Are you preparing to sell your property and wondering - how can I make my home the best it can be?  That question has never been more relevant given the current real estate market.  Potential buyers are out there, but the inventory of homes on the market is at one of its highest points right now.  Competition is fierce, and you want every possible edge in marketing your home.

You've seen all the staging and design programs on HGTV and perhaps think you can do it yourself.  Keep in mind that it is difficult to capture all the staging techniques that are required to best prepare a home for sale from a television program.  Home staging is most successful when done by an experienced professional who is familiar with your local market.  Understanding the use of color, the importance of scale, and proper placement of furniture is key.  A professional stager also has the ability to view your home as a potential buyer would without any emotional attachment to the property or furnishings.

Great Room 'staged' by Realtor

In the example above this large great room was 'staged' by the Realtor as they felt it was better than an empty space.  A very small table in the large dining area and two stools at the kitchen pass through did not make buyers feel at home here and in fact makes the room feel worse than if it was empty.  It really needed full staging as one of the major complaints was that buyers could not imagine what to do with the vast amount of space.  Accenting the focal point which is a huge firepalce flanked by floor to ceiling windows and showing a great furniture layout is what this room needed.

This property sat on the market for two months with no activity before it was professionally staged.

Great Room professionally staged by Synergy Staging

By professionally staging the space the room comes alive and creates a sense of emotional impact that buyers are drawn to.  An appropriately scaled dining room table now defines the space properly.  The living room is now arranged as a space buyers can envision.  Also, prior to staging, the fireplace was getting a thumbs down because of the unappealing brown paint tone and it was also overbearing in the space.  Placing art the length of the fireplace makes the room feel grand and transforms an eyesore into a beautiful focal point.

Even though most homeowners wouldn't stage a house as the first photo shows, this example shows the dramatic difference proper staging can bring to a home.  The investment in staging will pay off when the home is prepared well, priced right, and presented professionally.  This home sold only weeks after it was staged.

This post is Part 1 in a series answering Why Hire a Professional Stager in Portland, Oregon?

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Join the Realtors, Investors, and Homeowners who call Synergy Staging to make their properties irresistible.  For more tips or to see our latest home staging projects, visit us on Facebook and read our Portland Home Staging Blog.  Please call us at (503) 557-2244 for a free no obligation quote so we can help your home sell faster.