Staged vs. vacant, colors vs. neutralizing

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by NCHomeFinder

PDXMom - You sound like a listing agent's dream! Not everyone is willing to put money into a house they are moving out of, but each of your points is excellent, and you will certainly reap the reward.
Best wishes!

I might be a listing agent's dream. But I am a hairdreser's nightmare. The last few times I got my hair cut the my hairdresser knew what colors I had been painting by bits of paint somehow hidden underneath. LOL

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by tigerlily

PDX Mom you hit the nail on the head for the Portland area. My house has been freshly painted using both DeVine and Benjamin Moore paints. DeVine Paints are so thick you may not need a dropcloth. I've found that Benjamin Moore's Start and Finish Primer covers dark colors completely if you want to repaint with lighter neutrals. I understand that Moore paints also has an environmentally friendly line. Also, we have a John Boos Stainless Steel Worktable in our kitchen -- no need for a center island. Only problem I don't want to leave it with house. And, of course, all hardwood refinished.

Tigerlily, your house should move quickly!! I would have a hard time parting w/ the John Boos Worktable too!!! Don't give it up unless you get the full asking price.

And you are so right about that Devine paint and not needing a dropcloth. Some got on my clawfoot tub and dried before I saw it. It came up w/ just my fingernail!! So love that paint and so glad we can get it in the triangle after we move!!

I hope your house sales quickly!!

[Stonecoldharbours]

My home sold in one day....just bout two weeks ago! I had it staged of course and I always gardened and had some nice upgrades such as plantation shutters and stone flooring, and I want to add to be sure to neutrailze the air, esp if you have pets and/or cats, or smoke, they can be real turn offs...trust me on that! It is a very competive market out there, so be sure to add what you can, declutter and make it as spacious and as homey as possible!!!

[OmegaBaby]

I hired a professional stager to go through our house and give us a list of suggestions. I was very pleased with the results. I'm planning on putting my house on the market today, so hopefully it will have been worth it.

Some specifics that she had us do...
- Repainted specific rooms where the color wasn't suitable (e.g. too bold), and she told us the colors to use.
- Remove wallpaper from our bathroom.
- Rearranged furniture to make the rooms look as big as possible.
- Replace lightbulbs with the brightest possible.
- Inexpensive landscaping tips (mulch, flowers, etc...)
- Added several indoor houseplants.
- Minor things that she noticed that we wouldn't have.
etc...

[Erin1264]

Your pictures look great! Good luck, I'm sure the place will sell quickly.

I am the one that started this thread and my home sold with our bold colors and vacant. It was just a matter of the right people coming along. We had a pond on the property and a nearby state road - much bigger issues than paint colors and staging. We had lots of positive comments on how well the home showed.

[Stonecoldharbours]

I did most of what you had done here and we also have bold colors in our home as well, one room was our clutter room, but I warned them bout it first, they didn't care, it was excatly what they were looking for! Good thing we did not paint or remove carpeting too, cause they were not going to change it and we got our asking price as well! A staged home can be done, I did it all on my own! Good luck!!

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by jbognar

I hired a professional stager to go through our house and give us a list of suggestions. I was very pleased with the results. I'm planning on putting my house on the market today, so hopefully it will have been worth it.

Some specifics that she had us do...
- Repainted specific rooms where the color wasn't suitable (e.g. too bold), and she told us the colors to use.
- Remove wallpaper from our bathroom.
- Rearranged furniture to make the rooms look as big as possible.
- Replace lightbulbs with the brightest possible.
- Inexpensive landscaping tips (mulch, flowers, etc...)
- Added several indoor houseplants.
- Minor things that she noticed that we wouldn't have.
etc...

Good job! I hope it sells quickly for you.

[Ohiogirl81]

I like to see a vacant house, myself. I have an easier time envisioning my own stuff in the house if it's vacant; plus, it's easier to see any flaws in the floors, walls, windows, etc.

And I do believe professional staging is a waste of time and money. Get rid of the clutter, clean from top to bottom, put a pretty tablecloth on the kitchen table and maybe some fresh flowers, wash the windows ... and voila!

Originally Posted by Erin1264

Paint is so easy to change that it is a shame it may be a stumbling block for some buyers. I understand it can ruin deals.

I totally don't get that. People walk into a house and get turned off from the paint color ... or the furniture? They're not buying the furniture, and painting a room takes a day, two tops. Oy.