We are retired due to my husband's illness. Extra bars have been added to the walls in the bathing area of the master ensuite. We also have a special " Raised toilet seat" in there for his convenience. Is it " ok" to leave the bathroom as it is during the selling of our home ? Without these items my husband , who has Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease, will have a very difficult time with using the bathroom facilites. The other bathroom down the hall & the powder room are not "Outfitted" with these extras... Your advice would be greatly appreciated as we are in the process of staging our home for sale. Thankyou !
Regards,
Sandra Davis
sjtd9@hotmail.com
Sandra Davis8:56PM August 16, 2008
Accredited Staging Professional (ASP®) and Accredited Staging Professional Master (ASPM®) trained through StagedHomes.com University are the best stagers in the business. They are specifically trained to stage properties - not redecorate, not redesign (like IRIS).
Plus,ASP®/ASPM® are the ONLY nationally recognized designations in the home staging industry and are recognized by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR®)
Who wouldn't want to be trained by Barb Schwarz, the Creator of Home Staging?
Lydia Brownof PA8:16PM August 05, 2008
Yes, staging does work; however, please do not think that ASP certification is the best qualification for a real estate agent/stager. They offer many one day workshops that do not address all of the aspects necessary for successful staging.
Rather, look for someone with the I.R.I.S. certification - it has a much higher industry standard. Stagers receive week long training w/ hands-on projects & pass a rigorous test to receive their certification.
Jenniferof CO6:22PM July 27, 2008
Iam very interested in being a stager; however, I do not know
how to get started. I do not need any classes on decorating or
staging for that matter! Everyone thinks Iam a decorator & I did
have my own decorating business for 1 year; & decorated 3 homes,
alot of it was staging to start & then painting/wallpapering,
purging, re-arranging furniture, adding some/getting rid of
other things. I did one home in oriental, one was french country, and the other one was well, they were tough...had a lot
of stuff and a busy-body husband, but, it all turned out!
My gardens in my own home are first priority, we have the prettiest house on the street. Inside, I have had several themes
& am always adding or taking away things to keep it updated
& fresh; plus... I'm a clean freak.
If anyone has any ideas on where to start a new career as a stager; I would love if you shared them with me.
Thank-you...Brenda
Brendaof OR6:10PM July 27, 2008
I'm a Realtor - want to respond to the home inspector's insisting on whether or not someone lives in the home. There are many legitimate and common sense reasons a homeowner would instruct the agent not to let anyone know the home is vacant.
1) Buyers assume vacant homes are desperate Sellers and "low ball" the offer
2) Sellers don't want the home an obvious target for thieves and vandals.
3) Homeowners don't wish ex-spouses, neighbors, etc. to know their business.
I'm a top producing Realtor,selling over 100 homes a year for 12 years. I've never had a Seller, nor suspected a homeowner of any sinister motives in claiming a home is vacant.
By the way - easier than hunting for price tags on furniture - check the refrigerator. Absent homeowners don't leave food in the refrigerator.
Kathyof OH2:52PM July 27, 2008
Staging a home for sale is the best and proven way for a seller to get to more money in less time when their home is for sale.
When an agent is representing a seller, it should be part of the marketing plan...it's a win/win. The seller gets more money faster and the agent saves expenses on marketing and advertising.
One caveat...be sure that the Stager you choose has INDUSTRY SPECIFIC training. Find a Stager with the Accredited Staging Professional designation (ASP). We are the ONLY Stagers that have been educated and trained hands on in the class that was developed by Barb Schwarz herself.
Staging truly works! I have many happy clients!
Theresa Minichiello, ASPM, IAHSP - Stage Right! Home Stagingof DE11:17AM July 27, 2008
My realtor called to say he had a lady client he "knew nothing about" to see my home when it hadn't been listed yet. That was my first clue. How would she know about it? I looked out the window when they arrived and noticed they didn't introduce themselves to eachother. I slipped out the back door and sat in my car for much longer than it should have taken to view my small place.
When they emerged, they kissed and left. Say what? After no follow-up on legitimate clients, a sloppy flyer, no shows on his part and no answers to why my upcoming Open House was not online, I had great suspicions. He left me a note after the Open House saying only "one single lady" came, and someone threw his OH sign and baloons in the woods, so no one would know about it! He also copied my keys 3 times (to hand out to the ladies?).
I fired him while he removed his signs and returned the keys with the police present. Then I bleached my place from top to bottom.
Owner of an Irresistable-Condoof NJ10:36AM July 27, 2008
I am a home inspector and run into staged homes all the time. There are tell tale signs that stand out. Sometimes, buyers assume or are told that the current owners are just out of town - when in fact they are long gone. Moved to another state, another house, etc.
I've inspected many homes, one in particular where the selling agent stated that the sellers were on vacation but they still lived in this home. In going through the home doing a standard visual inspection, I noticed some ironic things for someone to be living in the home, such as: price tags on tables, cushions, lamps, candles, price tags on all the clothes in the closets, blankets still creased from packaging. There were some major issues in this home that the sellers were trying to conceal - such as a significant mold issues, moisture intrusion problems.
When I then asked for a completed sellers disclosure, it stated that the home was not vacant. When I directly asked the listing agent if this home was staged or not - she stated that it was and that the buyers had already moved out some time ago. I'm not an attorney or anything, but the sellers and the listing agent have the duty to properly disclose the conditions of the home - don't they? When false statements are made, I'm sure those can do significant damage to the seller, realtor, realtors company for misrepresentation.
A staged home is always nicer - I agree, but without hiding the facts or misleading buyers.
A Concerned Honest Home Inspector
A Concerned Honest Home Inspectorof GA10:14AM July 27, 2008
TOO presumptuous! Although helpful,the determining factors for selling a house is,and will always be : price,price,price, and location,location, and location.
The prevaining factor is MARKET CONDITIONS.
Helenaof CA5:55PM July 12, 2008
Remember the days of the MLS books with tiny photos and little descriptions? Wow -- selling a home has certainly changed over the years! And with HGTV, DIY shows so popular, I think home buyers expectations are at an all time high. Buyers want to envision themselves living a wonderful lifestyle in the new home they buy -- not seeing you stuff and personalization.
Staging works -- and though I do it everyday, I'm always amazed at the transformations!
Margaret Oscilia, Creative Concepts and Contractingof OR9:12AM July 09, 2008
Reader Comments
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Sandra Davis 8:56PM August 16, 2008
Lydia Brown of PA 8:16PM August 05, 2008
Jennifer of CO 6:22PM July 27, 2008
Brenda of OR 6:10PM July 27, 2008
Kathy of OH 2:52PM July 27, 2008
Theresa Minichiello, ASPM, IAHSP - Stage Right! Home Staging of DE 11:17AM July 27, 2008
Owner of an Irresistable-Condo of NJ 10:36AM July 27, 2008
A Concerned Honest Home Inspector of GA 10:14AM July 27, 2008
Helena of CA 5:55PM July 12, 2008
Margaret Oscilia, Creative Concepts and Contracting of OR 9:12AM July 09, 2008