Elemental Staging

Staging a Bathroom - $100 budget Limit

2009-11-30T15:42:00Z

This client had one of those typical generic houses. Cookie Cutter style in a very nice neighborhood in Austin, TX. As suspected, the bathroom had no designer's imagination at all! I took one look at the master bathroom and cringed. How predictable!

Huge mirror, white vanity, white walls, white sinks, beige tiles. Where are my sunglasses!?

I guess I shouldn't complain, I shouldn't sigh or roll my eyes. It's because of those boring house builders that people like me have an exciting opportunity to make some changes. And I love it!

With a budget of only $100, we had to start getting very creative. Sounds like a lot maybe, but not if you want to do something to the mirror, the lights, the walls, the decor etc. etc. etc. Fortunately for me, Home Depot was close and the man of the house was fairly handy with some tools.

The tiles were stripped and sealed (No I didn't do it, but I recommend it) and after adding some color with paint, new light fixture (that was on sale) brushed nickel towel rails, fresh towels, candles and a homemade frame to the mirror....Voila!

A $100 later and you get to leave your sunglasses in your purse!

http://www.realestateshows.com/453953

Find more information on home stagers, home staging, house stagers, home sellers, home selling tips and home staging tips.
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AUSTIN STAGERS COME TOGETHER TO EDUCATE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

2009-10-23T19:24:00Z

Via Ashley Whittenberger (Interiority Complex & The Interiority Complex University ):

PRESS RELEASE

With over 9,000 listings in the Austin MLS, the Central Texas Chapter of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) is working hard to help Realtors and home sellers by educating them on the benefits of staging.

Austin, October 8, 2009 - Think of selling a home, and staging is likely to come to mind for a growing number of Realtors and sellers. There's a reason for this: home staging is one of the fastest-growing trends in real estate, thanks to a multitude of staging programs on HGTV, Realtors becoming more educated on the process, and the growing presence of the industry's trade association, RESA. Now, Austin-area stagers, Realtors and related businesses are becoming more connected and educated on staging than ever before with the help of the Central Texas Chapter of RESA.

On October 7, 2009, the Central Texas Chapter of the RESA sponsored a booth at the Austin Board of Realtors' annual Realty Round Up (https://www.abor.com/roundup). Proving to be a valuable resource for the local real estate community, staging members spent the day networking and educating local Realtors and real estate industry professionals about the association, the many benefits of staging and the benefits of working with RESA members.

"Our booth was filled with Realtors excited to participate in our monthly programs and other businesses anxious to partner with us as affiliate members," said local chapter president Brenda Spencer.

According to THE CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO REAL ESTATE STAGING published by the Real Estate Staging Association, "Staging is the act of preparing and showcasing residential and commercial property (house, apartment, condo, model home, commercial use) for sale. It is a systematic and coordinated methodology in which knowledge of real estate, home renovations and creative design principles are applied to attract a buyer. The benefits of staging are numerous. Perhaps the most impressive benefit is that studies show that staged homes can sell more quickly than un-staged homes."

In a 2008 study of homes for sale conducted by RESA, staged properties were shown to spend an average of 87% less time on the market.

Deciding to work with a Professional Stager is one of the smartest things Realtors and sellers can do when selling a property. "Giving your clients every opportunity to get more attention for their property and have a less stressful selling process is the best gift a Realtor can give a client!" says Shell Brodnax, President and Founder of the Real Estate Staging Association.

"I'm proud to be a member of RESA, which represents a very professional and united group of business owners," said professional stager, Ellen Boetcher, after spending the day with her fellow stagers.

Another local stager, Alicia Autrey added, "I have truly enjoyed being a RESA member. The life of a stager can be lonely occupation, but being a part of RESA allows me the opportunity to network with other staging professionals. It motivates me to get to meet with like minded professionals to discuss the industry and be a part of creating standards for it. I know that by being a RESA member, I will be able to continually educate myself to be able to serve my clients needs more effectively, and that even though this is my business, I do not have to work alone."

It's important for stagers, realtors and affiliated businesses to join RESA as our association creates avenues to accomplish marketing and networking that you don't usually have on your own," added Ashley Whittenberger, Texas State Chapter President of the RESA. "We invite anyone interested in learning more about staging or how to become an active participant in our industry to come check out one of our local monthly meetings."

Members of the Real Estate Staging Association include not only stagers, but also Realtors and businesses affiliated with the real estate or staging industries. To learn more about becoming active in a chapter near you, visit www.realestatestagingasssociation.com .

For more information on staging or the Texas Chapters of RESA contact:

Ashley Whittenberger/ RESA Texas State President: ashley@theinterioritycomplex.com or 512-906-2567

or

Brenda Spencer/ RESA Central Texas Chapter President: brenda@spencerstaging.com or 512-299-1203

Find more information on home stagers, house stagers, home sellers, home staging tips and home selling tips.

Challenge Sold!

2009-10-05T15:49:00Z

Hi All

I said I'll be back on Tuesday with more pictures after finishing up the house in Downtown Austin! I even posted a link to show you the first part of the challenge. It took me a full day of staging and I went back the next day to try and finish. There was still a lot to be done, since the client didn't get to finish the "homework"

Well, guess what?

Some real estate agents took a look at the house and were really impressed and really interested. There were two showings on Saturday, two offers and the house sold at higher than the asking price! Not even a week later! It was not even on the market yet! Is this the greatest satisfaction, or what! I still feel like laughing and dancing in the ever-so-welcome rain here in Austin, TX!

Hopefully I'll have another story like this pretty soon. Don't forget to look at the pictures.

http://www.realestateshows.com/440816

Challenge awaits

2009-10-05T03:15:16Z

I posted this blog on a different site, but only members had access to it. Since I just got started in the Home Stagers industry, I just had to share my story... This was my 3rd house.

*****

So my next house is going to be a real challenge! I cannot wait to get started! It's a neat little house, from the outside, close to Downtown Austin and close to UT.

The problem with it, it is completely outdated and neglected! The poor owner is in the middle of a divorce, working long 12 hour shifts and is emotianally very attached to the house. And the colors!

A bright baby-blue Living Room meets the eye as you walk into the front door, pink paper blinds, ancient pelmet with a olive-green ruffled "window treatment", scratched wooden floors, red kitchen appliances visible from the living room, stacks and stacks of paper, files and magazines in every single corner.

The only positive item so far - well-used olive green sofa and a decent fireplace, somewhere in there....

More paint colors as we walk through. Mint green, pale blue, dirty pink in the main bedroom.

The wall paper in the dining room and bathroom is peeling off, the kitchen is dark and dysfunctional, there is not one single room, door or windowsill that does not need paint. I noticed some "antique" furniture pieces under all the clothes and paperwork, I might just be able to use it. The one bedroom had baby-pink batting and fabric stapled to the wall. Imagine that! Needless to say I couldn't resist ripping it off. Oops!

It is a complete disaster! Or challenge :-) But I have some ideas

Oh, I did mention there is NO MONEY available for renovations, contractors or renting furniture and accessories, did I? Just for a gallon or 2 of paint

I'll tell you how it went on Tuesday. Watch this space.