Staging on Steroids…
June 10th, 2009 Categories: Alexandria Dirt, Arlington Dirt, Falls Church Dirt, Home Selling, McLean Dirt, Reston Dirt
Yesterday I decided to hit a few broker’s open houses. Tuesdays are big days in the Northern Virginia – Washington DC Area where real estate agents have opportunities to tour homes for a variety of reasons – some people go to preview potential homes for clients – it’s a time saving way to see a bunch of homes at once without making appointments. Others go to support their fellow agents – show their face, sometimes it’s to network, 
say hello to an old friend. Some go for the food – the food can range from simple deli sandwiches to ornate catered events. (My favorites are the ones with Mother’s Macaroons which is a fabulous Arlington Bakery and they make the most amazing finger desserts!!) Others go in hopes of winning prizes – yes, I said prizes! Anything from a cash pull (where everyone wins something) to a gift certificate to maybe even an iPod!
OK, but I digress – yesterday I went in the home of a listing agent who had many many letters after her name to represent all of the designations she’s earned. One happened to be the Accredited Staging Professional (OR ASP) designation. Now, I think staging a home is really important IF THE HOME CAN BENEFIT FROM IT.
Have you ever had a friend (or maybe your home is like this) that every time you walk into their home it looks perfect? Just the right accessory, just the right colors, just the right candle? Not too much? Not too little? But JUST RIGHT? That’s what staging is supposed to accomplish. A “put-together” just right look!
So, back to my story, yesterday I walked into this house and this particular staging professional went WAYYYYYY overboard. There were throw blankets EVERYWHERE – and I mean EVERYWHERE – sometimes 2 and 3 in the same room, artfully “tossed” over the arm of a chaise or a sofa… There were books and towels tied up with rafia and silk flowers arranged throughout the house as well – there was even a silk flower arrangement in the “his” side of the closet – and it wasn’t even attractive – c’mon! That’s not believable!!! The kicker was the cup of tea that sat on the end table by the chaise with the artfully thrown blanket with plenty of fringed pillows as well, I might add - the cup was full of that brown plastic stuff that looks like liquid, but it’s not – the wrapper from the tea bag was torn off and set aside and it was on top of a book… I had to feel the “water” in the teacup to see if it was real or not – UGH – I left there thinking “staging gone bad”
So, what’s my advice? Look around! Get the honest opinion of your agent and your friends – there are many levels to “staging” – sometimes stagers can come in and work with what you have – re-arrange a few things, pull out some great nuggets that you have tucked away and put away some things that might not be working to their full potential. Staging is great – when used for the right project in the right way. But when it’s not right on – it just looks silly – TRUST ME!
Feel free to call today to discuss listing your home and I’d be happy to tell you whether or not your home could benefit from staging.
Happy Wednesday
Jennifer
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