Staging Minnesota - KFM Staging & Design

Staging a house during a recession may make sellers cringe at the thought of spending money just to "decorate" a house. Although some purchases may be beneficial, most homeowner can shop for free in their very own cupboards and closets. Take a look at some no-cost decorating/staging ideas below.

BATHROOM COUNTER DECOR:

• Rolled hand towels
• Basket of mini soaps and lotions
• Decorative bottles
• Candles
• Vase and flowers

The photo to the right displays two hand towels arranged on the counter for added color and softness to this area.

KITCHEN COUNTER DECOR:

• Large pepper mill and salt shaker
• Jars of flour, sugar, etc.
• Glass vase with various color beans
• Platters from China set
• Cookbooks
• Fresh fruit

This kitchen (pictured left) is staged using fruit and decorative dishes.

MASTER BEDROOM DECOR:

• Neutral photo frames
• Throw blankets
• Extra pillows
• Empty jewelry box

The master bedroom in the photograph to the right was given an instant headboard using photo frames.

Hard times may call for drastic measures, but when sellers use their imagination and shop in their own cupboards and closets, they may save themselves a lot of money when staging their home.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

For die-hard home stagers and staging fanatics around the world, home staging is believed to be linked to any profession, celebrity, or life event with-in six degrees. For our first attempt, let's start with an easy one...

1. Wayne Newton is known as Mr. Vegas
2. Vegas's long-running top show was Siegfried and Roy
3. Siegfried and Roy are famous magicians
4. Magicians are known for their sleight-of-hand tricks
5. Sleight-of-hand uses misdirection to bring attention to a desired area
6. Attracting attention to desired areas is a key component in home staging

The master bedroom shown the photo below has several angles with low ceiling points. Having no other point-of-interest, the eye is immediately drawn to these low-set roof lines. Buyer's (especially those over 4'10") may view this master bedroom as a series of obstacles.

The staged photo below shows how staging redirects the eye from negative features by creating a visual display that captures buyers' attention. Instead of focusing on the negatives, staging allows buyers to see how to work around less desired areas of a home.

Some critics of home staging accuse stagers of "covering up" flaws in the house; however, that is a uneducated or misunderstood concept of the profession. Home staging shows us how to optimize the unique characteristics of each house.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

At a recent staging consultation, I inquired about a "Stage your House For Sale" book (not actual title) on the client's table. Naturally, I inquired about what tips the homeowner learned from the literature. Her reply, "Nothing, I didn't read it. A friend gave it to me." My wheels started turning, and a blog was born...

In today's "Do-it-Yourself" world, there are dozens - no, thousands of "how to" books on home staging. Online searches yield pages of websites, articles, and advertisements stating, "You don't need to hire a professional stager. Stage your own home today for only $19.95...."

Have professional home stagers overstayed their welcome in the Real Estate community? Are they like your slightly, off-balanced uncle who won't go home when the party is done? After all, why would people pay $200 for a staging consultation when they can check out a book at the public library for free?  Our fathers generation's work ethic was, "If you want something done right, do it yourself," and it worked for them.

Take a look at the analogy below...

Let's say you were given several 2 x 4's and were told to build a house. Don't worry, you won't need to do the plumbing or electric, just the framing. Easy. No problem. After all, there are books on the topic. You can just Google, "How to Frame a House." I'm sure Wikipedia has something on that topic.

The truth is, unless we have been taught about house framing, most of us would end up with just a nice pile of lumber, not having a clue on where to start. Then there are those who would be determined to have a go at it despite their lack of knowledge; their intentions may be honorable, but the end results would be less than perfect.

To get the job done correctly and in a timely manner, common sense would tell us to hire a professional who has experience with framing houses - someone who understands the process, who can prioritize the tasks, and utilize the tools in the correct manner.

 

Back to home staging... Even when sellers are given all the correct supplies to stage their house, they may still lack the understanding on how to apply those tools to their home. Books, online sources, and t.v. shows (our home staging lumber yard) offer great resources for professionals and amateurs alike but will only take Do-it-Yourself home staging so far. Consultations by a trained stager will give sellers the "blue prints" for staging, specialized for their own home.

Unlike the oblivious party guests, professional home stagers are asset to the Real Estate community, because they understand the staging process from hands-on experience; they prioritize tasks so sellers are not overwhelmed, and they utilize staging tools in the correct manner for maximum effectiveness.

Today's work ethic: If you want something done right, hire a professional.  In the process, you will save yourself time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

*Photos courtesy of fotosearch.com

No matter what holiday you are celebrating, staging your home during the holidays can be hassle-free by following these simple guidelines:

• DO NOT OVER-DECORATE: Too many decorations created unwanted effects on your home. 1) Buyers will not remember the house's features, 2) The house will appear small and cluttered, 3) Overwhelming religious holiday decor may be offensive to hardcore PC buyers.
• DO, MINIMAL SEASONAL DECOR: Keep seasonal decor to localized areas such as the fireplace mantle, table center pieces, and vanities. Having just a few pieces will give the "flavor" of the season without "overwhelming the taste buds."
• DO NOT SET UP A TREE IN SMALL SPACES: If you are selling a house under 2000 square feet, every inch of space needs to be seen. It is more important that buyers see all the corners in the living room instead of a 7-foot spruce.
• DO USE OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Without going Clark Griswold on your roof, tastefully use exterior Christmas lights to stir up warm feelings in your buyers. Now that our days are shorter, it is important to use artificial lighting to set the mood.
• DO NOT USE LARGE YARD DISPLAYS: The same theory for interior decorating applies to the exterior as well. Inflated snow globes may look neat, but buyers will have a hard time looking past it and may miss your landscaping and other exterior features.
• DO KEEP DECOR TIMELY: Once your holiday is done, pack the decor ASAP. A house that retains holiday or seasonal decor past its due date has a neglected atmosphere.
• DO NOT USE STRONG FRAGRANCES: Although tempting, using candles, potpourri, and room fresheners may irritate sensitive buyers. Instead, use natural fragrances such a baked cookies and simmering cider to boost the aromas in your home.
• DO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS: Reduce the stress by reducing the amount of commitments you make during this time of the year. This time of the year is about your faith, your family, and your friends. Keep it simple and remain positive towards the marketing of your home!

One final thought... when listing your home over the holidays, DO NOT decorate your home to suit the current season or holiday unless you are going to update the photos when the season/holiday is past. Photos on the MLS of Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle is not appealing when it is the middle of March.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin. KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations. Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

3310 Commonwealth Court, Woodbury, MN 55125

MLS #: 3620134  $319,900

Over looking a nature preserve, this two-story house has an open layout with scenic views!

 

The master suite offers plenty of space for oversized furniture, a walking closet, and a full bathroom with dual sinks.

 

With over 3000 square feet of living space, this house spaciousness is suited for entertaining!

 

Features:

• Five bedrooms (four upper, one lower), four bathrooms
• Open-style family room with gas fireplace and nature views
• Eat-in kitchen with center island and walk-out to deck
• Formal dining and living areas adjacent to kitchen
• Entertainment room with home theater system and wet bar

For more information on this listing visit:  Woodbury Real Estate, MLS #: 3620134

Realtor Information:  This house is presented by Barker & Hedges, Re/Max Results. 

This house was staged by KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and western Wisconsin.  For home staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation, visit our Minneapolis Home Staging website.

So many newly hatched stagers, fresh out of their shells, come into this industry wet with swollen eyes; their vision is blurred by marathons of "Sell This House," "Designed to Sell," and "The Stagers." The excitement on entering this new world pricks their senses as imaginations kick into overdrive.

They daydream of sweeping into a house, waving a magic, and (poof!) the house is spontaneously transformed into a glorious image sure to have buyers beating down the door! The phone rings non-stop while emails mount in their boxes. Newspaper articles, paparazzi flashes, and the coveted HGTV spot are within reach...

Fresh and shiny from their training course, they head out to their first Realtor's office with their ink-jet brochures and presentation binder in hand just knowing they will score big! --- They don't. (Insert your own tire screech here.) The glamorous lifestyle that seemed within reach is now miles away.

The truth is... starting a home staging business is a lot harder than most anticipate which explains why many drop the dream before it has a chance to mature. With wide eyes most jump on the Home Staging Tilt-a-Whirl and are thrown off before they get a chance to fasten their seatbelts. Blood, sweat, and tears combined with time, money, and effort will test the sanity of all staging entreprenuers.

What separates success stories from failures?

DESIRE.   DRIVE.   DETERMINATION.

Those who are steadfast in the home staging business are committed to succeed through the good times and the bad. (Trust me, there will be bad times.) Stagers who weather the storms come out ahead by learning from their mistakes. (Trust me, there will be mistakes.)

Home staging in the real world is NOT a glamorous life style! By the end of the day, real stagers are exhausted from driving across town to appointments; packing, unpacking, and repacking inventory; moving furniture, art work, and accessories up and down the stairs. Our feet hurt, our backs hurt, our necks hurt, and our hurts hurt.

This post is not a rant. It is not a complaint. It is not whining. It is an accurate description of an overly glamorized profession. Just as real doctors experiences are exaggerated by Grey's Anatomy, television has educated the public with a cloudy perception of the staging industry.

Those who dive into the staging pool do so because they like it. The ones who dare to swim into the deep end do so because they love it! Yes, we are tired. Yes, sometimes we're broke. Yes, we can get discouraged. But we love the job! It is demanding. It is consuming. It is unpredictable. But we love the job!

Being a stager is not just what we do... it is who we are!

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin.  KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations.  Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

1531 Oak Ridge Lane, Houlton, WI 54082   MLS Number: 3611388    $939,900

Located in the St. Croix river valley, this two-story home is nestled on a wooded, three-acre private lot.  This house is full of custom craftsmanship, top quality features, and luxury amenities!

 

 

 Features:

• Five spacious bedrooms; master suite with dual walk-in closets, others with custom built-ins
• Four bathrooms with upgraded fixtures and built-in storage areas
• 5,000 square feet with re-claimed pine and poured concrete floors
• Two laundry areas (upper and main level)
• Double oven with commercial range
• Megonite counter tops in kitchen and all bathrooms
• SO MUCH MORE!!!

For additional information on this listing or to view more photos, click here --> WISCONSIN REAL ESTATE

REALTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:  Mike Vizenor, Re/Max Resources 651-206-8460

This house was staged by KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and western Wisconsin.  For home staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation, visit our website at Minneapolis Home Staging.

 The 2008 Counselor Realty Expo in Minneapolis, MN was a HUGE success!

Congratulations to Chris Lutter of the Maple Grove Counselor Realty Office, the winner of a 17-piece dining set courtesy of KFM Staging & Design!

Chris heads up The Lutter Group, which serves all real estate needs of the Twin Cities and surrounding counties.  He and his wife, Nicole, are full time Realtors who are dedicated to helping homeowners find their dream home.  Chris is known by his past clients for his honest, integrity, and hard work!  Contact Chris Lutter for your real estate questions or a free home evaluation at clutter@counselor-realty.com. 

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin.  KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations.  Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.

KFM Staging & Design
"Creating First Impressions That Sell!"
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

4906 Xerxes Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55430

**UPDATE** SOLD IN ONE WEEK!!!

This completely updated single family home is located just minutes away from the Twin Cities!  Built in the 1950's, this house features charming characteristics of the past with modern conveniences and upgrades!

Features:

• Three bedrooms, including oversized master suite
• Two bathrooms, full on main level, half on upper level
• Large, eat-in kitchen with new SS appliances, maple cabinetry, and new countertops
• Hardwood floor throughout main level
• Completely remodeled bathrooms with new tile and fixtures
• Finished basement and lots of storage space
• Detached 3-car garage

For more information on this listing, click here -->  Successful Home Sales

REALTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:  Pam Kowalski, Counselor Realty - pam@pamkhomes.com

This house was staged by KFM Staging & Design, a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and western Wisconsin.  For home staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation, visit our website at Minneapolis Home Staging.

In the real estate world, a seller has control over two things:  the price of their property and condition of their home.  While Realtors help sellers determine a price, many agents count on home stagers to deliver the "bad news" to their clients about the appearance of their house.

  TOP TEN THINGS (some) REALTORS WON'T TELL YOU

1. "Your kids aren't that cute... pack the photos."
2. "Multi-colored carpet does not include stains."
3. "Hummel collections are not considered focal points."
4. "Toilet seat covers do not qualify as 'spa-like' accessories."
5. "Mint green is not a neutral color."
6. "Your dining table should never be used as long-term storage space."
7. "Most buyers are not looking for Jeff Gordon themed houses."
8. "No amount of scented candles are going to remove that odor."
9. "Lack of lighting does not 'set the mood.'"
10. "Crotch-sniffing dogs rarely make good hosts."

There is a lot of work that goes into properly preparing a house for the real estate market.  This task is made easier by getting a professional evaluation from a trained home stager.   Stagers will identify the "red flags" that could hinder a sale as well as develop a plan that will make your listing stand out from the competition. 

The photos below show a "before and after" example of a KFM Staging consultation. 

   

Home staging has been a secret weapon in the real estate wars, and it continues to win victories in the current makret.  Even though some Realtors may not want to deliver the bad news to their clients; they can rely on professional stagers who will respectfully help sellers through the staging process.

KFM Staging & Design is a Minnesota home staging company that creates "First Impressions that Sell" in the Twin Cites and Western Wisconsin.  KFM specializes in vacant staging and staging consultations.  Visit our website for staging tips or to schedule your in-home or online consultation.