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.
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!
Sugar, Salt and Home Staging
“Don’t trust everything you see, even salt looks like sugar.”
Remember when you were a kid and you would pull a prank on a friend by filling the sugar container with salt, or vice versa? Upon first look, the poor friend couldn’t tell the difference. It was once he poured it on something and took a bite to realize it wasn’t what he thought.
Virtual staging is a lot like salt. It looks like sugar and is so enticing but once a buyer goes into the home it turns into salt. It’s simply not as inviting as the pictures online promised. (Feel free to take a look at one of our previous posts, Can’t Beat the Real Thing Baby, to read more of our thoughts between virtual and professional home staging).
Recently, we had the opportunity to stage a home that was previously listed on the market using virtual staging. This home showed well online virtually staged (though not to scale) but buyers were disappointed once they walked in the door to this country home. They were anticipating sugar but got a spoonful of salt instead.
This home had been on the market for over 6 months vacant. Then they paid to have it virtually staged. It still did not result in a contract. They reached out to us and we staged the entire main floor plus basement. The home then sold in less than a month. Proof is in the pudding folks – professional home staging allows the buyer to FEEL like they could live in a space once they walk in the door.
For example, take a look at the comparison between the virtual and professional staging of the living room:
The virtual living room was not staged to scale. The plant in the niche by the stairs touches the chandelier. The ceiling height is also depicted as very low due to the placement of the sofa and art. Our professional staging photo (though at a slightly different angle) shows the ceiling being much higher due to the vertical art above the sofa. It also shows the space is larger by allowing a sofa and two end tables. The niche is also more to scale showcasing the beautiful chandelier with a small ottoman placed in that nook.
The bedroom that was virtually staged looked great online. But once you entered the room you probably would not feel like you were in the same space. It seems much larger online due to the virtual placement of furniture. The render makes the window behind the bed seem centered on the wall. In reality the window is not centered. In addition, roman shades were added as part of the virtual staging. Window treatments typically convey with the home, but these don’t even exist. Talk about bait and switch! We actually staged this bedroom with a different layout since the windows were not centered on the walls. We felt this opened up the space more in the room. If we would have placed the bed in the same spot as the virtual render, there would be no room for an end table beside it.
The basement virtual stage was a bit more realistic, however, the main flaw was the scale of the room. The virtual furniture created a much smaller space than in reality. Take a look at the comparison below and see how much space the sectional and ottoman take up compared to our sofa and large coffee table. This basement probably did not wow the buyer once they walked in and saw it empty and cold. Furniture breathes life in the basement!
This home is just one example of many out there who choose to virtual stage. Yes, it’s less expensive. Yes, it’s quicker. BUT salt does not make the chocolate chip cookie amazing – it’s the sugar.
Next time, skip the virtual staging and spend less time on the market by choosing professional home staging prior to listing. Give us a call or book online for a home staging consultation and learn how we can make your house into a home that will sell. Let us shine the spotlight on your listing.
Can’t Beat the Real Thing – Virtual Staging vs. Professional Home Staging
Technology is in every area of our lives. Real estate is no exception. Buyers can “shop” for homes anywhere they have WiFi. And based off what they see online, they develop a list of potential homes they want to visit. Home staging has benefited sellers by creating beautiful spaces for beautiful online photographs. Buyers are not only looking for a new house but they are visualizing a home when they shop. According to the National Realtor Association, 44% of agents feel staging increases the dollar value offered for a home and 53% say staging decreases the amount of time a home is on the market. So if staging is so beneficial – which is better – virtual or professional home staging?
First let’s address - what is virtual staging? Virtual staging is the process of using software to enhance photos of an empty home.
BUT in reality – the house is still an empty box.
Professional home staging makes a connection between the home and the buyer. From start to finish, professional staging caters to the demographics of the buyer and furnishes the home with that in mind. Professional home stagers also use design principles to space plan accordingly to the design of the house. When buyers walk into a home they need to visualize the space for their needs. Seeing a home is also an emotional experience for a buyer. The feeling a buyer gets when walking into a home is a clear directive as to whether they love the home or not.
Professional home staging may be a little more expensive upfront but it’s proven track record of selling homes faster can’t be beat. Virtual staging is a risk. We have encountered countless clients who have started with virtual staging, then a price reduction and finally end up coming to us for professional home staging. Once our work is done, the house sells quickly but it cost the seller more time and money in the long run. All of this could have been avoided if a little more money up front were given to professional staging and the home could have sold for top dollar. You can’t beat the real thing. Professional home staging works.
If you are wanting to sell your home fast, give us a call for a home staging consultation. Or simply click here for our online scheduling form. We want to give you the real deal for real results!
70's Blast From the Past - The Brady's and Design
How many of you have been watching the HGTV seriesA Very Brady Renovation? With over 8.1 million viewers of the first episode, I would assume a lot of you! We all love a good reunion show and this one is a blast from the past and lures the attention of stagers and designers alike. For those of you who haven’t heard of this new offering from HGTV, the original cast of from The Brady Bunch reunited in honor of the 50th anniversary of their 70’s sitcom. The Brady kids, along with HGTV personalities, are renovating the interior of the house used for the iconic exterior shots of TV house. For those of you who may not know, the interior of the home was a studio set. The show focuses on the renovations that turn a ranch-style home into the identical two story interior of the set-no small feat, even for HGTV.
The excitement of this show got us thinking about the evolution of design. How much of the 70's is coming back to design today? We see a lot of design trends from the 70's design (now called mid-century) in 2019 in a much more modern, sophisticated way. Here are a few examples:
Color:
Shades of avocado green, orange, tans and browns along with some mustard yellow are popping into home decor. These are all warm palettes from 70's décor but they are showing up in a more sophisticated manner. And since we all painted our walls white recently due to the 2018 trend, these warm colors will coordinate nicely with our neutral backdrop.
Furniture:
Rattan and wicker are making a comeback in chairs and barstools thanks to the recent surge in the boho aesthetic that's gained popularity recently. You'll even see it on the walls. All of these create a natural look to any space.
Plants/Greenery:
Plants add a natural organic feel to a space. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, manufacturers have gotten so good at making fake plants look so real. Popular finds today from the 70's include Ferns with their featherlike stems, Sansevieria or Snake Plants (aka Mother-in-laws tongue) and palm fronds of all kinds.
Patterns and Textures:
Geometric patterns are showing up in a variety of ways fromlight fixtures, tile, artwork and wallpaper.
Accent walls have made a comeback but in a moresophisticated manner than just paint. Instead you will see use of bold patterned wallpaper or textures like moldingsor wood.
Texture is also showing up in velvet furnishings such ascouches, chairs and benches. The textureof a shaggy or wool pouf is also a great addition that nods toward 70s vibes.
Macramé has made a comeback adding texture into a room through plant hangers and wall art. It’s even being added to throw pillows and blankets. Crafting is cool again.
What are your thoughts on the 70's blast from the past with design today? We have to agree with Jan Brady when she once said “Isn’t it just absolutely lovely?”. The 70's vibe certainly has brought on some lovely design trends for 2019.
If you are looking to incorporate a 70's vibe to your own home, but don't know how to start, give us a call or fill out our online scheduling form We would be happy to help you add modern spin of 70's design through our redesign consultation
What's in Your Toolkit?
What's in your wallet toolkit? Jennifer Garner may have her CapitalOne card but we've got an awesome addition for your staging or DIY toolkit. This homemade tool doesn't cost you a thing except time and a trip to a home improvement store paint department. Our Lead Stager, Tracy, demonstrates how to use this time saving invention.
What are you waiting for? RUN to your nearest hardware store and sweet talk that paint attendant for some paint sticks!
It's time saving tricks like these that allow us to stage an entire home in less than 4 hours. View our Gallery of Before and After photos here for inspiration in YOUR home or DIY project.
https://staged-by-design.com/staging-portfolio-2/