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There’s More To Staging Your Home Than Fluffing the Pillows

By
Real Estate Agent with DWELL Real Estate

Marc Rasmussen – Sarasota Luxury Homes

Are you thinking about putting your house on the market? Do you want to sell it within one to two weeks? Statistics show that staging your home by a professional will result in a sale much quicker than a home that is cluttered and unkempt.

Staging is not about transforming your home into something it is not. It is about presenting your home’s best features so buyers can see themselves living in the space.

The first thing a buyer sees is the exterior of the house and the landscaping. Good curb appeal gives the buyers a feel for what they can expect on the inside. If your house paint is chipping, lawn is overgrown and the bushes need trimming, many people will drive right by even if the interior is spectacular. First impressions can make or break a deal.

Rooms presented with a new, neutral coat of paint does not distract buyers from the space. Paint freshens the room giving it that clean feeling and people envision living there. Color sets the mood of the room. Lighter colors make the room appear larger. Deeper colors give the feeling of coziness. Extras such as crown and chair rail molding add character to a home. Clean the carpets,re-grout tile, and refinish the hardwood floors or at least buff and/or polish. House hunters will admire your efforts and admire them immediately.

Children’s toys are a distraction and a safety hazard when you have guests walking around. It portrays the illusion of a smaller space or not enough storage. Provide for your pets as well. Have them stay with a friend or at a kennel temporarily. A home that shows evidence of pet stains, odors, or damage is extremely unappealing to a buyer and that will sometimes squelch the deal. Again, another distraction.

Staging a home takes restraint. Remove some of the bulky furniture you don’t really need. Arrange the remainder into a room that pulls you in instead of scaring you away. Use area rugs to define spaces. Take all the family pictures off the walls and tabletops. You can bring them back out in your new home. Edit down the furniture so you have ample walking space between pieces and rooms. Find something that you can make a focal point in a living room. For instance, make the fireplace stand out or highlight that bay window with the million-dollar view. Choose something that will catch the eye of the buyer when they enter the room so they can imagine their furniture in the space.

Accessorize with pops of color. You don’t have to go crazy. Three to five different things around the room will help your eye move and see the whole space. Keep textures in mind as well. A small area rug, some baskets, colorful pottery, or metal sculptures will bring a room to life. Lure your buyer into the room so they want to see more. Potential buyers should act as if they don’t want to leave and envision themselves in the space

There is much more to staging when list your home for sale. A professional will have the ideas and the resources for the seller right down to the accessories. So if you want to sell fast-consider staging!

Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Staging helps, but then it needs to be marketed properly and after all that if it's still priced too high it still won't sell.

Apr 20, 2011 12:50 AM
Beverly Carlson
Carlson Properties 325-721-2429 - Abilene, TX
Abilene's Staging Realtor

I couldn't agree more.  Staging also helps the seller's motivation by helping them emotionally let go of the way things were and agree to a more marketable price.   Often sellers like the "staged look"  a lot.  A staged house is easy to market. The photos stand out head and shoulders of all those sad cluttered rooms with oversized furnishings. 

Apr 23, 2011 02:37 AM