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What is your favorite moment when you arrive at a destination for vacation?  Is it the calm and refreshing feeling of being welcomed into the thoughtfully-appointed hotel lobby? Surrounded by warm colors and manicured greenery, are you lured into relaxing?  Possibly it is the mere inhalation of the sweet-smelling air from a clean room? Perhaps it is the attention to details which you casually note. Somehow, you felt embraced by the overall wonderful feelings of your first impressions and you relaxed into your own private Shangri-La.

Isn't this how we all want to happily relax after our day is completed? 

Each one of us pretty much has the same desires and needs when it comes to the relaxing feelings we crave while living in the place we call...Home.

When we are looking to purchase a new home, we search and hope to find that perfect opportunity to discover our new Shangri-La.

So here is the dilemma.  How do you activate your home's Shangri-La to welcome new owners?

Because we all have different tastes and styles of living, it is often a challenge to envision our personal home in a different light.  Home Staging professionals have the discerning eye which benefits every home seller. Staging will help guide your potential buyer to the ‘I can see myself and family living here' feeling which every home-buyer is seeking.  

Ahhh....this is where the magic begins.  HOME STAGING.  A professional Home Stager has the creativity needed to bring out the personality of a home.   Stagers are a homeowner's ally because they want to help you create more home value and improve your selling position. These talented professionals will fashion more universal and inviting spaces within your home! (Pssst...and by you trusting the professional's direction on recommended improvements, your home will more likely display the necessary appeal to attract serious potential buyers!)

It is imperative to think about the impact of HGTV on our lives.  Home buyers today have much higher expectations than in the past!  The fabulous and creative home programs have shown us in less than 30 minutes, how to identify and organize cleaner spaces, increase curb appeal, redecorate using your grandmother's vintage china....the shows are endless.  They are fun and intriguing to watch aren't they? The general public has changed and improved their knowledge when it comes to expectations of home living.

So what does this change of viewpoint mean for the home SELLER?  You can no longer be complacent when you are competing in today's real estate market.  It's SHOW TIME! 

Yes, you read that correctly.  It is a fierce competition out there in the home seller's market and you need to be prepared to run in this race if you want to reach the finish line faster.  Hiring the expertise of a professional Home Stager in your area will more than pay for itself when your home sells.  90% of buyers can not easily picture themselves living in your home. They need help to visualize your home as their Shangri-La. There is no question as to what the smart seller must do - Hire a Home Stager!

There are many, many small details which make a huge difference when preparing your home to sell. That pile of old papers and magazines in the bedroom corner, which is barely noticed by you, becomes a stand-out distraction to a potential buyer when they walk through your home.  Perhaps too many framed photos of the children growing up can unintentionally cause the buyer to feel as though they are invading your family's sanctuary.  It can be a challenge for many prospective buyers to picture themselves living their Shangri-La in your most private rooms and spaces. There are countless benefits to you when hiring a professional Home Stager. They can assist not only with the most important details of preparing a home for sale, they will also provide great suggestions for ways to increase your home's value.  When you choose to work with a Home Stager, you will improve your chances of selling your home for more money in your pocket.

Let's face it, times have changed.  The Real Estate marketplace is ever-evolving in many areas and our expectations as homebuyers have reached new levels.  Television home shows have increased our awareness and desire to reach for new heights in home design and decor. What should you do if you want to sell your home? Your best choice is to consult with a professional Home Stager and let them help you.  You will then have a better advantage over the many other homes on the market in your area.  Plus, it is likely you will increase the selling value of your home as well!

Now think back to the inviting feelings at the beginning of this article....smell the freshness of the arranged cut-flowers in the reception lobby, your nerves are calmed by the clean living and sleeping quarters, and your sense of relaxation and general well-being feels good.  You cherish these feelings and you want to remain there longer.  In fact, you make a vow to return because those nice feelings are ones to remember. 

Ah-ha! That's the result you desire from buyers after staging your home to sell - you want the interested buyers to return and offer a great contract to purchase your home.

Every piece of real estate property can be strategically and creatively enhanced through hiring a professional Home Stager.  All properties are unique and want to be noticed...and every Buyer desires to own a piece of Shangri-La.

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Written by: Kathleen Garvey,
Enhanced Interiors & Home Staging, Fort Myers, Florida

Email us at: Enhancedinteriors@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 
Post is included in group: All Things Florida
Post is included in group: Carnival of Content - Staging Professionals
Post is included in group: Realtors®

50 Comments on HOME STAGING & SELLING – EXPLORING SHANGRI-LA EXPECTATIONS

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
22
2007
staging is so very important. i once heard that a client refused to belive that two homes were identical models (they were accross the street from each other none the less!). this person went on to state that she would buy one but not the other. guess which one was staged.
4:49pm • #31
4 Featured Posts

Thanks Brian!  I do not think any stager is worried at all about the shows....the idea is that so many people now CARE about how their home looks when they plan on selling.  Isn't that great??!! Everyone is slowly becoming educated on the major differences between staged and unstaged.  Of course, many will try it on their own.  Some will do just fine!  Most, just do not have that keen and creative eye which Home Stagers have, that makes the difference!  The difference between selling sooner vs. much later when left professionally unstaged.  Hiring a professional is KEY and I also believe that HGTV has shown many times over, WHY you want to make these improvements!  Regards-Kathleen

7:28pm • #32
4 Featured Posts
Hello Robert! Thank you for commenting. I watched a show on that very thing...red brick row house types.....boring, oh so boring until you went inside and saw the staged vs unstaged!  The looks we experience on people's faces make the effort so worthwhile!  Selling quickly for the client makes them smile even more!!  Regards-Kathleen
7:31pm • #33
AUG
23
2007
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Exactly - everyone wants to come home to a special place, a place that is comfortable and relaxing.
12:38am • #34
4 Featured Posts
I am glad that you agree Bob & Carolin! Who wouldn't want to come home to a place which is wonderful in feeling!  The way people feel when they enter a home they might purchase makes such a huge difference!!  As stagers, we create the GOOD feelings which helps the buyers better envision themselves in a particular 'space'.....which may eventually become their 'home'.  Regards-Kathleen
6:10am • #35

Kathleen, you did a great job here.  Congratulations!  I look forward to reading more from you!

I am sorry I did not make a comment yesterday, I am away on vaction, and my family is only letting me have a little time on my computer!  LOL

10:54am • #36

Kathleen, you did a great job here.  Congratulations!  I look forward to reading more from you!

I am sorry I did not make a comment yesterday, I am away on vaction, and my family is only letting me have a little time on my computer!  LOL

10:54am • #37
AUG
24
2007
1,092,398 Points 201 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hello Kathleen,

Congratulations on your very creative piece and know that you have impressed a number with your creative approach. You are so right about HGTV and thankfully they have enlivened the consciousness of so many homeowners. Where have they been all these years. Style and good taste should be enjoyed by everyone. Hopefully many sellers when they become buyers will also hire a pro to set up their new homes and not try to do it themselves.  

1:28am • #38
4 Featured Posts
Hello Joelle!!  Welcome back from vacation!!  There is never a time limit on making comments here!! We all love them 24/7!!  Good job to you as well-I know I am am great company!!  Regards-Kathleen
8:35am • #39
4 Featured Posts
Thank you William Johnson!!  I appreciate your kind words and like you, want to maximize the general public's knowledge of real estate, home staging and the art of making great money!  There are a lot of details and ultimately, Home Staging is similar to the decorative details on a beautiful frosted cake....we use the same ingredients as the many other cakes, though different---we simply present with style!!  Regards-Kathleen
8:38am • #40
AUG
25
2007
189,359 Points 7 Featured Posts
Great post Kathleen!  I love an inviting Hotel Lobby.  I always look at them online before I make a reservation.  This is true with home buyers looking for a new home.  Great analogy.  Thanks for sharing and educating.
8:17pm • #41
AUG
26
2007
4 Featured Posts
Hey Janice! Thanks for reading....yes, the lobbies of hotels/resorts are spaces which really set the tone for your experience in a particular place.  For me, I enjoy that initial feeling of relaxation when on vacation and try my best to recreate that in a home...especially when Staging for a client who wants to sell their home faster and receive great offers!! Regards-Kathleen
9:04am • #42
SEP
01
2007
135,611 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

You bring up excellent points here and I too agree we all want Shangri la at home, it helps us to think more clearly as well. Congrats on winning, well deserved

Phyllis Pafumi

3:49pm • #43
4 Featured Posts
Hello Phyllis....thank you for taking the time to read and comment!  Today I am relaxing in my own Shangri-La (home) and could not feel more happily content!!  Thanks again....Regards-Kathleen
3:52pm • #44
SEP
10
2007
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Kathleen~ Beautiful and well written blog.  My buyers seem to have this "feeling" you touch on in your blog when they enter a home.  Ussually they clue me into it by stating, "I could see myself living here." or, "This feels good to me." or, "This is not at all what I was hoping it would be!"  All the best to you, and keep up the blogging!

~Joy

8:08pm • #45
SEP
11
2007
4 Featured Posts
Thank you Joy!  I appreciate you stopping by here to read!  As a realtor, I think you are spot-on with paying attention to those words from a client's mouth...it is in the 'feeling' that a connection is made to a home.  You are on the right track to have a successful real estate career with your kind and thoughtful manner...your recent blog was a fine example!  Keep up the good work as well!! Regards-Kathleen
7:10am • #46
JUL
01
2008

Year ago I was searching a site where I could sell my house. I found really great site. It was called Fizber. There were great services. You can find them here http://www.fizber.com/sale-by-owner-home-services/index.htm.

8:59am • #47
JUL
08
2008
MAR
04
2009
138,532 Points 6 Featured Posts

Hi Kathleen - great article - just loved it! Yes, the competition is more fierce than ever before and agents, homeowners and stagers need to be on their toes to ensure a home is sold!  Looking forward to seeing you on march 17th in Orlando. Kym

5:54pm • #50
MAR
05
2009
4 Featured Posts

Hello Kym-- Florida is fortunate that we will be seeing the StagersLIST EXPO here live!!  We all are looking forward to a great event which will motivate the professional home stagers who are diligently working with Realtors to help the Sellers attract more buyers....See ya soon!  Regards--Kathleen G

3:37pm • #51

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Kathleen Garvey - Denver Realtor & Nat'l HomeStaging Pro

Denver, CO

More about me…

Coldwell Banker

Address: 8490 E Crescent Pkwy Ste. 100, Greenwood Village, USA, CO, 80111

Office Phone: (303) 843-1234

Email Me

Follow along as Kathleen shares expert thoughts and opinions about Denver's Real Estate and area happenings. In addition to being a licensed Realtor, she is also a nationally-known and award-winning professional home stager/designer.

Clients give Kathleen Garvey high praise for her business & design knowledge. They also add that her engaging, fun personality provides buyers and sellers with an unmatched real estate experience!

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