CONVERTING THE CRITICS ...

In 11 years of working in this industry we have come across every critic imaginable.  When you start in a new industry you can expect a lot of flack as most people will question the value of what you do and continuously ask the question:

“IS IT WORTH IT?”  

Here, at Toronto Condo Staging & Design, we have worked very hard over the last decade to prove to the GTA (we haven’t tackled the world yet), that YES, staging works.

 
Even after all the media coverage that home staging has received in recent years we still run into those clients who fight every inch of the way. Even with past success stories and realtor encouragement, they are still not sure they want to spend the money.  That say to us “Is furniture really going to make that much difference?”

So when we have a story like the one we had at 116 George Street, we know we have to share it with you. Pretty simple background: Vacant unit with nice features. Very similar to many of the other vacant units on the market in the downtown area right now.  The owner’s realtors highly recommended staging the unit and warned us that we faced an uphill battle.  He finally and reluctantly agreed as his unit had been sitting on the market for a month with no offers.

We staged the property with beautiful modern and unique pieces.  Adding the warmth and personality it so desperately needed.

SOLD IN 3 DAYS FOR OVER ASKING

CRITIC CONVERTED!

“ I thought the staging was only furniture here and there, but in fact the stager put a lot of thought into his plan and the condo had full interior design work done to it. Smaller spaces, looked bigger and dark places, looked brighter. Nothing I could have done myself.” F. Verdier

Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook!  There you will find great info, links and quotes from our clients.  We are continually posting new pictures of our staging jobs on our Facebook page too.

Contact us at 416-829-9298 or info@torontocondostaging.com

Happy Holidays and ....

Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season and all the best for 2013 from all of us here, at Toronto Condo Staging and Design Inc!

And remember ....

Many people think that staging in December isn't worth the time and money.  Most people seem to feel that everyone is busy thinking about getting ready for the holidays - not looking for the new condo.  We think it is still important to get your condo listed and shown the best it can be!

We believe so strongly that we quite often do winter promotions, like our newly launched DEFERRED RENEWALS PROGRAM.  We want to take the risk out of staging for you, so if your property doesn't sell in 90 days, the renewals are on us!  If it does sell, all accrued renewals will not be due until your closing date!  Please call us today for more info.

The proof is in the pudding ... figgy pudding!  A recent client, who is a realtor, was feeling nervous about staging in December.  They sat down with us and talked about the benefits of staging  and how we could help them with costs.  They decided to go ahead and we staged December 12th, at 1202 Dundas Street East.

On Monday we arrived at the office to learn that the unit has been sold!  Here are the stats of the sale and our clients thoughts:

"Our unit sold in 1 day, at 97% of asking.  I have used Toronto Condo Staging before and would highly recommend Darren & Lucie.  They are professional and the results are always amazing!  Thanks for another successful transaction!"  Sincerely, Wobize

Let us work for you, the same way we did for them and sell your unit for more money and faster!

Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook!  There you will find great info, links and quotes from our clients.  We are continually posting new pictures of our staging jobs on our Facebook page too.

Contact us at 416-829-9298 or info@torontocondostaging.com

Top 10 Reasons People Walk ...

There could be a reason why it seems that no one likes your home and you can't understand why.  Some things potential buyers can't ignore and they don't have anything to do with your home!

I was browsing on line and found an article about the "Top 10 Ways to make Home Buyers Hate Your House".  It was an interesting read but unfortunately, not that uncommon.  We run by quite a few of these "turn offs" regularly, when consulting on homes and condos for stagings.

Here are a few of the Top 10 ...

Odours

We all have heard that there is a strong connection between scents and our minds.  A sweet scent can remind you of a loved one, a yummy scent can make you feel warm and comfortable ... reminding you of Grandma in the kitchen.

The same is true for bad scents.  They can make us feel uncomfortable, unhappy and even sick!  If you have pets, or smoke or even a lot of perfume type air freshers, you can be risking the sale of your home.

Dirty Bathrooms and Kitchens

Leaving these rooms dirty, is an instant turn off.  "If these rooms are dirty or moldy, what is the rest of the house like?" people can think.

These areas need extra attention.  Paint, hire a cleaner even a handy man to update tiles and fix grout.  It will be worth it in the end.

Busy Wall Paper (and crazy paint colours)

We have talked about this one before!  Prints and colours that you love, can turn off many people coming to see your home.  Bite the bullet.  Get over the fact that every one doesn't share your sense of style and re paint in a neutral colour that is inviting.

People want to see themselves in your home, not see YOU in your home.

Thankfully, all of the Top 10 reasons potential buyers will walk away from your home (and a few others too) are fixable.  Here at Toronto Condo Staging and Design Inc. we have come across all of these issues and are fully able to help you overcome them!  Call us today and we can help you get a better look ... and smell, of your space!

Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook!  There you will find great info, links and quotes from our clients.  We are continually posting new pictures of our staging jobs on our Facebook page too.

Contact us at 416-829-9298 or info@torontocondostaging.com

Why Stage, Won't My Home Sell Anyway?

This is a common question we get quite a bit ... as I am sure Realtors, trying to explain the benefits of staging to their clients, do too!  Here are a few answers to the above question.

Overall, staged homes sell faster and for more money. So, your home may sell without staging, but why risk leaving money on the table?  Also, keep in mind that the cost of staging your home is less than what your first price reduction will be. Staging works!

Home Staging Stats:

•  A staged home sells 2-3 times faster than a non-staged home.*  

• A staged home sells for up to 6% more than a non-staged home.*

* Statistics taken from a survey of 2772 properties, done by Joy Valentine, Coldwell Banker Realty, Los Altos, California

``Recent statistics gathered by Stagedhomes.com shows that 94 percent of homes staged by an Accredited Staging Professional sold in 29 days or less, compared to an average of 145 days for homes that were not staged. What’s more, homes staged by Accredited Staging Professionals stay on the market 83 percent less than a home that has not been staged.``by Barb Schwarz

Darren Brand, CSP, ASP co-owner of Toronto Condo Staging and Design Inc. is our lead stager and designer who has been in the staging business for 10 years.  Contact us today for a consultation and over the phone estimate on your staging needs.

 

Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook!  There you will find great info, links and quotes from our clients.  We are continually posting new pictures of our staging jobs on our Facebook page too.

Contact us for a free estimate at 416-829-9298 or info@torontocondostaging.com

The Marilyn Monroe Buildings ...

The call came and we jumped at the chance!  It was a challenge and a thrill for Darren and team to design the staging of a suite at 60 Absolute, in Mississauga.  The buildings, stylishly called The Marilyn Monroe Buildings, are breath-taking from the outside.  We equally wanted to make this unit, breath-taking on the inside!

We feel we accomplished our goal by thinking outside the box; like using only the center piece of a large sectional as the sofa in the living room.  We also used punches of colour and texture to create a luxurious feel but keeping the space open and airy, by using glass and reflective pieces throughout.  A hint of teal on an ottoman, grabs your eye, as you walk into the unit!

 

Architectural wall pieces add depth and interest to a otherwise dull wall.  

 

Continuing the same colour throughout the space brings unity and flow.

We loved our time at Absolute.

Photos Taken by Rodrigo Fernandez from RF-Media/www.rf-media.com

Bigger and Brighter!

"Thank you so much for everything you and the Toronto Condo Staging and Design team did yesterday! When Marc and I came home last night, we could not even believe this was our place. Somehow, you made it look much bigger and brighter than it ever has before .... we might just buy it ourselves!"

Emily Waugh, Toronto

Tip of the Week - Don't Forget the Dining Table ...

Living in a downtown condo always comes with its challenges: Square footage being one of them. Since you may have limited space, you probably opted to eat at your bar counter and/or on your couch. Having an actual dining set never occurred to you.

Now you are looking to sell. What our experience is telling us is that it is essential to show a dedicated eating area , no matter how small the space. “But my place is so small, it won’t fit”, is often the response we get. Adding a simple 2 seater table with glass top, is the easiest way to add a seating area for very small spaces and it has a small footprint. For condos larger than 600 sq ft we recommend introducing a table to seat a minimum of 4 people. Sticking with glass and chrome tables, reflect light and visually take up less space than heavy wood tables.

Buyers want to know that they can have dining experiences with their friends and family and if you have 2 barstools at a counter, it limits their imagination. They will leave thinking, “We can’t fit a dining table in!” They may pass on your home even if they loved everything else about it!

So when you go to sell, make sure you look at your place from a buyer’s perspective. Show them how they can effectively use your space, especially when it comes to dining.

If you don’t want to go out and purchase a table for the purpose of selling, renting one is an economical option. DesignedtoSell.ca specializes in providing modern pieces, geared for the downtown lifestyle.


Contact us for a free estimate at 416-829-9298 or info@designedtosell.ca.

Welcome to DesignedtoSell.ca !

"Expert advice brings sizzle to Spartan suite before it’s put on the market — draws offer $10,000 above asking price.

(Realtor) Park called in a professional stager — someone who knows how to make a suite or house look its very best and appeal to a large group of buyers. The professional staging of rooms — placing furniture with regard to smart traffic flow, using soft colours, attractive window treatments, lighting and artwork — is commonly used to sell houses.

'Condo staging is also gaining popularity as a marketing tool. This is thanks to a growing market fueled by downsizing baby boomers and young buyers investing in condos as a first home', says Darren Brand, (owner of) designedtosell.ca ..." - Janice Bradbeer, TORONTO STAR

Darren and Lucie Brand are the owners and operators of one of Toronto’s leading home and condo staging companies, designedtosell.ca.

Specializing in the downtown condo market and also servicing the greater Toronto area, this dynamic husband and wife team are considered Canadian Staging Industry pioneers. Over the past 6 years, their team of home staging professionals have staged hundreds of properties and helped successfully sell millions of dollars in real estate.

If you are selling your condo or loft, or just looking to give your home a 'face lift', Darren and Lucie can help you accomplish your goals.

Designedtosell.ca, as one of the leading Toronto Condo Staging companies, offers a wide range of services to fit your budget. Contact us for a free estimate at 416-829-9298 or info@designedtosell.ca.