That's all the time you have to impress a prospective buyer, therefore, you should make sure that you do not waste those precious minutes.  In tough economic times the normal reaction is to hold on to your hard earned cash, of course this is the correct procedure when dealing with non-essential items. But, when it comes to selling your house you need to answer ‘YES' to Staging!

The fact is that many more houses will be competing with yours in a market where home buyers are in the drivers' seat. Today's home purchasers are more astute and much more demanding. They want the most they can get for their buck(s). They look at the various staging shows and have very fixed ideas about what they want and expect from the property they will eventually call home.  

There are four important issues that affect the sale and the selling price of your house, these are:

•1)    Location

•2)    Current Market Conditions (Buyers or Sellers Market)

•3)    The Condition of your property

•4)    The your home is Presented

 As a home-owner you have no control over your present location or the current market conditions, but, there are two things over which you do have control:

(a) the condition of your house

(b) the way it is presented (meaning staged). 

Having you home staged by a professional, certified stager will give your property the advantage it needs to stand out from the competition. Statistics show that 85% of buyers look at properties on the internet before making an appointment to view. 

Statistics also prove that staged homes sell quicker and for a higher price.  (Maritz Research Staging Polls show that 63% of buyers were willing to pay more money for a house that is move-in ready.

 A survey done by Joy Valentine, Coldwell Banker Broker found that homes that were staged sold in 13.8 days while homes that were not staged which sold in 30.9 days).

A professional, certified stager will use her/his trained eye to highlight the best features of your home, while depersonalizing and neutralizing other areas. A well staged home will encourage buyers to stay longer and visualize themselves living there. Having buyers spend a longer time in your home is a ‘good thing' it means that they are interested!

 "I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."  - Abraham Maslow
1908-1970, Psychologist

  Joanna Parris, the Effective Stager

Joanna Parris, CSP, cSMM is a certified Home Staging Expert, a member of RESA, (Real Estate Staging Association) & SEA (Staging Excellence Alliance)
Published Author, Speaker & Staging Expert.
Joanna can be reached at: E: effectivestaging@rogers.com
W: http://effectivestaging.com