Got a stale Listing? Time to refresh with Spade and Archer

How to Give Your Stale Listing a Fresh New Look

Ah, the dreaded "Days on Market" stat. If your listing's been lingering like last week’s leftovers, it's time to shake things up. These poor properties are what we lovingly call “Stale Donuts.” They’ve lost their sweet appeal and now scream “yesterday’s news.” But don’t fret, sugar – we’ve got the recipe to turn that old donut into a fresh, hot seller. Here’s our 10-Step Plan to relisting a Stale Donut with a bit of sass and southern charm.

Step #1: Pull the Plug

Let’s face it, honey – if your listing’s been out there longer than a fruitcake at Christmas, it’s time for a reboot. Hanging on because you think the perfect buyer’s just around the corner? Bless your heart. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Time to kill the old listing and start fresh.

Step #2: Move Out, Sweetie

If your house has been on the market for ages, it's either priced too high or looks like Aunt Edna’s attic. Pack your bags and skedaddle. Whether you find a cozy Airbnb or camp out in the backyard, clearing out gives you a clean slate to work with. Trust me, you’re more of a roadblock than you realize.

Step #3: Call in the Big Guns – A Home Stager

A home stager is your new best friend. They’re like that brutally honest friend who tells you when your outfit looks awful. They'll say, “Darlin’, that bathroom has got to go,” and you might feel a twinge, but listen to them. They know what makes buyers swoon. Their advice is golden, so take notes and get ready to hustle.

Step #4: Get to Work

You’ve got your to-do list, now roll up those sleeves. Whether you’re hiring pros or DIY-ing it, there’s work to be done. Painting, landscaping, decluttering – get it all done. Coordinate with your team, set deadlines, and stay organized. This is your big chance to shine.

Step #5: Stage It to Sell

Once the basics are sorted, it’s time to dazzle. Bring in the home stager to sprinkle their magic. They’ll transform your space into something out of a magazine, and it’s worth every penny. Remember, this isn’t about your taste – it’s about making buyers fall in love at first sight.

Step #6: Snap Some New Pics

Your house is now a star, so give it a red-carpet moment. Hire a professional photographer to capture it in all its glory. New photos, videos, and 3D tours will make your listing pop. A single property website can control the narrative and make your house the belle of the ball.

Step #7: Fresh Listing, Who Dis?

Create a new MLS number and wave goodbye to the old listing. Even past viewers will think it’s a brand new property. Fresh start, fresh vibes.

Step #8: Price Adjustment – Up or Down

It’s usually one of two things: price or presentation. If dropping the price feels like pulling teeth, consider bumping it up a notch instead. It might just hit a new search bracket and attract fresh eyes. A little tweak can make a big difference.

Step #9: Create a Buzz

Time to throw a virtual housewarming! Use social media and technology to generate excitement. Turn that stale donut into a trending topic. The faster you change the narrative, the quicker you'll sell.

Step #10: Close the Deal

Finally, it’s showtime. Organize those leads, schedule private showings, and watch the offers roll in. You got this!

Need Help with Your Stale Donut?

Ready to bring in the pros? Here’s how Spade and Archer can help turn your listing from drab to fab:

1. Get Instant Pricing – Know what you’re in for.

2. Schedule a Site Visit – Let us assess your property.

3. Book Your Installation – We’ll handle the setup.

4. Sell and Destage – Close the deal and clear out.

Refreshing a stale listing might seem daunting, but with our seamless process at Spade and Archer, it’s a piece of cake. Got a Stale Donut? Start with a quote, and let's get that home sold together!

How to Stage Your House Without Scaring Off Buyers

When it comes to prepping your property for the market, it's crucial to remember that your beloved home is now a product, ready to woo potential buyers. Congratulations, you're now a small business owner! Your mission? Design your product to attract the biggest crowd possible.

We often encounter sellers with heartfelt requests like, “I adore modern furniture and despise the color orange, so please stage the house my way.”

We smile, nod, and then gently remind them, “Of all the potential buyers, you, dear seller, are not one of them.” As home stagers in Portland, Oregon, or Seattle, Washington, our job is to design not for the seller, but for the buyer. We take into account the home’s location, size, and style to attract the largest demographic possible. If we cater to someone who no longer wants to live there, we’ll completely miss the mark.

Humans have two thinking processes: logical and emotional. When house hunting online, we use our logical brains: “It must have 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a backyard, be within my budget, and in a desirable location.” Once we spot a promising house, we head over to see it. That’s when the logical brain takes a back seat, and the emotional brain takes the wheel.

The emotional brain is quick to make decisions—it’s the part that yells, “Lion, run!” Meanwhile, the logical brain, slower but wiser, reassures, “Relax, it’s just a stuffed lion.” Both are useful, but understanding their roles helps us grasp how a buyer views a house.

Our logical brain can juggle up to five bits of information at a time (hence phone numbers being in easy-to-remember chunks). The emotional brain, however, focuses on one thing at a time. When buyers view your property, you want them imagining themselves living there. Anything that diverts their emotional attention—a religious symbol, a political poster, or even a quirky vice—distracts from this goal.

A client once shared a story about a giant bear skin rug in the primary bedroom of a house. Potential buyers were so fixated on the rug that they barely noticed the house itself. When I asked what she thought of the house, she admitted, “I don’t recall, none of us were paying attention at the time.” They didn't buy the house—or the rug.

Religious items, be it a crucifix, a Buddha, or a mezuzah, can pull emotional focus, regardless of the buyer's beliefs.

Political items, from sports banners to MAGA hats, or a book by Hillary Clinton, create an us-versus-them vibe. People have even gotten angry when asked to put these items away for showings, proving just how emotionally charged they are.

Emotional vices are easier to spot: drugs, sex, alcohol, nudity, tobacco, and guns should never be on display. Their presence can be distracting, but their absence never will be.

We also steer clear of staging with fur. In the Pacific Northwest, we have many vegans, vegetarians, and animal rights activists. Fur items, especially taxidermy, can be very evocative. No one ever says, “No faux fur or cow skin rug? I hate this place!” But they might see a taxidermied animal and think, “This place just isn’t for me.”

As we enter a transitioning market, selling houses will be tougher. Choosing the right team to help prepare your property can make all the difference. Choose wisely, and happy staging!

Get your instant home staging price now by clicking here.

The Fun and Fabulous Four-Step Process

Working with Spade and Archer Design Agency: The Fun and Fabulous Four-Step Process

We’re all about making your experience with Spade and Archer Design Agency smoother than a freshly fluffed pillow. We were the first to introduce Guaranteed (Pay-At-Close) staging, Instant Scheduling, and the latest and greatest, Instant Pricing. We’re always dreaming up new ways to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. Working with us might feel like a breath of fresh air compared to your previous stagers. Here’s a cheeky little guide to what our process looks like, in four easy and entertaining steps…

STEP 1: GET YOUR INSTANT PRICING
Every grand adventure starts with a little planning, and ours begins with an instant quote from our website. In just a few minutes, you'll know exactly what your project will cost and which pricing plan best suits your needs. We recommend running a few quotes—because who doesn’t love comparing options?

STEP 2: BOOK YOUR FREE SITE VISIT
Once you’ve got your instant price, the next move is to book your site visit. You can tackle this step and the next one—Step 3: Book Your Installation—at the same time and in less time than it takes to binge-watch a single episode of your favorite show. Our team will pop by your property, snap some pics, whip up floor plans, and compile a to-do list to make your house sell faster than hotcakes at a pancake breakfast.

STEP 3: BOOK YOUR INSTALLATION
This is where you get to use that fabulous discount code! Just give us your contract details, and we’ll handle the rest. We’ll whip up your contract and invoice, then email them straight to your inbox. You can sign and pay all at once, while simultaneously booking your site visit—look at you multitasking like a pro!

STEP 4: BOOK YOUR DESTAGE
Once your project is a wrap, booking your de-stage is a piece of cake. Just give us a 10-day heads-up before you want your staging removed, and we’ll swoop in to take everything away. Easy peasy!

And there you have it, folks! Four simple, speedy steps to working with Spade and Archer Design Agency. We make staging your home as fun as a game of hopscotch. Happy staging!

Unlock the Secret to Stress-Free Home Staging Quotes: Spade and Archer's Instant Pricing Magic!

Unlock the Secret to Stress-Free Home Staging Quotes:

Spade and Archer's Instant Pricing Magic!

Hey there, fellow homeowners, agents and real estate aficionados! Are you ready to dive into the wild world of home staging, but the mere thought of navigating through complicated pricing structures makes you break out in a cold sweat? Fear not, because Spade and Archer is here to sprinkle some magic dust on your staging woes with our Instant Home Staging Price – and yes, it's as easy as waving a wand (or clicking a button)!

Picture this: you're sitting on your couch, sipping your favorite beverage, and pondering the idea of staging your home to perfection. But then, the dread sets in. How much is this going to cost? Will I need to take out a second mortgage to afford it? Cue the dramatic music! Well, fear not, dear friends, because Spade and Archer has cracked the code to making pricing easier than reciting the alphabet backward after one too many margaritas.

With our Instant Home Staging Price, you can kiss those pricing nightmares goodbye faster than you can say "sold!" Simply hop onto our website, answer a few quick questions about your space, and voila – you'll have an exact price in less time than it takes to microwave a bag of popcorn. That's right, no more waiting around for days on end or playing phone tag with mysterious pricing gurus. We believe in transparency and efficiency, so you can get back to binge-watching your favorite Netflix series without skipping a beat.

But wait, there's more! Our Instant Home Staging Prices aren't just fast – if you choose the Guaranteed Home Staging Options, they're also backed by our legendary Guaranteed Home Staging promise. That's right, folks, we're so confident in our staging prowess that we're willing to put our money where our mouth is. If your home sells, you pay at closing. If it doesn't, you pay absolutely nada. It's like staging roulette, but without the risk of losing your shirt!

So whether you're in the rainy wonderland of Seattle or the hipster haven of Portland, Spade and Archer is your go-to guru for all things home staging. Say goodbye to pricing headaches and hello to staging success with just a few clicks of a button. It's time to stage like a boss and sell with confidence – because with Spade and Archer, the only surprises you'll encounter are the ones waiting for you in your new dream home!

Don't Turn Your Home into a Comedy of Errors: Avoid These 5 Common Home Staging Mistake

Don't Turn Your Home into a Comedy of Errors:

Avoid These 5 Common Home Staging Mistake

Hey there, savvy homeowners and real estate enthusiasts! Are you ready to transform your space from drab to fab and make potential buyers swoon at first sight? Well, buckle up because we're about to spill the beans on some all-too-common home staging blunders – and how to sidestep them like a pro.

Mistake #1: Ignoring the Power of Decluttering

Picture this: potential buyers walk into your home, only to be greeted by a sea of clutter that rivals the chaos of a toddler's playroom. Cue the horror music! Avoid this scene by channeling your inner Marie Kondo and decluttering like there's no tomorrow. Remember, less is more, and buyers want to envision themselves in a space, not dodge your collection of creepy victorian dolls.

Mistake #2: Playing Hide-and-Seek with Natural Light

Let there be light! Don't make the rookie mistake of obscuring those beautiful windows with heavy drapes, blinds or bulky furniture. Natural light is like the secret sauce of home staging – it brightens up the space, makes it feel larger, and puts a twinkle in buyers' eyes. So, take down those curtains and hardware and let the sunshine in!

Mistake #3: Getting Too Personal with Decor

We get it – your family is beautiful and they are the stuff of legends. But when it comes to staging your home, it's time to bid farewell to personal knick-knacks and family portraits. Buyers want to envision their own lives in the space, not feel like they're crashing your family reunion. Opt for neutral decor that appeals to a broad audience and let your home's features shine.

Mistake #4: Neglecting the Power of Curb Appeal

First impressions are everything, folks! Don't let your home's exterior be the Debbie Downer of the real estate world. Spruce up your curb appeal with fresh landscaping, a pop of color on the front door, and some inviting outdoor seating. Be sure to avoid the bark dust that is mixed with manure as it smells like… well… manure. Trust us, buyers will be lining up to see what's behind that charming facade.

Mistake #5: Forgetting the Finishing Touches

Details matter, darling! Don't skimp on those final flourishes that take your staging from average to unforgettable. Think fresh flowers, fluffy towels in the bathroom, and a cozy throw draped over the sofa. These little touches add warmth and personality to your space, making buyers feel right at home.

So there you have it, folks – five common home staging mistakes, served up with a side of humor and a dollop of wisdom from Spade and Archer. With our instant online pricing and Guaranteed Home Staging, there's no excuse not to stage like a pro and sell with confidence. Happy staging, and may the offers be ever in your favor!