Apostle Art Home Staging & Design Blog

If you have been watching "America's Got Talent" over the past few weeks, then you know who Prince Poppycock is and if you watched the final performances you will also know that he got buzzed with a big, fat "X" from one of the judges.

Love him or hate him, he made it to the final. He had some appeal but was it enough?

All throughout the competition, the judges would make comments to the contestants like. It was a "nice" performance but at this stage in the game you've got to be the best...we are looking for the best!

So...it got me thinking...How many listings out there are like Prince Poppycock? Good enough to go so far but not quite enough to take them to the "TOP" of a buyers list. Do they have broad enough appeal to be the winner in this competitive market or are they just "nice enough to get noticed?" You know the old saying..."Almost doesn't count except in hand granades and horseshoes." Well, the same goes for Real Estate...almost getting a contract means not getting a contract...it's like almost winning the lottery!!

Buyers are looking for the best...so give them the best you've got!!

The "Best" way to do that is to hire "The Best" Agent you can, List at "The Best" Price for your particular market and Hire "The Best Professional Stager" to push your property to the TOP of the list!! The competition is tough out there and Professionally Staging your home will give you "THE BEST" possible chance for a fast and profitable sale!

Statistics are now showing that Professionally Staged homes can sell up to 6 times faster than comparable un-staged homes and for more money.

While it is never too late to get great results, it is best to Stage before you list so every buyer will see your "BEST" because the only "X" you want to be seeing is the one showing you where to sign at closing!

Professional Stagers know that Staging is not decorating. We know Staging is about creating a home that is neutrally pleasing to a wide range of potential buyers. We know that, if tastefully done, Zebra stripes may work well for accents in a staged room but... a 22 foot, hand painted Zebra ceiling with black and purple walls may not work for most buyers unless, of course, they have a teenage daughter!

Yesterday, after spending 11 painstaking hours painting stripes on a ceiling, I said to my client..."You know we have to paint over this when you want to sell!" That's ok though... Their 19 year old daughter is estatic over her new space and can't wait to move in and stare at her ceiling...LOL!!

So, some advice...  

Zebra Stripes on ceilings: For Staging...NO!!

Zebra Stripes on ceilings: Before Staging...NOT ADVISED!!   I have a big Staging job tomorrow that I have to shop, pack and plan for all day today...into the night, and then get up early for a marathon Staging. So pulling a Michaelangelo yesterday for 11 hours was probably not the best pre-staging activitity. For those of you who are not stagers and only see the end result...Staging is VERY physical and a lot of hard work! We work magic but do not carry a wand...if only!!

Here are some pics of the project...the room needs some more finishing work, new windows, wall paint, lighting, ect... ( I kind of wish the trim was done white but I think they wanted to match what was in the rest of the house!) Hard to tell the scale from the photos but this room is 22 feet long!! Can't wait to see it all done and decorated. : )

 ~Apostle Art Home Staging & Design offers professional real estate staging services to sellers, real estate agents and investors, as well as Design Services for homes and businesses located in the Pocono Mountains Region and beyond. www.apostleart.com ~

If you are selling your home or are a Real Estate Agent with Vacant or Occupied listing located in North Eastern Pennsylvania, The Pocono Mountains, Greater Stroudsburg Area and beyond...Please call us now so we can bring life to your listing and get you results with our Professional Home Staging Services...570-972-7939.