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If you don't use it, it doesn't mean your buyers won't...

By
Home Stager with Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607

If you don't use it, it doesn't mean your buyers won't...

When we live in the house for many years we adjust it to fit our family needs and very often we are re-purposing the spaces.unlock potential

We clutter the fireplace with kids toys or blocking it with sofa, using the dining room as an office, extra bedroom as a storage room. When it comes to sell we have to put everything back to it's original purpose. When the house is on the market it is not about our style of life, it is about the potential style wide range of buyers could have in it. The only trick is that we have to reveal valuable aspects of our home to the buyers because 90% of them can't visualize themselves in the house that is re-purposed or too cluttered.

For example during one of my Home Staging consultations the sellers had their patio doors blocked by their bed in the master. What was behind that doors? A small fenced court yard. Not to mеntion that the house located on the acres of land and in the woody area so deer are not a surprise for the residents. Deer live around and eat everything they find. So that courtyard was the only opportunity for the home owners to enjoy some gardening. If they didn't it doesn't mean that their potential buyers won't.

Add Value Home Staging suggested to the home owner was to reposition the bed and open up the entrance to the court yard, than to plant some tropical trees and bring two patio chairs that they already had in their back yard. Adding the party cart, potted plants and some lanterns would make the space cozy and it will definitely be an added value to the house.

If you don't use it, it doesn't mean your buyers won't. Just make sure your reveal your house's potential.

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna- good call pointing this out to the homeowners.  You have to show the assets of your house whether or not you use them.  

Aug 18, 2011 07:37 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Excellent advice, Anna!  This is where a neutral professional set of eyes comes in handy...most sellers only see their house the way it works for their lifestyle and this is usually not the best way to present it to potential buyers.

Aug 18, 2011 08:10 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Valerie, the house was not on sale, so it was a smart decision to hire a stager who can find that hidden jewel before the house goes on the market.

Kathy, absolutely agree.

Sharon, thank you. Sellers can't be objective if it is about HEIR property and THEIR life style.

Aug 18, 2011 09:11 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Isn't it amazing how people repurpose an area and expect the buyers to just know what it was originally. I've had clients hide fireplaces but never a lovely courtyard off the master. Good advice Anna!

Aug 18, 2011 11:26 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Janice, honestly it is not that lovely now, but it could be if the sellers will decide that it is valuable assets. I sent them reminder today.

Aug 18, 2011 11:54 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

The best advice Anna.............some people lose focus of things around them when they've lived in a place for a long time.

Aug 18, 2011 02:54 PM
Alicia Barrington
THE ORIGINAL HOUSTON HOME STAGING - Katy, TX
Houston Home Staging Presents Alicia Barrington

So true, so true!   I'm always finding hidden treasures like doors, storage space, and last week I found an elevator!

Aug 18, 2011 09:24 PM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Good advise Anna, each home needs to be at its best and show the good things to attract more potential buyers.

Aug 18, 2011 11:45 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Thanks Roger, every house needs the second opinion.

Tom, an elevator? That is an exiting find.

Al, thank you. You right, we have to highlight as many features of the house as we can.

 

Aug 19, 2011 01:29 AM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Anna--Your clients were hiding a courtyard, I've had them hiding ocean views!  You are so right that clients get so used to how they live in a house that they miss the features that buyers love. 

Aug 19, 2011 02:06 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Janet, thanks for the great laugh! Hiding an ocean view would be the winner in that contest. I think people should go back and think what attracted them to buy that house many years ago.

Aug 19, 2011 03:00 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

I hink we're all surprised at what we find.  Windows covred by headboards, tall dressers, or entertainment centers.  Fireplaces covered by playhouses...Show them off!  Great graphic, too, Anna!

Aug 19, 2011 03:58 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Thanks Julie. "Show them off" should be the title of my blog LOL

Aug 19, 2011 05:07 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I've always disliked going into a home where doors and windows are blocked by furniture yet so many people do it. I think they just bought the wrong house to begin with.

Aug 19, 2011 12:58 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Jim, very ofter home builder does not leave you a choice. Many times you put the bed against the window and it doesn't look bad at all as long as you set it up right. BTW I like that kind of setting because it does not require a fancy headboard or a large artwork. On the other end I feel that  doors should not be blocked. 

Aug 19, 2011 02:27 PM
c m
Colorado Springs, CO

Re-purposed rooms...the bane of a stagers existence. NO it is not ok to leave the formal dining room as a playroom. NO it is not ok to leave the basement as a kennel, and NO it's not ok shove that bed/dresser/chair/sofa/fill in the blank up against the door that leads to another room/patio/backyard! Keep preachin'!!

Aug 24, 2011 05:49 PM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

Great job !! I have also been in homes where doors and windows have been blocked...in staging we have to open up the space...thanks for sharing.

Aug 28, 2011 04:32 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Cheryl, sorry for the late reply. There are so many NOT OK's you need to write a blog post about it.

Thank you Mary Lou.

Sep 05, 2011 12:53 PM