Staging Q & A

Interview with chriStine S. coWleS

Owner, Styled & Staged Santa Barbara

What does it mean to have your home staged for sale?

Home staging is marketing; it’s about creating an emotional connection for the buyer to the home Home staging companies bring in furniture, lighting and décor selected to compliment the style of the home while enhancing the best features of the property . Staging – in addition to an agent’s other marketing efforts and proper pricing – can garner multiple offers, often resulting in a home in escrow within a few days .

How did you and your husband get started in the business? How long?

In 2016 I convinced a Realtor to let me stage a home It sold in a few days and we were hooked Later that year I completed Women’s Economic Ventures’ Self-Employment Training and became a Certified Staging Design Professional™ in 2018 . It’s taken many long hours and working seven days a week to build our company, but it doesn’t feel like work when you love what you do!

What did you do before that?

Until recently I worked at Santa Barbara Middle School in communications and fundraising coupled with years of freelance event planning and graphic design experience Prior to moving here, Mauricio worked overseas in luxury hotels

Describe several clients selling situations and how you helped with a custom staging?

The power of staging is best told through stories! We recently staged a vacant home with 90s finishes that sat on the market for over a year . After staging, it was put back on the market –at the exact same price – and, in just over two months, this $2 .7M home was in escrow and has since closed .

There’s also a lot of value that we can provide to homeowners who are living in their home while it is for sale Earlier this year I met with a couple and recommended new carpet and paint, rearranging the living room furniture, and reducing belongings in the house by over half They did everything I advised and the house sold in seven days and $17,000 over asking price And the home didn’t even have the latest upgrades!

How much more does a staged home sell for typically?

According to Home Staging Resource, 68% of staged homes sold for 9% more than their unstaged competition, and according to the National Association of Realtors®, 83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home One of the first homes we staged sold for $80,000 over asking price!

What areas do you cover?

We work in the greater Santa Barbara area and occasionally San Luis Obispo county

How much does it cost?

Our fees typically range between $2,800 to $7,500 and consultations start at $275

What training does one need to become a home stager?

Unlike some professions, there isn’t a license or degree required to become a home stager I am, however, a Certified Staging Design Professional™ with standards for this certification determined by RESA (Real Estate Staging Association), the national association for home staging . We are also members of Santa Barbara Association of Realtors and are committed to giving back to our local community .

Styled and Staged. : styledandstagedsb.com 805-324-7424.

(continued from page 46)

1/3 cup olive oil

4 ounces diced country ham or tasso

4 small diced red chilis, or pinch of crushed red pepper

1 bay leaf

2 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes

5 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp . kosher salt

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)

1 1/2 cup low sodium chicken or seafood stock

¼ cups half-and-half

3 lbs manila or littleneck clams, scrubbed

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 Tbsps chopped parsley

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat Add the ham, chilies or crushed red pepper, and bay leaf and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes

Add the sweet potatoes, garlic and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes begin to soften, about 6-8 minutes

Add the wine and cook for another minute

Add the tomatoes, stock and half-and-half and bring to a simmer Cover and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a paring knife . Add the clams, cover, and cook over high heat until the shells open, 6-8 minutes . Discard any clams that do not open and remove the chilis and bay leaf Sprinkle the chowder with the pepper and parsley and serve with crusty bread

Recipe and photo by James Stefiuk

Stuffed Peppers

Sweeter peppers work best with these ground turkey stuffed peppers, but feel free to use your color of choice

Ingredients

11 ounces long grain brown rice

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 medium garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 medium white onion

1 pound ground turkey breast salt and pepper, to taste

One 32-ounce carton chicken broth

0ne 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes

7 ounces fresh baby spinach

1 .5 cup Italian-blend shredded cheese*

5 medium to large peppers

1 cup bread crumbs (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Cook the rice according to the package directions, and set aside . Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat . Add the garlic and onion, and sauté until translucent . Turn the heat up to medium, and crumble in the turkey meat, separating it as best as you can (it will become easier to separate as it cooks) Sauté the meat until it browns, about 7 minutes Add salt and pepper, to taste Once the meat has browned, add 1 cup of chicken broth and the diced tomatoes Lower the heat and let simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes Add the spinach and stir well As the spinach is wilting, add the cooked rice Stir often to marry the flavors and textures . Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes . Cut away the tops of the peppers Discard the ribs and seeds Add the remaining chicken broth to a baking dish; it should come halfway up the sides Place each pepper standing up Once the stuffing has finished cooking, fill each pepper completely Top with a layer of breadcrumbs or cheese, if desired (this will create a crust when the peppers come out of the oven) Cover the pan with foil, and bake for 35-45 minutes, or when the peppers begin to wrinkle Serve

Notes

*Note: Feel free to substitute a cheese of your choice *Note: Recipe works great with meatloaf mix as well

Recipe and photos by James Stefiuk