Home Staging Set It Straight

 

 

Do you see what we saw? Those walls and awkward angles?  This isn’t tick-of-the-eye photography; those walls truly are NOT straight. In fact this Hollywood Hills home had very few 90 degree angles in the floorplan due to the awkward lot on which it was built many years ago.  While it is an lovely home and has amazing views, the floorplan even left the investor a little stumped – let alone Buyers…  So our Home Staging Professionals were called in and we set it all straight.

 

In the dining room, a standard rectangular table would have only accented the fact that the room was shaped like a trapizoid, so we used a round dining table to keep the flow moving through the space.  The all glass table and chrome and leather chairs added sparkle to the space as well to the views from the picture windows were the focus, not the awkward angles.  In the Family Room the furniture sets the room straight and shows Buyers how all of the off-angled walls are NOT a hinderence to how they can live in the space.

The beauitful king bed in the Master Bedroom anchored the room to emphasize the size of the space and how wonderful it could be to live and sleep there. Rather than have Buyers focus on the different angles of the walls.

Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been successfully Staging Homes in the Ventura and Los Angeles County areas for over 10 years.  Home Staging estimates are always FREE ~ call us today at (818) 878-9936

  

Really, You STILL Have Doubts?!?!?! #HomeStaging

• 5347  Hinton Ave, West Hills - In escrow within 48 hours and $15,000 over asking price
• 5101 Vanalden, Tarzana - In escrow in less than 1 week and $10,000 over asking price
• 15275 Valley Vista, Encino - In escrow within 48 hours
• 1191 Calle Arroyo, Thousand Oaks - In escrow in 5 days
• 3733 Medea Creek, Agoura - Vacant for 4 months without any offers; then Staged and in escrow in 10 days
• 424 N. Croft, Hollywood - Vacant and no offers for 3 months; Staged and in escrow in 1 week
• 146 Kingsley, Los Angeles - In escrow in less than 2 weeks
• 3109 Stanford, Marina Del Rey - In escrow in 2 1/2 weeks
• 2044 Coldwater Canyon, Beverly Hills - In escrow in less than 2 weeks
• 506 Solway, Los Angeles - In escrow in 2 weeks
•  17528 Arminta, Northridge - ALL CASH FULL PRICE offer in less than 1 week after Staging
• 5100 Oakdale, Tarzana - 4 months with NO offers. In escrow in less than 1 week
• 5455 Napoleon Ave, Agoura - No offers for 6 months. Staged and sold in 6 weeks
• 20112 Clark Street, Encino - In escrow in 5 weeks
• 6661 Sheltondale, West Hills - ALL CASH, FULL PRICE, 15 day escrow just 3 days after Staging!!!
• Glenoaks Apartment Complex – 70% Occupancy rate just 45 days after Staging the model unit
• 1314 17th Street, Santa Monica - On the market for 3 months – in escrow in 9 days after Staging
• 3341 Granville, Los Angeles - In escrow in 1 week
• 25673 Friar, Woodland Hills - In Escrow in less than 2 weeks

We haven’t blogged in a while simply because our Team at Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been so busy Staging homes in the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties that we’ve hardly had time to breath!  We are SO proud that our Staged homes are going under contract so quickly, that we wanted to share some of our most recent successes with you.   ALL of these homes were Staged in 2011 and we KNOW the proof is in the pudding.   With results such as these, there is NO disputing that Home Staging can and WILL benefit every Seller, Investor or Listing Realtor who has a vacant, owner occupied or “challenged” home or listing on the market.

DON’T waste valuable time and money putting your home or listing on the market “as is” to test the market! Call Platinum Home Staging today for your FREE  Home Staging Estimate! 818.878.9936

 

 Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been successfully Staging Homes in the Ventura and Los Angeles County areas for over 10 years.  For the protection of you, and your investment, Platinum Home Staging, Inc. is FULLY Licensed and Insured.

Home Staging estimates are always FREE ~ call us today at (818) 878-9936 

 PLATINUM  HOME STAGING, INC.  

2011 Blog in Review ~ You Rocked Our Year, Thank You!

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,300 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

::: Don’t Make Buyers Hit a Brick Wall :::

Often times when you enter a property and open the front door to a home or condo there is typically an “entry” area. The area that welcomes Potential Buyers. This area is the first impression of the interior of the home and can make or break those crucial “15 seconds” to make an impact  on the Buyer.  Some homes might have wide open spaces, grand stair cases and vaulted ceilings; while others others may have low ceilings and closed in entries. Regardless: the first “15 seconds” when a Buyer or Buyers Agent enters your home is critical. For nearly 3 YEARS This was what welcomed Buyers and Agents in this home…

This is what Potential Buyers and Realtors saw IMMEDIATELY as they entered this beautiful ranch home: a cold, white, painted brick wall. It is actually the side of a double sided fireplace that splits the massive living space nearly in half. However, as one enters this home there were no walls to place a small table, standard eight foot ceilings and a smaller round table would have just stopped you at the door: not very welcoming. We couldn’t exactly ignore this big white elephant in the room either. The solution:

 

Platinum Home Staging embraced it and made it as if it were meant-to-be. The brick wall became the  ”welcome pad” – our entry if you will. With a large color washed painting, textural elements and a touch of sparkle; Buyers and Agents were welcomed in with bright colors and a vision of the potential of what the home had to offer.   Buyers no longer hit a brick wall, when they enter the home!

So after 3 YEARS of being on the market and multiple price reductions: this house SOLD in the first 2 weeks of being Staged – to the VERY FIRST BUYER who entered the home.   The only regrets the Seller had to Staging???? “…Not doing it sooner!”

Home Staging estimates are always FREE ~ call us today at (818) 878-9936 

 PLATINUM  HOME STAGING, INC.    

 

Home Staging the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

5 Reasons You Should Stage Your Los Angeles or Ventura County Home

Something we often hear from Sellers, Realtors, Developers and “Flippers” is hesitation to Stage their homes in the Southern CA area. The “slow” Real Estate market, “low profit margins”, and sometimes personal factors come into play.  Here are five reasons why it IS a smart investment and ultimately why ALL homes can benefit from Professional Home Staging, especially in the Los Angeles and Ventura County areas:

 

 

1) First-Time Buyers: The majority of the people looking to buy homes under $500,000 are First-Time Buyers. They are excited, they are scared, they want to make sure they get the MOST for their money because after all, it’s a BIG investment and they want to make sure that they are making the right decision when buying their first house. Since the majority of the demographic coming to tour your home is going to be the First-Time Buyer your home needs to be marketed towards THEM. Staging your home to its fullest potential and highlighting selling points such as built ins, wood floors or a great garden view will help them remember YOUR home when they are visiting EVERY house in that market.

 

2) Awkward Floor Plans: Often times Developers of smaller homes or condos are trying to maximize every square foot possible for marketing, while flippers may often times remove existing walls to create a more “open” floor-plan; both resulting in awkward floor plans. Small rooms, “bump outs”, lofts or oddly placed windows may leave Buyers guessing and confused. Staging can help define the area in question, while high-lighting other great features of the space ultimately making it feel cohesive, not awkward.

 

3) Size and Scale: Are there bedrooms in your house or listing that contain two HUGE armoires, a dresser, two night stands and a Queen size bed? Typically homes that are overburdened with excess furniture and rooms filled to the brim with accessories or collectables will actually make even a large room feel claustrophobic. Professional Home Stagers can help alleviate the congestion and bring the room back to its original size and scale.  In Vacant properties, Professional Home Staging can actually make a very small room feel large and roomy.

 

4) First Impressions are EVERYTHING: The NAR (National Association of Realtors) announced in 2011 that over 87% of all Buyers shop for homes on the Internet and will literally “write-off” your home with a simple click of a mouse if it does not catch their eye in how the home is presented in those few on-line pictures. Make sure that first impression is a memorable one and that they will WANT to come see your home personally.

5) “The right price will bring your home interest; Staging it will bring offers.” – Gary Keller, Keller Williams. All things be equal: price, location, square footage, number of rooms and bedrooms, etc the price will bring interest to your home; but Staging is what will bring in offers. When touring houses, Buyers make a snap decision within the first ten seconds upon entering your home. “Is it clean?”, “Is it inviting?”, “Is it maintained?” but most importantly, “Can I see myself living here?”  That FIRST impression is what will make your house stand out among the homes that Buyers are touring. You may very well be helping to sell the house down the street by NOT Staging your home.

 

If you are located in the Los Angeles or Ventura County areas and are ready to sell your home or listing, contact Platinum Home Staging, Inc. for your free Home Staging estimate. (818) 878-9936

Are You Going to Hire a Home Stager? Here Are Some Points to Consider

Something most Home Owners and Realtors may not be aware of, is that there is not an independent or national oversight organization such as NAR for Realtors, that certifies or licenses Home Stagers. There ARE member based organizations which enforce a strict Code of Ethics for its members and communities such as the Real Estate Staging Association. That being said, here are few questions that will help you to choose the RIGHT Home Stager for you.

1. Find a Stager with the most experience in actually Staging homes: There are many training, “certifying” and “accrediting” companies which, within just a few days, or a couple weeks, can turn anyone who takes their course into a “certified” or “accredited” home stager. Since there is not currently any government or oversight, ANYONE can “become a stager” almost overnight. Don’t hire just any home stager; Experience and professionalism trumps “certification”.

2. Do they have a valid business license and are they insured? If the Home Stager you are considering to hire is NOT insured you are putting yourself, your investment, your home (and/or your Client Home Owner) at SERIOUS RISK. Just think; what happens if:
*…your home stager or someone they hire throws out their back while moving a couch and they are not insured; YOU COULD BE LIABLE for their injuries

*…your home stager scratches your newly refinished wood floors while moving a chair and are not insured; YOU’RE OUT OF LUCK

*…if a potential Buyer trips over the edge of a curled up area rug and twists their ankle and your home stager is NOT insured; YOU COULD BE HELD LIABLE

We take the protection of you and your Clients VERY seriously because we are RESA-Pro professionals who have been Staging Homes for over 10 years. Platinum Home Staging, Inc. is FULLY Insured with General Liability, Workers Compensation as well as Owned and Hired Auto Insurance.

3. Does the Stager have a printed portfolio or website with before and after photography? If they don’t have a current staging portfolio, they may have never done a staging job, or very few. If they have a website, you need to get past the first page. In other words; make sure that their portfolio contains photos that are of their own work. Not of stock photography purchased over the Internet, supplied by the “certifying” training course or shared before and after photos in a centralized web-site. Does their website have current information on recently staged properties or successes in today’s market and economy?

4. Do they offer a range of Staging options and styles, or is it “one-style-fits-all”. An experienced and professional Home Stager should have the resources to transition their staging to the style of the HOME and the market demographics in your area to target the Buyers in your area.

5. Ask for references, and then check those references. When did they work with the Stager? Were they pleased with the results? How soon did the property sell? Would they hire that stager again? And ask for more than just one professional reference: Home Owner, Realtor, Developer, etc
Once you have done your due diligence, you’ll be able to make the confident decision that you have chosen the right Home Stager. Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been successfully Staging Homes in the Ventura and Los Angeles County areas for over 10 years.  Call us today for your FREE Home Staging estimate. (818) 878-9936

Home Staging in West Hills Helped Get it Sold in DAYS; Not MONTHS!

Platinum Home Staging, Inc. staged this family home in West Hills, CA on October 31, 2011 – it hit the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on November 2, 2011 = we’re ESTATIC to report that this home received an ALL CASH OFFER with a 15 day escrow and we are already De-Staging it on November 22, 2011 as it is due to close escrow ANY day now!

With success, after success: Staging your home, listing, investment property or apartment or condo complexwith Platinum Home Staging, Inc. JUST  MAKES  SMART  SENSE!  While saving you LOTS of cents by getting your home or listing SOLD faster, even in this “down” market.

For more pictures of this property and other current projects we’re working on, visit our Facebook Page

 

 Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been successfully Staging Homes in the Ventura and Los Angeles County areas for over 10 years.  For the protection of you, and your investment, Platinum Home Staging, Inc. is FULLY Licensed and Insured.

Home Staging estimates are always FREE ~ call us today at (818) 878-9936 

 PLATINUM  HOME STAGING, INC.    

 

Home Staging the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

3 Months with ZERO OFFERS: Staged & in Escrow in Less Than 1 WEEK!

                                   

“Cold, sterile, lifeless….”  these were just a few of the discriptions the Seller and Realtor of this listing were hearing for nearly 3 months as this home sat vacant on the MLS listings… without a single offer.  They thought that this listing, with it’s newly painted walls, new floors and upgraded kitchen: would “sell itself”.   Knowing that Platinum Home Staging, Inc.  had transformed previous listings ~ they called our Home Staging Professionals in to work our magic (yet again)  and we are happy to report that in less than a week of Staging the property, they received a full price offer and are due to close escrow in November 2011. (yet again

 Here a few more before and after pictures of what this Tarzana Home looked like before and after our Home Staging

 

 

 

 

 Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been successfully Staging Homes in the Ventura and Los Angeles County areas for over 10 years.  For the protection of you, and your investment, Platinum Home Staging, Inc. is FULLY Licensed and Insured.

Home Staging estimates are always FREE ~ call us today at (818) 878-9936 

 PLATINUM  HOME STAGING, INC.    

 

Home Staging the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

Full Price, All Cash in Northridge, CA Home Staging

So many times Buyers ask for an open-floor concept when shopping for a new home.  While Buyers ask for this, the open-floor concept often leaves them “stumped” as to where to place furniture and how to define each living space. When it comes to helping Realtors, Home Owners and Developers sell their homes in the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties quickly; they know to call  Platinum Home Staging, Inc.  as we know exactly how to make sense of open-floor concepts.

This home in Northridge was Staged by our Professionals within just days of receiving the very first call for “help!” and completed in just one day. We are proud to report that this house went into escrow within days with a FULL PRICE – ALL CASH offer and is currenlty due to close escrow November 2011!

 Platinum Home Staging, Inc. has been successfully Staging Homes in the Ventura and Los Angeles County areas for over 10 years.  For the protection of you, and your investment, Platinum Home Staging, Inc. is FULLY Licensed and Insured.

Home Staging estimates are always FREE ~ call us today at (818) 878-9936 

SELLING Your Home for the Holidays

This blog is for Realtors, Sellers & Stagers alike regarding the photography that might be taken this season to sell your listing or home. 

Home Owners: Although you might be tempted to trek out the HUGE holiday tree and all the trimmings please keep in mind a few things before you go overboard on the trimmings.  Your house, while on the market for sale, is no longer your home – it is a product for sale.  While you should still live in your home, be aware of what you put out first and what might be included in your listing photography.  Keep in mind as well that whatever you unpack to decorate with now, will only add to what needs to be packed up to move later should your home sell quickly.

Sure, a beautiful picture of the holiday tree in your living room might make your home feel warm and inviting – but what about in April if your home hasn’t sold?  Even a wreath on the front door can tell Buyers looking at your internet photos that your home has been on the market for a long time (too long)

Realtors:  Take these same thoughts into consideration when taking photographs of your listings before placing them on the MLS, or discuss this with your professional photographer ahead of time.  If your Seller is planning a big tree trimming party, maybe the photographs can be taken before the event so that every picture doesn’t scream “I’ve been on the market since December” when Buyers are looking at the listings in June.  Or at the very least, make a mental note that if a home has not opened escrow by say Valentine’s Day, that you update and CHANGE the listing photography on ALL your marketing.

The same goes for Mother Nature; in areas where snow is inevitable to taking curb shots of the home, make a note that at the first thaw you get updated pictures of the outside of the home.  And if you’re in an area that just got dumped on in the past month WITH snow, do you want all of your listing photos to be showing bright Spring flowers????  The reverse holds in this case,  if buyers are looking at your internet photos NOW (when there has been a foot of snow on the ground for the past month),  those great curb appeal shots taken in the summer are now screaming “been on the market for months!”.

Stagers:  Yes, we are visual beings by nature and many are now offering holiday decorating services.  Again, think ahead.  If the home remotely has a chance of being put on the market in the next 6 weeks, cautiously advise your home owners about the amount that might be used in decorating and not going overboard.  I once Staged a house just before the holidays in an “autumn theme” (pears, pumpkins, fall colors, etc) only to have the LREA bring in a full X-mas tree to make it look “more festive“…..  in a highly demographically Jewish community.  Our job as Stagers is to ensure the home is marketable to the general population, and always remember those all important before and after shots.  You don’t want all your after shots to be holiday themed to show prospective clients “this is what I can do!” when it’s the 4th of July.

I’m NOT a scrooge, I LOVE the holidays – but as professionals we need to think and plan ahead.

 PLATINUM  HOME STAGING, INC.    

 

Home Staging the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties