boxes and create a rolling office.  When at work you have your supplies and when 5 o’clock comes you simply roll your office under the table.  Out of sight out of mind.

If you have an old hope chest/toy box, you can create an office in a box.  Martha Stewart has a great tutorial on how to convert this empty chest into functional office storage.  AND it can double as a cute bench when you’re off the clock.

Photo by: Martha Stewart.com

Get creative, start re-evaluating the spaces in your home to become more productive both in school and work. And when it’s time to put your house on the market, you will have creative, intentional spaces to show off to buyers. If you need some assistance, we are here to help! Feel free to contact us for a redesign consultation. We also provide online consultations if you live out of the area or feel more comfortable with the virtual format. We would love to help you re-imagine your work/home life spaces!

*Disclaimer: This page contains  affiliate links which means Staged by Design® may earn commission if you use links provided

Home staging and Dating Have More In Common Than You Think

It’s February and love is in the air. Did you know that when selling your home, you are essentially courting your buyers? Think about it as the most expensive first date you can imagine. Blow this first impression and you’ll have more than unreturned phone calls to deal with! So, how do you channel that first date anxiety into preparing your home for sale?

Before your date, do a little soul searching

Pull out the proverbial full length mirror and prepare to be honest. You must scrutinize your home with a buyer’s eye. Stand in the doorway of each room and take pictures. This is what buyers will see online, where you have less than 3 seconds to grab their attention. Is there more furniture than open space? Does it look inviting? Your online presence is the first step to curb appeal.

Make it about them - not you.

Just as you would be selective with your fashion accessories, the same idea applies to your home. Pack up the knick-knacks, personal photos and breakables. Your goal is for the buyer to be able to envision themselves in your home, and de-personalizing and de-cluttering is key.

Reveal your strengths, not your weaknesses

When selecting the look for your big night, determine your best feature and highlight it. Do the same in your home by creating a focal point in each room. Create a conversation area around it, or use it as inspiration for what colors or furnishings should remain in the room.

If you find that you’re still not sure where to begin, Professional Home Stager takes on the role of the trusted girlfriend; sharing your goals, being supportive, yet brutally honest when a complete makeover is needed. They can do as much or as little as you like. If it’s your furnishings that could prevent your home from looking it’s best, they offer accessories and furniture for rent, and provide much needed direction for what it will take to sell your home for more money in less time.

The Advantages of using Luxury Stagers for Model Homes

Have you ever wondered what is the difference between a model home and staged home? Aside from cost and turnaround time, there’s really very little difference. The goal is the same for both - to promote the home in such a way the buyer can visualize living there and fall in love with the space. However, the process in which the end result is achieved is different between the two. We want to give builders the insight on the advantages of using luxury home stagers for their next model home.

In this video Leigh explains the differences and ADVANTAGES of using luxury home stagers to furnish model homes before they hit the market.

Builders can pay up to $100,000 for a one-of-a-kind look for their model homes. Everything in the home is custom curated and designed for the home’s aesthetics, from the window treatments down to the soaps in the bathrooms . In the end, the builder either has to sell the home completely furnished or try to liquidate the furnishings. We as luxury home stagers have the ability to create that same customized look at a fraction of the cost.

Partnering with a luxury home staging company to market your next spec or model home allows you to utilize the furnishings on a rental basis, vs. purchasing. This will cost you far less than the upfront costs of a design company, AND you would not need to liquidate the furnishings once the home sold, recouping only pennies on the dollar. We offer customized options based upon your desired rental term, or even month to month.

Even though you will be in a rental contract you can be assured you will STILL receive a customized look appropriate for your demographic and price point. As a luxury home stager we know the design trends that sell homes. With enough lead time, we can provide new inventory that will fit the style of the home and provide you with the look you are wanting to achieve, although for us it would be a matter of a few weeks. Quality, attention to detail and the volume of furniture provided, differentiates us as luxury home stagers.

Staging packages are customized to meet your needs, and flexible timing regarding installations are offered. The staging itself takes place in only one day, allowing you to market the property or community sooner.

Partnering with luxury home stagers versus interior design/model home specialist companies provides economical choices with faster turnaround time. The end goal is mutual - selling the home and/or community. Feel free to browse through our portfolio to see previous projects. If you are a builder, we would love to partner with you for your next model home. Contact us today and LET US SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR HOME!