The day after New Year’s Day I met my favorite Realtor with Brentwood Area Homes at a house I had been hired to Speed Stage before it went on the market. When I walked in the door, I was a bit concerned . . .
before staging
Speed Staging is a specific kind of home staging that I’ve developed after almost a decade of staging homes to sell. In order for it to work successfully, Speed Staging requires that the homeowner has no repairs, painting, or upgrades to do, and has some basic furnishings and decorative items to work with. I bring NOTHING in to Speed Stage except my basic staging tools – but no furniture or decorative items. Two hours, two stagers – a bargain staging option with impressive results. But would it work in this property?
before staging
The homeowners were heading that afternoon for their new home several states away and were leaving most of their furniture. My concern here was twofold: one, that the homeowners were not finished packing or cleaning up when I arrived and, two, the furnishings and decor were sparse and limited. Empty or poorly-furnished properties don’t sell well – you need to have decor that makes the house feel fresh and inviting to buyers. While you don’t want the house to be too taste-specific, you need it to be appealing and memorable to those who tour it when searching for their new home.
before staging
But we got started anyway. After a quick assessment of the home, we kicked it into high gear – moving furniture from one room to another, creating memory points, and drawing attention to all the positive features the property had to offer.
before staging
We raided every closet, drawer, and cabinet in the place scrambling for items we could use to warm up the space and make it look as on-trend as possible. Turns out, you can do a lot with very little if you know how to Speed Stage!
before staging
And when two hours had passed, the whole place was transformed. The homeowners packed their last box and gathered up their kids for the long drive south, and I took a few after shots before heading home for a much-needed shower. Here they are a few photos of the staged house:
after staging
after staging
after staging
after staging
Some of the best things we found to stage this property included the homeowners’ travel photography that I used to make a quick but interesting art grouping,
after staging
an orange scarf/shawl we used as a runner to tie in the orange paint color from the kitchen,
after staging
and an IKEA dresser from a guest room that we used to beef up and balance the large living room:
after staging
When I heard from the Realtor a couple of days later, the house already had two offers. Isn’t it amazing what a couple of well-spent hours can do?
Speaking of staging, I am happy to say that my staging book is really, truly in the works. “In the works” meaning I have finished writing as of last weekend, and it’s in the hands of editors and designers at this very moment. Yahoo! My mother always said she knew I would write a book someday, but of course she thought it would be about her . . .
WOW! This is now a beautiful property. I’m sure it will sell quickly. Stagers have to truly be miracle workers, don’t they. I was hoping you would post a photo of that orange kitchen, I would be interested in knowing how you staged it.
Great article, Kristie!
Congratulations on your book – it’s a journey and you’ve just finished one of the biggest steps. The next one is a fun one – seeing all that hard work bound and ready for distribution!!
Another amazing transformation! I can’t wait until the day when you can stage my house (when my husband agrees to sell, of course).
The before and after pictures tell a great story. I advise all my clients to use your services, but you know how that goes. I think this year will be a lot different in that more people have real equity in their homes, and are ready to move up. Have a great day.
Wonderful transformation, Kristie! I love what you did with the available items and the short amount of time. That wall with the photos came out great. I have a wall of photos in a hall that I want to work on next and you’ve given me a great example. I see that the spacing and two-tones on the photos is key. Right?
P.S. I’ve painted my foyer and the other areas you suggested and they’ve come out great! When I’m done, I’ll send you photos. Thanks for everything!
Yes, definitely send me photos, Maria! As for the art grouping – consistent interior spacing is the number one key!
Can’t wait for your book, Kristie!
Awesome job! I love the term “speed staging.” Done a few of those myself, but haven’t called it that. I kind of love the challenge of going in and making a huge difference in a short amount of time.
We are fixing up our city house to sell in the spring/summer — still doing the repairs. But my question is this: We just fixed up the living room — painted and fixed plaster cracks, etc. To do this, we took down all prints, paintings, and things hanging. I know we have to put some back up, but how many? New holes in our beautiful fixed plaster walls??? I love the way your travel photo wall looks, but all those holes… Do buyers not care about that?
Thanks for tips!
(and I wondered why they didn’t have their couch facing the fireplace in the first place. I’n glad you remedied that!)
It looks like you painted the baby’s room blue. Is that part of speed staging? I was also wondering
about the holes from hanging pictures. Do you store all the stuff you don’t use in the garage?
You did an outstanding job playing down the orange kitchen.
Joy,
I’m fast, but not THAT fast! No, we didn’t paint the nursery. It probably looks different in the photo because the after was taken with the overhead light off. That orange kitchen definitely should have been painted neutral, but I wasn’t hired to do anything but the 2-hour Speed Staging. We stored some things in boxes along one wall only of the garage – you don’t want to fill that up if you can help it. The homeowners took some of what was left with them when they left.
Wish I had your speed staging talents down here in Atlanta! Your efforts paid off. Hope the photo shoot was shortly thereafter.
Another great job! And I look forward to your book!
Staging wins every time! Results were a FULL price offer within 72 hours. We love providing this service to our clients. It’s fun and it works….. I love my job. And I can’t wait for your book. Thank you Kristie.
Thanks, Melissa! I love working with you guys!
Kristie, I get a rush doing these types of jobs and I’m sure you do too! Everyone in my opinion should have this done before the MLS photos. The transformation is huge and this service is so affordable!
Congrats on the book and I’ll see you soon in Vegas!
Fantastic! You are worth every penny and more. It won’t sit for long on the market when it’s that appealing.