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Professionally decorated home does not equal SOLD.

By
Home Stager

It seems to be a common misconception among Sellers and Realtors that if a home has been professionally decorated, the home does not need a Stager.

Yes the home may look well put together, but the home has been decorated with the Seller's personal needs in mind. The home is probably too personal to appeal to a wide variety of viewers.

Interior Designers focus on how the client will use the space for living. They focus on colours that make their client comfortable. It doesn't matter if the colour is vivid.

If the client has a collection the Interior Designer will find a way to display it so it can be enjoyed.

The Interior Designer will find a way for everyone to watch TV together.

In short the home is perfect for living.

When the house goes on the market the focus switches to selling - getting the equity out of the house.

Now it is time for a Stager to come into the picture. The Stager will take all these wonderful pieces and use them in a different way.

A Stager is not focused on the Seller. A Stager is focused on the needs of the Buyer.

The Stager wants each room to open up right away and appear spacious. This means pieces may have to be removed from the room or repositioned in the room.

Stagers want good traffic flow for the Buyer. If the house is easy to move about in it feels comfortable.

Strong paint colours can suit the Seller's pieces but be totally wrong for the Buyer's. To them that designer colour is a problem. It is something they have to change to be comfortable. It is an added expense.

Stagers highlight the features of the home that will attract a Buyer not the Seller's collection.

Interior Designers and Stagers have different priorities. Use the correct Professional for the job.

Call a Stager to shift the home into 'Selling Mode'.

 

 

 

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(14)

Tina Maraj
RE/MAX One - Fullerton, CA
Celebrating 30 Years of Real Estate Sales

The focus on selling is key. Great points. Many home owners just don't understand the difference. 

Sep 16, 2010 05:18 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

I just listed a house and the seller is an artist - I brought a stager in but to no avail.  Absolutely nothing could be touched because the seller "knows" how things should be put together.  I even tried to move a basket with a few pieces of fruit in it (including 1 half-eaten banana) for the photographer, but the seller rushed in and told me to leave it where it was - it was meant to be there.

No matter how many times I discuss getting more $$ for the house, she is adamant.

If I thought it would do any good, I would send her your post!

Sep 16, 2010 05:21 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Brilliant, Janice!  I see this all the time.  Decorating is for the HOMEOWNER; staging is for BUYERS.  Unfortunately, some homeowners can't see the forest for the trees.  I'm suggesting this for a feature.

Sep 16, 2010 06:02 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Excellent points Janice, which is one of the reasons staging is at times difficult for me, I have more of an eye for the decorating end of my business...............you are so right.

Sep 16, 2010 06:32 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Unfortunately Tina, that will hold them back.

Margaret, some just won't listen. Artists have very colourful homes which may delay their sale.

Thanks Tanya! I'm glad you agree ;).

Sep 16, 2010 06:33 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Roger, I know how successful the design part of your business has been ;). Stagers and Designers definitely wear different hats.

Sep 16, 2010 06:35 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Janice , you are so right. We meet huge resistance from people who hired designers in the past. They don't even want to know that their house needs staging. I would say that that staging is right in the middle between sterile house and decorated one.

Sep 16, 2010 09:59 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

I think you are right Anna. The house has to be impersonal enough for the buyer to be able to see themselves there but not so stripped it is cold. 

Sep 16, 2010 01:05 PM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Janice,

 

I think you point out a very imporatnt and careful distinction.

 

Brian

Sep 17, 2010 01:51 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Thank you Brian.

Sep 17, 2010 03:07 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Janice - how true ..... on occasion stagers are called in to help make a home more livable and there is a difference between staged to live and staged to sell homes.

Sep 17, 2010 03:54 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Kathy, I'm glad you agree! Thanks!

Sep 17, 2010 05:29 AM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Janice: I agree and will keep a copy of your blog in my sales presentation, I have had this discussion many times with sellers.

Ty

Sep 17, 2010 09:55 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Ty, I'm so glad you agree! Thanks!

Sep 18, 2010 03:37 AM