Dressed to Sell
Savvy home sellers are using stagers to create an ambience that will bring top dollar for their homes.
Arlene Roach has faced down pink carpet and floral wallpaper. She's
conquered clutter and vanquished vinyl. But nothing prepared her for the
window valences festooned with large red bows and furry fringe that she
encountered recently at a San Gabriel house for sale.
"We don't want potential buyers to zoom in on those," said Roach, one
of a growing number of experts who "stage"--or dress up--houses for sale.
"We need to bring out the strengths of the property."
So like a fairy godmother preparing Cinderella for the ball, Roach,
general manager of America's Home Tenders in Glendale, strategically
placed artwork away from the offending fabric, brought in some furniture
and warmed the kitchen counter with flowers. One week later, the ordinary
house that had sat unnoticed for months attracted a buyer.
"We create miracles," said Brentwood stager Ginger Atherton, owner of
Model Homes Interiors. "I take dark, dingy, worn and tired homes and turn
them into a luxurious lifestyle. That's what I really do, create a
lifestyle."
All over Southern California, sellers are plunking down anywhere from
$600 to $50,000 for stagers--decorators and real estate agents--to create
just the right ambience to fetch top dollar for their homes.
Whether in modest tract houses or grand estates, stagers are
conquered clutter and vanquished vinyl. But nothing prepared her for the
window valences festooned with large red bows and furry fringe that she
encountered recently at a San Gabriel house for sale.
"We don't want potential buyers to zoom in on those," said Roach, one
of a growing number of experts who "stage"--or dress up--houses for sale.
"We need to bring out the strengths of the property."
So like a fairy godmother preparing Cinderella for the ball, Roach,
general manager of America's Home Tenders in Glendale, strategically
placed artwork away from the offending fabric, brought in some furniture
and warmed the kitchen counter with flowers. One week later, the ordinary
house that had sat unnoticed for months attracted a buyer.
"We create miracles," said Brentwood stager Ginger Atherton, owner of
Model Homes Interiors. "I take dark, dingy, worn and tired homes and turn
them into a luxurious lifestyle. That's what I really do, create a
lifestyle."
All over Southern California, sellers are plunking down anywhere from
$600 to $50,000 for stagers--decorators and real estate agents--to create
just the right ambience to fetch top dollar for their homes.
Whether in modest tract houses or grand estates, stagers are
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