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
6 Dorothy Place
Oakland
This lovely oasis, tucked away in the Berkeley Hills offered privacy and serenity, but had been overlooked when it was originally brought to the market without the benefit of fresh paint and staging with a well-intentioned, out-of-area Realtor. With only one lackluster offer presented, our Sellers decided to reboot with the realization that some changes were in order, and that working with a local team would hopefully garner a stronger result. Did we roll up our sleeves, bring in our teams of painters, handymen, cleaners, stagers and gardeners to give this stunning Contemporary the attention it deserves? Did we visit this house on a daily basis, change out the flowers, sweep the front porch and vacuum the new carpets? Yes, yes and yes, which was absolutely necessary given the overwhelming response this house received, with more than 90 showings in two weeks: that's a tremendous amount of foot traffic and a lot of wear and tear. We pride ourselves on our care and attention to detail, while we are preparing the house . . . and during the entire marketing period: plants are watered, floors are swept, yards are kept neat, mail is collected and garbage cans are put away. Our listings are NEVER neglected, and consequently, they frequently benefit from highly competitive offers.
before & after
73 Oakmont Avenue
Piedmont
Quaint and lovely, this sweet cottage in Piedmont was almost lost among larger homes on its block. Sandwiched among a sea of beige and gray neighbors, this formerly cream house needed to be noticed. Saturated blue body paint, crisp white trim and a colorful coral front door took this home from wallflower status to starring role. Light bright paint on the inside, updated light fixtures and thoughtful staging throughout created the picture-perfect storybook fantasy, selling in less than 28 hours with an aggressive preemptive offer. Do all of our listings have such a happy ending? Not necessarily, but we shoot for this goal each time because our aim is to reach high and see every listing reach its full potential.
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
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
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1855 Trestle Glen Road
Piedmont
Truth be told, every house is "lived in." People have real lives, real requirements and real "stuff!" Do most houses suffer from typical wear and tear? Yes they do, which is why its often necessary to suggest a fresh coat of paint, repair work, replacing stained carpet, updating lighting, replanting gardens and you guessed it. . . fabulous staging!
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.
1063 60th Street
Oakland
fences & neighbors
This hip and chic home in the NOBE, offered central location, modern amenities and urban living. However, the sweet neighbors were in a holding pattern about their dilapidated garage. They had plans to eventually address what clearly needed addressing, but we needed a solution pronto! These steel-cut screens were discovered on Etsy, arrived within a week and were installed by our talented handyman who built the frame to securely anchor the screens to the fence. The courtyard was completely transformed with a little investment, effort and ingenuity, and the neighbors loved it too!
