Still Have a Home For Sale in League City, Friendswood or Clear Lake TX ?

If you have a home that has been on the market in League City, Friendswood, or the Clear Lake area for a while or are about to list your home for sale. Instead of reducing the price, or starting out with a lower list price than you wanted to, think about the option of home staging.


Sure, you can probably clear the clutter, but staging goes further than that, alot further. We start with a home staging consultation, which is a thorough assessment of your house with a buyer's eye. After all the changes have been made and necessary repairs has been implemented, furniture and accessories will be brought in or your existing ones will be used and rearranged to enhance your homes features.

How much are you spending on mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance, taxes & HOA's? Not to mention the stress of owning two homes in a down market.

Give us a call today to find out what your options are. You may be surprised how home staging can help you be on your way to selling your home...no more payments and no more stress!

Serious About Selling Your House? Read what the 2008 NAR Survey Says

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Sellers Survey for 2008 showed that:

• Buyers used a variety of resources in searching for a home: 87 percent used the Internet.
• Fewer buyers rely on a home book or magazine, home builders, television, billboards and relocation companies. Buyers most commonly start their search process online.
• When asked where they first learned about the home they purchased 32 percent said the Internet; 15 percent from yard signs; 7 percent from a friend, neighbor or relative; 7 percent home builders; 3 percent a print or newspaper ad; 2 percent directly from the seller; and 1 percent a home book or magazine.
• Local metropolitan multiple listing service Web sites were the most popular Internet resource, used by 60 percent of buyers.
• Buyers searched a median of 10 weeks and viewed 10 homes.

What do these statistics say? They say that the majority of home buyers, (87%) are starting their search on the internet, as their main source for buying a home. A picture is worth a thousand words, and if your photo's don't reflect a warm and inviting, picture perfect home on the internet, buyers won't even make it to your front door.

It also means there is a short timeframe they are looking and a small amount of homes that they are viewing. Why? Because they have already looked on the internet and ruled out the homes they weren't interested in. This means you have to be the most competitive and aggressive with how your home looks. If home buyers are only looking at a total of 10, odds are if your house is not picture perfect, it won't even get the chance of a walk-through from a buyer.

Home sellers can't afford not to be ready for the selling season; you have to be show ready when buyers are out looking. When you miss that short period of time, your house becomes a stale listing, and real estate agents don't show it as much, because it has lost its appeal, they will show the newer fresher listings. It also shouldn't stay on the market a long period of time, this tells the buyer, that a price-reduction is probably imminent.

Don't think that de-cluttering, cleaning, picking up all of the toys, and straightening up will do the trick either. That is not home staging, and don't be mislead that it is. That is getting your house clean, and ready to be staged. Home Buyers are looking for their perfect dream home, they want to imagine what it would be like to live there.

If it's vacant, your chances are even worse, buyers want to see a homey place; they want to see livability, functionality, and use of space. Not poorly rearranged mis-matched furniture, that is outdated and thread bear.

This is probably your biggest investment; spend a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to not only get your home sold, but to get it sold fast. Make your home the stellar stand-out in the area that outshines all of the others you are competing with.

We highly recommend a home staging consultation for any home, no matter of age, size or condition. It will be the least amount of money for your biggest investment to merchandise your property, which is unfortunately mandatory in this economy being a buyer's market. Home buyers have a mass amount of homes to choose from.

Make yours stand out!




Cindy Bryant - Owner of Redesign Etc. a Home Staging & Interior Redesign Service.Serving Houston's Bay & Gulf Coast.Featured on ABC Channel KTRK Channel 13 Houston in two segments called "Strech Your Dollar". Segment one on Redesigning A Home. Segment two on Tips for Redesigning Your Own Home.Cindy has also been featured in the Houston Chronicle, and Chron.com in "Money Matters". Appearances on Am Talk Radio "Keeping You In The Loop".Cindy is the Regional Vice President for RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) for TX, NM, AK, OK, LA.Member of ASHSR (American Society of Home Stagers & Redesigners).Cindy is Houston's "Ask the Expert" for StagersList.com.

Link: http://www.blogger.com/www.redesignetc.com

Vacant Home Staging...Do You Really Have What It Takes?

I added on to a previous post that I feel is even more important with vacant homes sitting everywhere, and hobby stagers trying to get into the business.
With vacant homes on the rise in the real estate market more people are turning to Home Staging to give their home that competitive edge. What most people don't realize is the time and labor involved in staging a vacant home. Here is an example of what can go into the process from start to finish.
After the necessary recommendations and improvements from the Home Staging Consultation Report has been implemented the acutal Home Staging process begins.

The following usually takes place:

Visiting the property to take a look at each room, the space, feel, and style of home.
Visually figuring out what furniture and accessories will best fit the spaces to be done, also known as space planning.
Taking photos of each room.
Figuring out the cost of furniture and accessories for the house.
Ordering furniture, paperwork, contracts, and phone calls.
Delivery of furniture from Furniture Company, if you use one.
Going to warehouse to start picking out and packing accessories.
Getting a truck, or trailer to carry all of the items you'll need.
Loading all items, accessories and furniture into truck or vehicle of choice. (Hoping you don't need anything else and have to make several trips)
Driving to location.
Unloading items from truck, unpacking, and placement of items and furniture, known as hands-on staging.
Take after photos.
Taking all excess that's not used, including totes or boxes and load back into truck.
Drive back to warehouse to unload.
Drive home and Crash!
Wake up the next day sore from head to toe, with scrapes, bruises and cuts, (forget the nails).
House Sells...Then What?
Call furniture company to pick-up furniture.
Drive to get truck that you'll be using to bring items back.
Drive to warehouse to get totes and boxes to put items from home back into them.
Drive to house that has now sold.
Start packing, bubble wrapping, and placing all items in totes.
Load furniture and accessories into truck.
Drive back to warehouse.
Unload, Unpack, and put everything back into warehouse.
Take truck back.
Drive home and crash again!
The next day start all over!
This is just an example of what usually happens, every Home Stager does it a little differently.
The average time from start to finish can average between 20-25 hours.
So when someone asks what the big difference in staging a vacant house versus a home with furniture already in it put your pencil to the paper and figure out how much time you spend from start to finish.
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Feel free to add to this list!
Here were some add-ons from fellow stagers.
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For those in the unglamorous world of vacant home staging with their own inventory add:
Shopping for more furniture because all of yours is out - or you just don't have the exact thing for the space.
Shopping for just the right rug, pillows, accessories to compliment the paint color because you just don't have the right thing in your warehouse. (For us perfectionists)
Wrapping/padding all of your furniture so it does not get damaged in transit and stays looking new and fresh. (Repeat process when unstaging)
Unwrapping/unpadding all your furniture before set up.
Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging)
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Staffing and sceduling of assistants, instalations such as draperies and window treatments (in some properties), STEAMING & IRONING of linens the night before or day of staging, cost of food, gas & supplies, Project Managment of upgrades such as flooring, painting, lighting, etc, hmmm~ I'm sure I'll think of more....
Connie Tebyani, Platinum Home Staging Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties (Platinum Home Staging, Inc.)
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I know the shopping and the trips back and forth can get crazy. The one thing thats no one thinks of is hauling all the stuff that a normal occupied house would have. Like an ironing board, an iron or steamer, a vacumn cleaner, a broom and dustpan, rags, just the stupid little stuff you need for spills and dusty tables, and fuzzy rugs.
Becky Raike & Nicole Forte -Staging Sells Your Home (Staging Sells Your Home )
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Don't forget the extension cords, tape of ALL kinds, velcro, glue, stapler...and I love ZOTS...there is awas something you have to tweak.
Renee Pratta ~ Renewed Rooms ~ SC (Renewed Rooms)
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You can add making sure any new items purchased for the job are included in your inventory list. Staging - especially vacant staging - is not glamorous! It is a labor of love.
Tracy Moses~Redefining LUXE~Staging ~ Redesign (Redefining LUXE)
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What it REALLY takes to stage a vacant home, and what MUST be added to the list is.......many doses of Ibuprofen!
$8.00 for a bottle of 750 tablets at Costco........about a 6-month supply for me!! The best investment in my business I can possibly make:)
Marianne Sweet, Home Sweet Home Staging, LLC Rochester Hills, MI (Home Sweet Home Staging)
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So the next time you have someone ask you how to justify the cost of vacant staging give them this list.

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Cindy Bryant is the owner of Redesign Etc. Home Staging & Redesign Specialist in Houston, Staging Your House To Sell By Professional Home Stagers! Our goal is to get your home sold for top dollar in the most cost effective way!
Contact Cindy today for a Home Staging Consultation. Please visit our website for more information.

Areas Served: Houston, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Bellaire, Piney Point, Mid-Town, The Heights, Montrose, Texas Medical Center, The East End, West Loop/Galleria/Memorial, Downtown, Museum District, West University, Spring Branch, Royal Oaks-Lakeside, League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Kemah, Seabrook, Pearland, Sugar Land, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, The Woodlands, Kingwood. And all areas down to Galveston Island.

We also have a location for the Houston Bay Area- League City Home Staging.

Kids Wish Network-Houston Girl Gets Her Dream

Gabby Gets Her “Dream” Bedroom

by Jill Atchison-Kids Wish Network, February 22, 2008

I recently completed a wish for a very special young lady named Gabby from Houston, TX. Gabby suffers from Sickle Cell Disease. When I spoke to Gabby in the fall she told me her only wish was for a Betty Boop bedroom makeover! I began working on getting furniture and Betty Boop items. There were many Betty Boop Vendors who contributed a vast array of Betty items including bedding, rugs, lamps, bathroom items - you name it, we got it! Getting her just the right furniture however, took some time.
Last month I received a call from Christine of Four Hands Furniture out of Austin, TX. She agreed to donate a queen sized four poster bed, two end tables and lamps. I then contacted Bi-Rite Furniture out of Houston, TX and Turbo, the owner agreed to donate a dresser and mirror. Reyes Ortiz the owner of Ultimate Comfort also donated a queen pillow top mattress and box spring. So finally we had the furniture!!
I also enlisted the help of Cindy Bryant the owner of Redesign Etc., Inc. and Bennett Taylor of Elements by Taylor to put everything together. Cindy accepted delivery of all the “Boop Stuff”. Bennett not only painted a 4′ X 4′ Betty “Mural” but ran all around town picking up furniture.
Last Tuesday I sent Randall from Randall’s limo’s to pick up Gabby and her mom and get them out of the house while Cindy and Bennett went to work. Randall took Gabby to Westpark Wal-Mart where the asst. manager Terry Lazar had a Flat Screen TV waiting for her. After they picked up the TV they went to Olive Garden for lunch.
Meanwhile back at home, Four Hands had the furniture delivered and Bennett brought her mural and the furniture she collected, while Cindy worked fervently to get everything set up for the “Grand Unveiling”. When Gabby got home she was very surprised and very happy with her new bedroom. Gabby’s mom Janet said “she had the best night’s sleep she’s had in a long time”. Gabby is excited to have her friends come over to check out her new room.
Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.


If you'd like to Donate to Kidswish Network and help the Kidswish Children, click here. You can also subscribe to our blog feed to keep up to date with our wish kids.
If you have or know a child that fits our criteria, call 888-918-9004 to talk to one of our wish counselors.

"Redesign Etc, was honored and humbled when asked to design the room for Gabby, she is a "little sweetie pie". This experience is the best one I've had so far, it really was so much fun and to see everything come together, and people give of their time, goods and services, was such an overwhelming feeling for me. Gabby is a special and brave young lady, one that I will never forget."

Cindy Bryant-Owner Redesign Etc.

Return On Home Staging Investments

2007 Home Gain Survey Based On Over 2,000 Real Estate Agents Nationwide:

Improvement-Professionally Staging A Home
Typical Cost -$403-$584
Increase In Sales Price -$1,938-2,431
Avg. Return - 343%
Agents Who Recommend -91%

http://www.redesignetc.com

To see completed survey on other home improvements click link below

http://www.homegain.com/media-center/statistics-market-analysis

Home Staging Accentuates Your Homes Features!

After Home Staging

This Home Sold In 30 Days!

Using what the home seller had, we created a warm, cozy inviting room that a home buyer could imagine living here. Focus was taken off of the mismanaged space and on the features of the house. That is what home staging does!

Visit www.redesignetc.com Houston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist Staging Your Home To Sell!

Kid Clutter To Super Simplistic

Kids had taken over the Game Room and had made it their craft room. After taking the table, clutter and other pieces out, it was turned into a very simplistic, minimalist room. I was able to use the benches as a much needed coffee table. Redesigned using the homeowners furniture.

This property was staged and sold under 30 days.

Visit http://www.redesignetc.com/ Houston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist staging your home to sell.

From Frat House To Defined Spaces

This was a family/formal dining room that was being used for a family room/pool hall. Moving out the pool table and furniture the couple had since college and bringing in rental furniture and accessories gave this room a more appealing look. An added value of a dining room, on a very tight budget.

Visit http://www.redesignetc.com/ Houston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist staging your house to sell.

Subtle Changes Make A Room Usable

Formal Living made into a Study. Small changes using the homeowners furniture and one rental chair, make a much more usable room. This room served no purpose before, now buyers could visualize a functional room.

House was staged and sold under 30 days.

Visit http://www.redesignetc.com/ Houston's Home Staging & Redesign Specialist staging houses to sell.

Houston's Hot New Real Estate Marketing Tool

Home Staging in Houston is a hot new marketing tool that gives you that edge in a competitive real estate market. Sell your home faster and get Top Dollar by using our Home Staging Services. We create the "WOW" factor for that "Model Home Look". Buyers are savvy and first impressions are everything. We merchandise your home to stand out from the competition, staging your house to "sell". We can use your existing furnishings and accessories, or we offer an accessory and furniture rental program to artfully achieve a designer look. We use furniture and accessories that complement any size, type or look of home.

How Home Staging Can Help You

Whether you're selling or buying a home, newlyweds, empty nester's, combining households, or just tired of the "same old look," Redesign Etc. can help. Specializing in Vacant and Occupied Real Estate Home Staging, Interior Redesign for Living, and Color & Paint Consultations, just to name a few. We strive to enhance the appearance and curb appeal of homes for owners, and prospective buyers, while working within the clients budget. The design team will use tricks of the trade to achieve the "WOW" factor that model homes have! These services, as seen on HGTV shows like Freestyle, and Designed to Sell are an effective and inexpensive way to create a new look. Using your existing furnishings, or with a little help from our furniture and accessory rental program, your home can be transformed in days not months. Housing market experts tell us that staged homes sell an average of 50% faster and for 6-10% more. Home stagers provide a high value, low cost service designed to sell your home quickly and for the highest value. Our goal is to assist you with any decorating dilemmas you may have, inside or out.

The 3 Biggest Problems People Have With Their Own Homes:
1) The Placement of Furniture
2) The Scale of Furniture
3) The Combination of Colors

How Much Does Home Staging Cost?

The most frequently asked question is "How much does home staging cost"? That is the biggest misconception of staging. It is extremely affordable! Of course the price depends largely on the size and scope of the project. However, the cost is often a few hundred dollars for a full staging package compared to $1000's. So, before you list your home, or take that first price reduction, of several thousand dollars, give us a try. You will be amazed at the results. Redesign Etc. offers a Home Staging Consultation which includes paint/color and curb appeal.We will meet with you to understand your space inside and out. With your permission, I will take digital photos and prepare a written Consultation Property Assessment Report. This Report details all aspects of interior and exterior needs that you can do in order to get top dollar for the property. It will focus on what to pack up in each space, and offer recommendations such as paint, repairs, and de-cluttering. We will also provide a flat-rate Staging Bid Proposal, should you decide to have your property staged. We provide a full range of home staging services, and can do as little or as much you want within your budget. Our home stagers help showcase your homes hidden potential and get your house in "show ready" condition and we explain how to keep it that way. The team of Redesign Etc. can create a home that buyers can visualize themselves living in, or create a home you'll love living in!

House Not Selling~We Have The Solution!

At Redesign Etc, we know what it takes to get a house sold. With many years of marketing, merchandising, real estate investing and interior decorating experience we take your house from "For Sale" to "Sold". Redesign Etc., is a full-service home staging company, offering a complete line of furniture, accessories and hands-on staging to merchandise a "vacant or occupied home" giving it that "model home look" that appeals to the widest variety of people. We offer the most up-to-date furniture and accessories available for the most current look. In a 2006 National Association Of Realtors article, it stated that 81% of buyers use the internet to search for a home, and that number is growing daily. Many home buyers will pass on a vacant property because it's photos portray a cold, empty feeling house that lacks warmth and curb appeal. A home that has been staged gives the buyer a sense of how the space can be defined and utilized. So before taking a price reduction of several thousand dollars, and paying recurring fees on your "vacant home" let us give you our customized personal hands-on plan! Redesign Etc., also works within all budgets, and size of homes.

Home Staging Consultations Can Net You $1000's

Our Home Staging Consultations are the most in-depth comprehensive in the business. An implemented Consultation can net you $1000's.
With a Home Staging Consultation, I will walk through your home, take pictures, and give you verbal recommendations and ideas on how to prepare your home for sale. Also included will be a Property Assessment Report with customized Staging Tips, Organization Tips, Showing Instructions, Paint Color, and Curb Appeal along with a Home Staging Estimate. This part of the Consultation usually takes 2-3 hours depending on the size and condition of the house. After the initial home walk-through is completed, Redesign Etc. will prepare a customized written property assessment report which includes specific room-by-room instructions for preparing your home for sale.
Should you decide after reviewing the Assessment report you would like help implementing the suggestions, I will be happy to recommend companies that provide the services you may need. Many homeowners can save money by doing most of the work themselves.

After this process is finished, the homeowner can have Redesign Etc. execute hands-on staging for the last step in the Home Staging process. If you’ve completed all the work on the report, it generally takes a few days depending on the size and scope of house to complete the final staging. Redesign Etc. is a Full Service Home Staging & Interior Redesign Company serving the Greater Houston and Galveston Area.

Houston Real Estate -Buyers Market

It's a buyer's market just about everywhere in the USA right now. New homes are edging out the older ones, and empty homes are sitting even longer on the market because only 10% of buyer's can visualize their furnishings in a vacant house. Buyer's are overwhelmed at the abundance of choices they have when buying a home, they are like kids in a candy store, they can't make up their minds, there are so many available. They also have the luxury of making low ball offers. That is why home sellers have to do something to set themselves apart from the fierce competition. Their are two solutions to helping with this problem. The first is pricing your house competitively. The second is having your home professionally staged. It will show better, and make a better impression on the MLS listing photos, after it's been staged. A whopping 87% of people start their search on the Internet. If your photos don't impress, your home won't get shown. Don't waste time, and money sitting on your home, call for a Home Consultation today to see how home staging can reduce your selling time maximizing your bottom line.

Study Shows Vacant Houses Are Slower To Sell

In a recent study and article by redfin.com the #6 reason to a slow sale of a house was to show it vacant. The study suggests keeping your homeowners there. It showed 9.5% of homes that were vacant would go through a price reduction, based on what a buyers thinking process was when buying a home. When they see it empty, they automatically assume the homeowner needs to get out fast, thus bidding low.

Marketing your Home to Sell- 7 Tactics By Redfin.com
http://www.redfin.com/scientist

To avoid this underbidding, home staging and the use of furniture can turn your lonely house into a "Buy Me" house.

What Is Full Service Staging?

Full Service Staging

For the Homeowner that doesn't want to mess around and have it done for them, Full Service Staging is the answer!
Full Service Staging is a two-step process beginning with a visit to your home to evaluate the work that is needed, take photos and provide a price quote for the project. Once hired, we will stage your home with a buyer’s eye in mind, enhancing the positive attributes of the property, creating that "wow" factor for a memorable first impression.
We prefer to save homeowners money and work with existing furniture and accessories as most homes have more than enough furnishings and accessories to be used during the staging process. However, on occasion we will suggest bringing in new accessories or furnishings to give the home a warmer, more inviting feel. We have an inventory of accessories and furnishings to pull from for a reasonable rental fee. Alternatively, I can provide a list of recommended décor items I feel need to be purchased to finalize the look. This decor will not only enhance the property you are trying to sell, but will also look great in your new home! If you don't have the time or desire to shop for these items, we will be happy to purchase them for you.
We also offer vacant home staging, where we will bring in furniture and accessories for a fee to give your empty house that "model home" look.
For more information call 281-748-2170 or email cindy@redesignetc.com or visit our website at http://www.redesignetc.com/

What Does A Staging Consultation Involve?

Staging Consultation (Property Assessment Report)

For the Do-it-Yourself Homeowner who would like to take on the responsibilities, time and efforts of staging their home, but don't have the eye or expertise to know where to start, a Staging Consultation is an excellent option.
With a Consultation, I will preview your home, take pictures, and give you on the spot suggestions to preparing your home for sale. You will also be provided with General Staging Tips, Organization Tips and Showing Instructions. This part of the Consultation usually takes 2-3 hours depending on the size and condition of the house. After the initial home review is completed, I will prepare a customized written report which includes specific room-by-room instructions for preparing your home for sale. This report will be delivered to you within 48 hours of the Initial Home Review.
Should you decide after reviewing the consultation report and all the information provided that you would like help implementing the suggestions on the report, I will be happy to recommend companies that provide the services you may need. Many homeowners prefer to save money and do most of the work themselves, then hire me to provide final staging services. If you’ve completed all the work on the report, it generally takes a day or two depending on the size and scope of house to complete the final staging.

Call or email Cindy at 281-748-2170 or cindy @redesignetc.com or visit our website at http://www.redesignetc.com/

Have A Vacant Home For Sale In Houston? We Have The Solution!

At Redesign Etc, we know what it takes to get a house sold. With many years of marketing, merchandising, real estate investing and interior decorating experience we take your house from "for sale" to "sold". Redesign Etc., is a true full-service home staging company, offering a complete line of furniture, accessories and hands-on staging to merchandise a "vacant home" giving it that "model home look" that appeals to the widest variety of people. We offer the most up-to-date furniture and accessories available for the most current look. In a 2006 National Association Of Realtors article, it stated that 81% of buyers use the internet to search for a home, and that number is growing daily. Many home buyers will pass on a vacant property because it's photos portray a cold, empty feeling house that lacks warmth and curb appeal. A home that has been staged gives the buyer a sense of how the space can be defined and utilized. So before taking a price reduction of several thousand dollars, and paying recurring fees on your "vacant home" let us give you our customized personal hands-on plan!
Redesign Etc., also works within all budgets, and size of homes, has flexible hours, and takes credit cards. We proudly service Houston to Galveston and all areas in between.
Also visit our website at www.redesignetc.com or email cindy@redesignetc.com

Houston Area Home Builders Save Money On Your Model Homes!

New home building is at an all time high, which means more competition for the home builder. As all builders know showing a vacant home vs. a model home is like night and day. Only 10% of home buyers can visualize their furnishings in a vacant home. The whole concept of a model home is to attract potential customers, that will say "Wow, I love this house, it's just what I want".
Purchasing a home involves a myriad of emotions in buyers, and is usually the biggest financial investment they will ever make. So being able to showcase your vacant home with that model home appeal is key to selling future homes.
So how can you turn your vacant property into a model home without the huge price tag?
By using a concept that is still new to many. Savvy builders have already been using this new practice, with unbelievable results. It is called Home Staging.

Benefits to using Redesign Etc. for home staging your models:

Equipped to fully furnish a model home with beautiful furniture, accessories, linens, and everything you need for that "WOW" factor for a fraction of the cost.
Rental program for furniture.
Rental program for accessories.
No pressure to buy expensive furniture, or anything else.
No overhead to carry.
No furniture to sell at undervalued pricing.
Don't have to worry about recouping the huge decorating budget if contents had been purchased.
When model sells, everything is taken out, and you're not left to the hassles of what to do with all the furniture.
The most cost effective, practical way to showcase your models, with stunning results.
Work within all budgets.
Do a few key rooms, or the whole house, you decide.

At Redesign Etc. we know what appeals to the widest variety of buyers, because we are in the business of staging homes to get sold for top dollar!

We would be happy to give you a complimentary consultation, visit your property, and explain how the process works.

Please feel free to email cindy@redesignetc.com

Visit our website http://www.redesignetc.com/

Or call 281-748-2170 for more information.