August 9th, 2010
People have an EXTREMELY hard time visualizing a space without furniture in it. In fact, only 10% of buyers can visualize furniture placement and the scale of a room. Vacants are cold and lack emotion, colour and style. Even if the story is a good one, say a couple that is getting married, the empty house still tells the potential buyer a sad story. Why? Because it LOOKS sad when a house is empty or mostly empty!
I have several flippers who use me for every one of their properties. I also have a few builders/developers that stage their models while they sell the rest of the units/homes. And, of course, I have some of those happy and sad stories of homeowners who call me directly to stage their vacant/semi-vacant home.
I am, by far, staging more vacants than lived-in homes. I have staged so many lately that I feel like I have become a VACANT STAGING EXPERT!
I love staging vacants! They are fast, usually easier and always end with a dramatic result. Keep em’ coming!
Up Next?
Tags: staging expert, staging results, Staging Specialist, Vacant, vacant staging, vacant staging expert
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July 7th, 2010
UCDSS recently completed an exciting and large condo job. We staged six vacant units in a contemporary/urban style renovated condo in downtown Hamilton. With help from the savvy developer, they sold out before we were even done the job.
It was a great experience to work on a job of that size under a short, aggressive deadline. I am proud to have been involved with “Film Works Lofts”.
Up next…I’m becoming a vacant staging specialist!
Tags: condo, condo staging, contemporary loft, Film Work Lofts, loft, lofts, urban loft, Vacant
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June 22nd, 2010
Sometimes room functions need to be determined so the potential buyers don’t have to stand there and guess what the room is suppose to be (guest room? office? exercise room?)
The most important thing is to take the guessing game away and give every bit of usable space a genuine function. I had an agent suggest putting a freezer in a 3′ x 6′ room off of a kitchen. Not a bad idea, but not very original or valuable. We ended up with a small desk, chair and laptop in that little room. Perfect for looking up a recipe or checking email!
It is often those determined, useful spaces that make the house stand out and sell quickly!
Up next…Condo fever!
Tags: layout, room function
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May 3rd, 2010
I just staged a sweet, little, old house in Hamilton that sold in 1 1/2 days at 99% of the asking price! I love it when that happens! I am so happy for the home owners (and the agent).
They spent under $1000.00 to showcase and the results were huge! When I went back to de-stage, they showed me pictures of the house they bought since they had sold theirs. They put themselves in a great position to be able to purchase firm by having the peace of mind that they already had their house sold.
I always wonder what would have happened if they didn’t showcase their house? It’s a dangerous thought…
Up next…I’m becoming a vacant staging specialist!
Tags: showcase, sold, staging results
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April 24th, 2010
The last 3 of my design jobs have been clients who are in houses that are too small for their lifestyle and family. The main reason they called me is because they had so many space issues they just didn’t know where to start.
A surprisingly big part of my job as a design consultant is being a project manager. I basically give the client a list, to use as a guide, of what THEY need to do and what I will be doing for them . I find that people like to scratch things off a list and I often get excited emails from them saying “I did this, this and this from your list!!” All of this eventually leads them to the satisfying end result of their new, organized, up-dated space.
Sometimes I guess I am just a project manager!
Up next…..my latest staging success!
Tags: design, designer, project manager, up-dated
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April 20th, 2010
Last week I attended a product knowledge seminar at Hunter Douglas Window Fashions in Brampton.
I have been selling blinds and shutters for over 18 years. It is a fast paced industry and I can’t believe how much I learned even though I sell myself as a blind specialist!
Hunter Douglas is one of my favorite blind suppliers and I always love to learn about their new and innovative products they are introducing for the year!
Up next….sometimes I’m just a project manager!
Tags: blinds, Hunter Douglas, shutters, window coverings
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April 12th, 2010
I am proud to announce that Universal Concepts Design and Staging Solutions was awarded the Hamilton Community News Readers Choice 1st place Diamond Winner for Best Interior Design Business for 2010!!! Thank you for your support!
Up next…Updating my knowledge-window coverings seminar
Tags: award, Diamond Winner, Interior Design, Interior Designer, Readers Choice Award Winner, winner
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April 7th, 2010
The cost of using a home stager depends on a few basic factors:
THE SIZE – A 2500 square foot home generally won’t cost as much to spruce up as a 5000 square foot home
THE CONDITION – If the home shows the wear and tear of its age, it will likely require more work to stage it properly
THE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER – The less there is to pack and sort through, the easier it is to stage it
HOW MUCH THE HOMEOWNER CAN DO ON THEIR OWN – If the homeowner can do their own painting or packing, it would save from having to hire professionals
Up next….UCDSS Award announcement!
Tags: cost of staging, painting and packing
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March 28th, 2010
Hiring a home stager does cost the homeowner money, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the level of service they choose.
The least expensive option is to hire a home stager to walk through the home and offer advice on what changes would give the home owner the biggest bang for their buck. Most often, the home owner handle those recommended improvements themselves. The staging consultation typically costs $200.00 and includes a full report, a list of recommendations, drawings (if required) and a quote to showcase.
For a larger fee, the homeowner can hire a home stager to rearrange the furniture and decor that they already own. If the stager has the homeowner hire painters and bring in rented furniture and accessories (art, lamps, bedding, greenery, area rugs….), then the price can quickly escalate.
Staging will make any listing stand out and keep the home owner from having to drop their asking price.
Up next…what factors affect the price of home staging?
Tags: cost of staging, home staging price, rental furniture
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March 9th, 2010
What is Home Staging?
Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make the home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers.
Staging for sale techniques focus on curb appeal, traffic flow, lighting, furniture layout, the illusion of space and neutralizing. Statistics show that staging raises the value of a property by reducing the home’s visible flaws and leading the eye to the attractive features. For lived-in and vacant homes, staging rental furniture and accessories are used to create a living space where the buyer can imagine themselves living. The powerful result is that the buyer can emotionally connect with the home.
Stay tuned to learn more about home staging in Hamilton and Burlington.
Tags: home staging, staging for sale, staging rental furniture
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