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I happened upon a blog today on www.redfin.com , a San Francisco area real estate site. The author, Brenda Keener, brings up the topic of “Staging for Living”, a service that we home stagers are schooled in and offer to our non-selling clients. Here is the post in its entirety:

Staging Your Home - Not Just for Sellers
“Today I decided to host a “pre-Christmas” garage sale in the spirit of “out with the old, in with the new”. One great thing about garage sales is that you really get a chance to meet and converse with all your neighbors.

One neighbor told me that she had just had her home staged, but has no intention of selling. This struck me as odd, and I asked why. She told me she was tired of clutter and tired of cleaning, and the professional stagers moved her existing furniture around so that her home was free of clutter and easier to clean. She said it looks so clean that buyers are asking her to sell!

This sounds like a great Christmas present to give to yourself - a clean, organized home. She did say it wasn’t cheap, but that she was enjoying her home once more. Now, what price tag can you put on that?”

Although I promote myself as a “home stager for real estate resale”, I have staged homes for owners who are not selling and only desire a fresh, uncluttered look in their home. The principles are basically the same for resale or living. The main difference is that I don’t remove all personal items and photos from rooms. I call it “Staging Plus”! I use basic, proven staging techniques for furniture, focal points and decluttering, and then add back family photos and other accessories that makes the client’s house a “home”. The results can be astounding. Most times, clients are amazed at how good their homes can look!

This may be a new concept to many, but WXYZ Channel 7 Action News was way ahead of the curve and featured a story about this very topic in October, 2005. To view the segment on Staging for Living, follow this link, graciously supplied by my staging colleague Heather Durren of Beverly Hills-based Staging Places. Heather and I, along with about 10 other Accredited Staging Professionals ™ spent half a day rearranging the homeowners’ furnishings and imparted a whole new look and feel to their home. (By the way, Joann Purtan is a sweetheart in person!!!)

Home stagers specialize in preparing a home for a quick and profitable sale, but if you’re tired of your home’s condition and need a pick-me-up, contact an ASP or IRIS (Interior Redesign Industry Specialist) in your area. I know a few good ones!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and wildly prosperous 2008!

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Written by Marianne Sweet
Home Sweet Home Staging, (586) 212-8400
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