Couple days ago I met with Raj, the listing agent of 2001 McAllister, which I staged earlier this month, to de-stage the listing. (congrats Raj!) I was pretty shocked when I first heard it sold in 7 days since it was fresh after the new year, there just were not that much activities on the market. Also, I found on Craig's List that there was a competing unit in the complex that asked for $40,000 more and it's a lot bigger (the one I staged was 1BR/1BA, the competing unit was 2BR/2BA). Well, but after seeing their photos, I was not too surprised.
Here is the competing unit's listing photos:
(How do you like the irregular shaped photo? And time stamp? Maybe I should write another Listing Photo No-No blog post: see the previous post Top 10 Ugly Listing Photo "Trends" that Need to Go with 2006)
And here are some of the listing photos after I staged it:
Hmm, I wonder which listing I would pick?
The listing actually sold for over-asking price in additions to selling after 7 days on market. I asked Raj flat out: "Did you think staging made a significance in selling this unit?" "Yes, of course. It slowed down the buyers. And the seller was complaining about paying for staging, painting, all that stuff, now it's all paid for with the overasking price with money left over." He also mentioned that the best thing was it was moved off the market faster because that makes the process all easier.
This is just a great & wonderful success story of why staging works. And I figure I should share 
If you are curious to see the before & after photos of this property, go to: http://www.staged4more.com/2001mcallistersf.html
Cheers,
Cindy@staged4more
Cindy Lin, Founder + General Manager
Staged4more Home Staging & Redesigns
www.staged4more.com
Direct: 650-293-7458
Office: 650-589-8875
As featured and seen on HGTV, San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo County Times, CBS 5 News, Forbes.com, Examiner.com and many other notable presses and publications.
Proud winner of Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur Award, Make Mine A Million, CSP Green Business of the Year and finalists to Innovator of the Year, Stager of the Year Awards from Real Estate Staging Association.
*PSSSS... Want a little saintly help? Check out our sister company EcoJoe, the Original Eco-Friendly St Joseph Home Selling Kit www.ecojoekits.com ; www.facebook.com/ecojoe
That's a nice Condo, how old is the complex?
Oh, and you did a very nice job in staging it and yes I think that helped you sell it!
I love your work Cindy, very chic! Do you rent your furniture or is it your own stock. That complex is beautiful also.
Hi Cindy,
Beautiful staging job and beautiful success story! I was admiring how you stamped your website address on the bottom of the page. Would you mind sharing with us how you did that?
Hi Cindy,
Fabulous job. Nice fast sale! It's always great to see the before and after pictures. I love the white couch and chair. Did you rent them or buy them and if so where??? :)
Hi Cindy,
Congratulations on this successful project! And thanks for putting this testimonial up on AR.
Do you put your URL on all of your staging photos? Nice touch.
Veronica
Select Home Staging
Denver, Colorado
Hello all
THANKS for your warm feedbacks! I just may put you on my site as testimonials! ;)
Danny I believe the complex is about 5 years old? It's a fairly new space. It's a pretty cool place (of course with pretty hefty price tag), it comes with its own washington mutual, albertson, tanning salon, and close to a lot of restaurants and by the park.
Jessica&Janice I actually own all my furnishing & accessories, I have not yet rent furniture from companies, although at times it's very tempting. The couch & chair is actually IKEA! I love that couch. It just works great everywhere.
Marcyne Photoshop!
The Harper Team Hey that's a great question! I actually have not been tracking the blog part.I assume no one reads it since there are no comments on them...
Veronica I pretty much put URL on all my photos now. I LOVE and am very proud of my work, and since it's on a website where everyone can lift the photos, I now put URLs on all of them.
Cheers,
Cindy
Cindy - WAY TO GO!!! Clearly from the pictures you shared here and on the other site, staging works and makes a huge difference for most buyers. Nicely done!
Ann
Great staging, Cindy, and congratulations. You have a raving fan I think.
Not only did the client MAKE more money when selling, but think how much was saved by not having it sit there (condo fees, taxes, insurance, utilities, mortgage payment, etc). A winner all around.
Jeff
Cindy: You're making a believer out of me. What a great difference your staging made. Congrats
Ozark Joan
Cindy,
Good point about "lifting pictures" from your website and the use of the URL in your photos. I hadn't thought of that.
Veronica
Cindy - In your reply to Veronica, you mentioned putting your URL ON all your pictures. How do you do that? I understand the need to do it, but can't figure out how to do it.
Thanks,
Ann
Congratulations, Cindy. I'm taking this post to our Listing Agent meeting on Friday to show them why we need to include professional staging in our marketing plan. The photos and results make it completely obvious.
Cindy,
Thanks for the post. I am coming upon my first staging opportunity for a vacant property, that is undergoing renovation. I am excited about the prospect of being apart of the transformation! Your highlights are right on target!
Cindy,
Congratulations...the place looks great, as well as, the photos. What type of digital camera do you use?
Cindy -- Congratulations on another successful staging job! You are an inspiration to stagers everywhere!
HMMMM?? Yours of course, obviously others thought so too, great job
Phyllis pafumi