HOME TRANSFORMATIONS
43 Farragut Avenue
Piedmont
This sophisticated home with intimate courtyards, mostly all-level living and fabulous indoor-outdoor flow was accurately described as a "unicorn." Few houses exist in Piedmont with this kind of grand scale, open floor plan, three en-suite bedrooms and stunning kitchen/family room space. Our Sellers understood the value of updating their lovely home and investing in the right choices: fresh white paint, warm wool carpet, modern light fixtures, refinished natural wood floors, Calcutta quartz countertops, and jaw-dropping staging. Did such a significant home require a drastic makeover? Definitely. Loved and lived in, 43 Farragut needed a face lift, and the results were nothing short of "Wowza!"
before & after
33 Cortez Court
Montclair
This much-loved Montclair retreat presented with a fair amount of deferred maintenance and was hidden by overgrown foliage and a dilapidated carport. What started out as a simple update evolved into a major overhaul which included bathroom and kitchen updates, new front doors, construction of new fencing, fresh paint throughout, new lighting, new deck, new carpet, and extensive landscaping involving sprinkler repair, planting new beds, and the removal of loads of vines, a dead tree and built-up debris. Fantastic staging elevated the home to new heights, providing the vision for what this house could be for new homeowners. Thankfully, everything fell into place and an offer was presented less than one week into marketing!
after
before
2929 Hillegass
Berkeley
before & after
220 Mountain Avenue
Piedmont
before & after
Why Staging is Necessary
Bringing a home to market can often require a fair amount of capital: hauling, painting, gardening, repairing, lighting, refinishing floors, installing carpeting, cleaning and, yes . . . staging! It isn't at all unusual to have a candid conversation around the value of staging and why I believe it is the single most important investment necessary to garner the best result. Do my Sellers find this concept difficult? Practically always. My carefully cultivated team and I are creating a narrative for the house that frankly almost entirely negates the lives that have lived there before. While your memories remain intact, our goal is to help the Buyers envision themselves in the house under the very best conditions. Staged homes are about the fantasy; the possibilities and the Insta-worthy photos that populate on the internet. BTW, a watered front lawn makes a huge difference!
39 Wildwood Avenue
Piedmont
before & after
Curb Appeal
675 Fairmount Avenue
Oakland
This income-producing duplex required a face-lift which included fresh exterior paint, front yard plantings, a bright front door, and a little stencil magic! It can be a challenge selling an occupied listing with limited opportunities to show, but an eye-catching photograph and inviting curb appeal can provide the required impetus.
