Disclaimer:  This is the true story of a somewhat obsessive home stager.  The level of staging in a home is set by the homeowner-- you can do as much or as little as you like.  I chose the "all-out, go for broke, I'm gonna sell this house if it's the last thing I do" approach.

My first hand experience with staging my NJ home continues!  Now that I have de-cluttered, it's time to actually stage the house. 

 First Challenge:  No Storage Space

When a seller has packed loads of stuff to store until moving day, they have a couple of options:

•  Rent a storage unit or store it with a friend or relative until moving day.  This is not always an option.  So, the next best thing--

•  Designate a space in the basement or garage where storage bins can be neatly stacked, away from the main living areas of the home.

Uh-oh!  I do not have a garage or basement-- a good reason why I'm moving.  I not only have my own stuff but a ton of staging accessories for my home staging business.  What to do?

So, sad but true, I broke my own rule, and used an extra bedroom to store everything.  Now, the bedroom is the same size as the one next to it, which is good.  I contained everything neatly against the back wall, taking up less than half the room.  And-- I certainly did not include pictures of this room in my marketing!  My hope was that the buyers would be so "wowed" by the first floor that once upstairs, they would overlook the one room that wasn't "up to snuff." 

Second Challenge:  Staging with Pets

Any evidence of our beloved furry members of the family must be hidden.  It's true.  And it's difficult.  Bedding, toys, food and water bowls, litter box, hair, chews, and the pets themselves.  Here's what we did:

• The bedding and clean litter box were hidden under beds; toys into storage trunks.

• We took both dogs and the cat for a car ride during every showing. 

NOTE:  Hiding things under the bed only works if the bed skirt is long enough to cover.

If the skirt's not long enough, you're not hiding anything!

 Third Challenge:  Living Staged

Now, all was in place-- the rooms were decorated to appeal to buyers, everything was clean and smelling fresh.  Now, how to keep it up?

The best thing I can tell you is:  baskets and storage benches/ottomans are your best friend!  You can quickly and easily toss stuff into them before showings.  Toiletries, laundry, toys, mail and bills, remotes and chargers, shoes, just about anything that can add clutter can get tossed into a bin and hidden.

Living staged is a bit odd.  I have towels and table settings that are only for show.  I routinely hide all evidence that anyone eats here, sleeps here, or uses the bathroom in any way.  The house needs to be ready for those agents who give very little notice when requesting a showing.  I have become a master of hiding things, cleaning quickly, and freshening a room.

It is exhausting.

Statistically, homes that have been staged spend less time on the market so that's really good news for me!  I have to say, when the house is really clean, beautifully decorated, and you're careful about the upkeep, it is a very nice way to live!

 Stay tuned for my next post:

My First Hand Experience with Staging my NJ Home-Part Three:  The Showings!

Part One: The Preparation

 Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.