As a home stager, I work with agents and sellers and never meet the buyers. Well, last week changed that! I pulled up to my 1800's staged house in New Paltz NY with my movers to remove the furniture and there was a towering white-haired gentleman on the front porch! He shook my hand and introduced himself as the new owner. He already knew I was the stager as his broker had told him to expect me. He was very enthusiastic about the look of the house he had just bought and said, "the staging was just right". He went on to say that he liked that I had used "livable furniture" and that the house looked very comfortable. This was important to him because although he loved the idea of owning a house with history, he was a big guy and would not have felt that the house was right for him with a bunch of formal period furniture.
I have staged many period houses in Ulster and Dutchess counties in New York. From the beginning of when I relocated my business from New York City to Upstate NY, I decided to build a furniture inventory that was neutral enough to look good in any house. Of course, I enjoy adding accessories that honor the house--antiques and rocking chairs for my period stagings and modern art and decor for my contemporary ones-- but the furniture is interchangeable.
The most important thing to remember when putting your house on the market, is that your house look well-cared for and cozy. People want to be able to imagine kicking back on the sofa to read the paper or perhaps watch the game. Very few people can imagine casual living in a house that looks like a museum. So, if you are serious about selling, then pack away most of your antiques. By creating a relaxed and spacious environment your house will be more appealing and hopefully, like this New Paltz house, find a buyer this selling season!
Linda Esposito, Professional Stager
HouseSetters Home Staging Services
Ulster, Dutchess, Greene and Columbia counties New York
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