(The realtor) literally could not believe the difference in the house.  In fact she suggested we price the house $10,000 more than what we had initially agreed upon…  We had lots of showings, all feedback was the house looked wonderful and we had a firm contract in 31 days.  My goal was to have a contract in a month!  As you can see Listing Impression was a very smart business decision.

Melanie Micheletti, Homeowner

The home is so gorgeous. I couldn't believe it. They just gushed over their virtual tour and kept saying "is that my house!?"  They wanted me to thank you for being so sweet with them and extend their apologies for all the emotion that day. I knew this would be tough for them. That's why they wanted "family" handling it.  I am so thrilled to be working with such honorable and kind people.  Thanks so much.
K. Key Reynolds, Realtor

Please contact us

WhyStage?

What is home "staging" or "real estate enhancement", and what is its purpose?
Staging is simply preparing a house to be placed on the market for sale so that their best features are showcased and any problem areas minimized.  It also means neutralizing the space so that potential buyers can picture themselves in the space more easily.

This is the art of creating a welcoming and inviting living space… drawing people in…so they feel comfortable and inspired…imagining themselves living there. This is accomplished by knowing where to add or subtract accessories and furniture…utilize color, texture and lighting…and improve traffic patterns in order to make the home appear more spacious, brighter, and inviting.

A stager is a design professional who assists a Realtor and home seller in identifying the home’s strengths. The stager’s objective is to make a house look as good as possible to as many potential buyers as possible.


Can a professional stager add even more to your home’s appearance and appeal?
Absolutely!! Stagers use a proven, professional set of guidelines to evaluate your home.  Recommendations are designed to maximize your home’s appeal.
Simply by rearranging furniture, the illusion of more space can be created, making rooms appear larger. Adding different accessories from other parts of the house can give rooms a fresh, updated look.

Are you a home inspector? If I hire you will I still need to get a home inspection?
NO, I am not a home inspector. My analysis and consultation is for cosmetic and merchandising purposes only. Some of the things I may point out, such as peeling paint or a roof that looks like it might have seen better days, may overlap with what a home inspector tells you. However, I do not analyze or know anything about mechanical, structural, electrical, roofing or plumbing issues, etc. I do not know if you need a home inspector, and I do not take the place of one.

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Why should I hire someone to "enhance" my property when I already have books, videos and a realtor who has made some suggestions?
Books, videos, pamphlets and general to-do lists are a good starting point. They are, however, too generic for optimal enhancement. Your property is unique and requires personalized attention and suggestions. Because you live in the home, you are probably no longer consciously aware of all the little details that need to be considered when preparing your home to appeal to the broadest range of buyers. It is almost impossible to be neutral about one's own living environment. Therefore, it is necessary to know how buyers perceive your home and then make the changes needed for broader appeal.

Many Realtors are good at making sellers aware of what is needed and how best to do it…however, most Realtors, even when they know how, don't have the time to do the in-depth analysis and consultation necessary to enhance the home and property for "maximum merchandising and marketing" purposes.

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Why do I have to worry about all the little things? Can't I do the major things and then just keep the house picked up and clean? My home seems fine to me just as it is.
Of course you can and should do the major things…and keeping the house clean is a must. Most buyers don't immediately want to paint, change the carpet, redo the floors, or repair and stain the fence, etc. They want a place that sparkles…a home they feel is immediately livable (even if it is not exactly their taste) for three to five years without any additional expense or hassle. Taking care of the many "little" details completes the transformation of your home…making it the very best it can be. People respond positively to homes that look good, seem loved and are obviously well cared for. Your goal is for buyers to be both impressed and comfortable…who are able to imagine themselves living in your "For Sale" property.

Your home is undoubtedly "fine" for you and your every day living. You have it exactly the way you like it and feel comfortable with the way things are. Now, however, you have to look at it and experience it as a complete stranger would. That is what I mean when I say that homeowners have a hard time being completely neutral about their living spaces. When buyers come to look at your home and property, it is the first impression that makes them want to explore or not explore your home as a possibility for themselves. Your home is a stage set or a three-dimensional painting…which people either immediately like or not.

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Will I be able to increase the price of my property if I make these suggested changes?
You may not be able to tack on the additional "enhancement" expenses to the price of the house. Since the goal is to make a home IRRESISTABLE to the broadest range of buyers…they really are necessary expenses if you want to be competitive. It stands to reason that if a house is the best and most appealing in its price range, it sells more quickly and for more money.
Sellers have to realize that, in the long run, they may not be saving money by allowing their listing to linger on the market…"stale" listings do not sell as well or for as much money. Living on "high alert" is stressful. Most sellers want to get on with life and regain a relaxed state of mind. Only you can decide whether "to stage or not to stage".

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After the initial consultation do I have to hire you to do the work?
No. Most real estate professionals agree that at least an initial consultation from a design professional enable the homeowners to take the task on themselves. Consultations are an in-depth look at the home (inside and out), addressing overall layout, furnishings, lighting, flooring, balance, flow, first impressions and much more. Generally a consultation takes one to two hours depending on the size of the home.

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How much does staging cost?
You do not have to spend a fortune to stage your home for sale. It can be as inexpensive as simply removing clutter, or just hiring a professional stager, landscaper or handyman for repairs. Costs can vary from $150 for a consultation with pictures and comprehensive to-do list with detailed suggestions. A number of recent articles provide general statistics on the costs and benefits of staging.

Do I have to stage an entire home?
Absolutely not! A few carefully arranged vignettes or places to ponder can enhance the look of any home for sale. Consult with a local stager who can provide artwork, accessories, plants, lighting, furniture and more to elicit a positive emotional response from buyers.

Experts agree that main living areas sell a home. We recommend focusing on formal living rooms, dining rooms and family rooms, master bedroom, master bathroom and kitchen. Additionally, you should address any room that the future homeowner may find difficult to furnish.

In addition, any empty room will benefit from the addition of plants, properly placed artwork, an entry table or a comfortable chair near a bay window.

What do I do with existing color schemes, wallpaper, paint, etc.?
It is absolutely imperative to make your home as generic as possible. When in doubt go neutral. Often by neutralizing wallpaper and dark paint colors, a home actually appears larger, brighter and more appealing to a potential buyer.

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Does it make any difference whether my house is already on the market or not, before I have my home Staged?
Ideally, you would want to Stage your home before it goes on the market. However, if your home is already on the market, Staging now decreases any additional time it could sit. Not to mention you can save thousands of dollars that are being chipped off the asking price with sitting time.


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Serving sellers and real estate agents selling vacant and occupied homes in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas.

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