MANN REPORT: January 2009

Staging Mania

By Jill Vegas
Jill Vegas LLCNovember

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one more hold in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.
                        --- Henry Ward Beecher
                           (minister, 1813-1887)

While it’s freezing cold outside we can warm our hearts in knowing that it’s the season of fresh starts and new real estate sales. At Jill Vegas, we’ve been staging apartments, condos and homes since 2004. The second half of 2008 was our busiest season ever. With the glut of home make-over shows, homeowners have gotten savvy. Now more than ever people are staging their homes.

It’s important to remember that when you hire a stager, numbers count. Ask to see a list of staged properties and review sale results. What did the property initially list for, what did it sell for? How long was it on the market?

At Jill Vegas, we have a database of staged properties and we’re proud of the results. Staging is not about a pretty picture. It’s about maximizing your property value.

For comparison sake, here are examples of apartments I’ve staged, and some numbers:

  • 1 bedroom, 1 bath, listed at $570,000. We de-cluttered the apartment, painted the kitchen and bathroom, rearranged furniture and brought in new accessories. The property sold for $615,000.
  • 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, listed at $2.399 million. It was a loft space that felt “off.” The entryway was confusing. The dining room was in the middle of the foyer. The dining area had turned into a kids play area. We fixed the issues by rearranging furniture, bringing in accessories, and the owners got asking price.
  • 2 bedroom, 2 bath, listed at $1.395 million. The property belonged to a busy family of four. We de-cluttered the space, rearranged furniture, and spruced things up. The owners got $1.53 million!
  • 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, listed at $949,000. It was a crowded house with two small children. We de-cluttered, rearranged and brought in new decorative accessories. The owners got $956,000.
  • 5 bedroom, 4 bath, listed at $10.5 million. The owners were getting offers at $8.3 million. We held a staging boot camp for two days, reworking the place, getting rid of clunky furniture and clutter and re-arranging things. It sold for $9.5 million.

Many people want to know, when did these apartments sell? The answer is: it doesn’t matter. No one can predict what the market will do. All we can look at are the numbers and speculate. This is our fifth year of staging and we have the numbers which prove: staging works.

So whether you are looking to get a complete new look for your apartment with paint, Jill Vegas Collection furnishings and decorations, or whether you want some quick fixes, we can work with you to get what you are really looking for: a quick, no-hassle sale at a price that will keep you smiling until summer.

Jill Vegas
212-627-9402
jill@jillvegas.com
 

©2009 Jill Vegas LLC