My phone rang. It was a REALTOR calling. A long time client of mine who actually understands and "gets" the whole stage your property before it's listed thing. But, this conversation was a bit, shall I say, out-of-the-ordinary. No, she wasn't calling to schedule a consultation .... but - well, here I'll paraphrase it for you.
REALTOR: Hi Calie, this is Kim from XYZ Realty. While sitting at a house today waiting for the home inspector, it dawned on me that I think this is a house you staged.
ME: Really? How can you tell?
REALTOR: Well, it just "looks" like you. Did you stage a house in this community?
ME: Why, yes I did.
WOW - It floored me to think that I have a "staging style". This particular house I staged was for another agent in the agency, but they didn't know each other (at least not that well). I thought it was quite a compliment to think that I have such a unique "staging style" that I could actually be recognized by the work that I've done....
Of course, this lead to my going down memory lane. As a stager, has my style morphed into something better than it was 5 years ago?
I thought I'd share some photos of the very first house I staged.
This guest room was very dated. So for no out of pocket money - all we did was move the furniture around, borrow a chair from the family room, flip the custom made daybed coverlet over and use the "plain" side. The roll pillows were put in the closet and voila - it now looks sellable!
Before & The Results of Staging
This room was also very dated. So again, with no shopping spree - all we did was turn the comforter over to the "plain" side. Added some decorative pillows and removed the bench from the end of the bed.
Here's a photo from a house that I staged a couple days ago ...
Nah....I'm just kidding. This is actually one of pictures from Cort Furniture Rental. While I have used this particular suite of furniture, it's not my photo. Gotcha!
LOL! I was looking at the last picture thinking "Calie, how could you?" as I recognized the shot from the Cort website! Then I read the rest - yeah - you got me:)
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie ~ Sometimes we just need a good laugh ... and as I sit here and look at the temperature guage - now is as good a time as any. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Calie
Great Job ! Cute Joke. Its is a small world and when you are least expecting it.
Lynette
How well I remember my first staging job as well! In hindsight, it was way underbid--but it turned out great and the Realtor was so pleased she held a Broker's Open and invited me to be there. The house had been on the market for over a year and they had multiple offers and sold it within a couple of weeks. I'm still getting comments from Realtors who had seen it "before and after" and were very impressed. A great experience!
By the way, I was able to insert the before, but when I tried to insert the after (from the same source) I kept getting a square with an x in it. Any suggestions?
Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging
I'm trying the picture insert again with Internet Security turned off. Here goes. . .
Well, that didn't work. Same problem--I don't understand why it worked the first time and never again! Help!
Kim - Thanks for sharing your "first" with us. Sounds like a staging success if ever I heard one!
About the picture - I'm not sure why it's not coming up. Maybe one of our gurus can help?
Callie,
I loved this post, and i have to tell you that I initially really did think that last picture was something you had staged! Thanks for a good laugh at the end of a long day!
VAL
Hi Val - it's amazing how many people recognize Cort's picture. How about posting something about your first staging job? Seems like there's a lot out there for us to reminisce about....
My word is "sansapote"
Hi Callie,
I thought your post was great too! I loved the last part, you totally made me laugh! Thank you!
Hi Penny - Thanks for stopping by. I'm always up for a good laugh - especially after a long day of trying to make miracles a regular occurrence! Wishing you a very Happy Independence Day!