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STAGING -- Making Room for a View

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Classic 6501339094

Since I've already covered de-cluttering, de-personalizing and the all-important exterior first impression as a buyer pulls up to the home, let's talk about the interior room basics.  I don't know how many times I've heard from clients and colleagues how a buyer has been turned off because of too much furniture or "stuff" that sellers try to jam into one room.  It gives the house a feeling of being unbalanced and lacking space.

It is so important to share with our sellers that buyers want to see SPACE!  They want to know that the floorplan will work for them.  First and foremost, too much furniture is NOT a good thing.  If you are planning on selling and moving anyway, remove some of that furniture and place it in a temporary storage area.  Maybe you could donate it to a local charity if it's looking tattered.  There might even be a college student or first-time home owner who would "love" to have it. There's also the possibility of selling it . . . make a few bucks and alleviate having to move it to your next home.

Also, over-accessorizing can kill a sale!  It's hard for a buyer to look through all that "foo-foo"and picture the home as their own.  Find a storage bin to save those precious treasures in or a local thrift store that might resell those items.  Trust me, there are plenty more chatzkis where those came from!

Once we've eliminated the excess furniture and decorative items, it's time to prepare each room.  This is where it's worth investing in a professional stager! The difference between a well-staged home and one that is sort of mish-mash could mean a better potential for selling more quickly and at a higher sale price versus sitting on the market.

No matter how much a good real estate agent tries to get a buyer to look beyond the seller's belongings, most times they can't. In this market of extremely picky buyers (because they can be), every little detail is important! So, follow this formula:  Good furniture placement minus excess accessories equals an A+ for our sellers!

Comments (2)

Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

I am going through that right now with an elderly home owner and trying to get her to at the very least put the stuff in the garage so the buyers can see the lovely open floor plan. We will see what happens.

I see you are from good ole No6 :) my grandfather used to tell me how novi got it's name and it had something to do with a train or something that was no6. Im from Goodrich and my grandmother lives in Linden.

Aug 16, 2007 01:28 AM
Diana Perez
Majestic Properties - Miami, FL

Some seller's don't understand the importance of home staging. I wonder how would they feel when they view their next home and it is in a similar situation. Some people don't think or know just how cluttered their space is until they actually do clear it up. I've seen some homes' that are so cluttered and in deplorable conditions that I don't know if as an agent I would want to sell that home unless there is a clear understanding of the cluttering situation.  That says a lot about the agent and the company that they work for.  Good post.

Aug 16, 2007 01:45 AM