Few types of people are in as much of a rush to sell as those going through a divorce. It’s a wonder that all couples going through the process don’t choose to work with a home stager, especially with stories like the one Staging Diva Graduate Carol King recently sent in, proving that home staging works.
Before becoming a home stager at the age of 62, Carol was a single mother operating her
own hair salon. Though she’d always loved redecorating, she hadn’t considered changing careers to pursue a career in the field. Not even when she found herself staging a vacant home for a divorcing couple.
Carol naturally brought in furniture and accessories, art and flowers to make it feel warm and inviting, knowing that the home shouldn’t be on the market vacant.
The home sold on its first day after being staged after the divorcing couple was presented with multiple offers. They ended up selling for well over their asking price.
It’s a shame that Carol didn’t take before and after photos of this project, but this was before she realized she was a home stager.
This goes to show, even if you just enjoy decorating right now and don’t have plans to start a business, you should be taking before and after photos just in case!
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Six Elements Inc. Home Staging
Debra Gould knows how to make money as a home stager and she developed the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love while helping others at the same time.
[tags]home stager, home staging, staging diva, home staging training, home staging business, staging diva graduate, home staging training[/tags]
Carol, What a great story and testimonial for your portfolio. I recall my first staging project. The house had been on the market 6 months and once staged , SOLD first showing. This gave me all the confidence I needed and made me realize my talents. Of course, I also have Debra to thank for all her expertise ….. Congrats on a job well done !!!!!
Gary Baugher, An Eye 4 Change Home Staging Nashville, TN.
Your comment on taking pictures “just in case” is so true Debra! If I had been taking before and after pictures of all the rooms I’ve decorated over the years for myself, friends and family, I’d have enough content to publish a book!
Carol, Congratulations. What a terrific launch to your new career. Continued success.
What an encouraging article…it’s always great when we stage a home and it sells right away! I love that feeling. Home staging can make or break a sale, but the home has to be right as well. I’m working with an investor right now who’s house is so cute, he’s done all the right stuff and hired me to stage it.
We brought in furniture, accessories and art. It looks fabulous. However, because the house doesn’t have a dining area (anywhere, although we put one in the living room), or a garage, it’s not selling. We can work magic, but we can’t change the basic structure of the house! I feel for this guy – he’s such a nice person to work with.
Debbie
I’ve been staging clients’ houses for 7 years now and I still never get over that feeling of magic that happens when I take a house that’s been sitting on the market without selling, remove some clutter, and rearrange what’s already there and it sells right away.
Debbie, you’re right we can’t change the basic structure but if we make what’s there as great as it can be, someone will be willing to overlook some of the other problems and buy anyway.
After all, who of us has ever bought a 100% perfect house that met every one of our desired attributes, in the right location, with the perfect school in walking distance and for the right price? It never happens. Every house has both positives and negatives and every purchase is a trade off of some kind.
Thanks to everyone for your wonderful comments,it is very encouraging.
Carol