I just had an apportunity to work with probably the best flipping team that I have ever worked with. Not only are they on trend, on budget and on time they produce a quality product and hired a home stager, me!
As more properties become forclosed on we will probably be seeing an increase in property flipping. Here are just a few of the common mistakes I see when asked to stage a flipped property.
COLOR CHOICES: The color should not be contractor white. Introduce a neutral color to give the property some personality. If the property is presented like a big white box, the selling price will reflect a big white box. Professional home stagers typically offer color selection services. Color is important so treat the process like it is important and get a professional opinion.
WORKMANSHIP: Quality workmanship goes a long way. In new homes or homes that are nearly new there is an expectation that the workmanship is of a high quality. It matters if paint is slopped all over the hinges, it matters if the trim is not tight and it matters that if the trim is not tight that you use caulk and clean those gaps up. A walk through with a professional home stager with fresh eyes can help you make the right decisions regarding the property.
KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS SELL HOUSES: Make certain that you are on trend and are spending money on the right upgrades in the kitchens and bathrooms of your flip. A home stager will help you find the right product for your flip that will be cost effective and will maximize the sales potential of your investment. Work with a home stager as well as a real estate agent to find out what the amenity expectations are for the price point you are working with.
HOME STAGERS OFFER CONSULTATIONS: As your flip progresses you may want to consider having a home stager walk through with you and help you develop a punch list. Professional home stagers have a keen eye and look at the property through the eyes of prospective buyer.
HIRE A HOME STAGER TO STAGE YOUR INVESTMENT: Vacant properties without the benefit of furniture, art and accessories spend 78% more time on market than properties that are properly staged and presented to sell.
At StageRight Home Staging we are dedicated to customer service. Our services include consultations for home staging as well as actual staging services. We stage occupied and vacant properties, we provide move in decorating, staging to live (redesign using your own stuff), home organization and downsizing services, color selection and project management for remodels and upgrades. We are Accredited Staging Professionals, members of RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) and the Battle Creek Board of Realtors. StageRight Home Staging developed a program that has been approved by the State of Michigan for continuing education for realtors.
StageRight has a preferred REALTORTM program for realtors with whom we collaborate on-a-regular bases. We hold quarterly Lunch and Learn programs for agents in our service area to keep them up on our industry, what works, what doesn't. We write a monthly newsletter, I teach Staging to sell and Staging to live classes at the local community college at their Life Long Learning Center (Kellogg Community College),have written a weekly article for our local paper titled Ready for Market. We are a Family Partner for Habitat for Humanity as well as supporters of the Pet Friendly efforts of the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. As the owner I am a regular blogger trying very hard to encourage staging throughout south west Michigan.