Real Estate Blog - Staging the Garage-the Next Decorated Space?

Home : Blogs : Pam Faulkner-Faulkner House Redesign Stager-N. VA-Fairfax & Loudoun Co. : Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Redesign, Enter Stage Right

Staging the Garage-the Next Decorated Space?

At what point do buyers expect the garage to be another decorated room?

I'm used to explaining to homeowners that their garage needs to be clean, neat, as empty as possible of unnecessary storage items and randomly placed shelving and hooks. Rarely do I run across a garage that doesn't have painted drywall, but sometimes the taping is loose and needs to be fixed. The Rorschach Test oil splotches that the homeowners have become accustomed to obviously need to be cleaned up. Ant, roach and mouse traps need to disappear-and fast. Any signs of old leaks or water damage need to be addressed, primed and painted. Weird wiring, hanging chains and other question marks need to be eliminated. The space needs to be able to hold cars. This is the minimum that any homeowner should do, in my opinion

Buyers don't expect to see painted floors or garage flooring in this stage of the game unless you are talking about higher end homes. As the cost of storage systems and floor options comes down, more and more homeowners will go for the look and consequently buyers will come to expect it as they do finished and furnished basements. HGTV shows and ads are pushing these "Man Spaces" with refrigerators, TV's, ambient and task lighting and more. They are wonderful to look at. Is this space a stager's final frontier?

There is no doubt that a home with a "garage makeover" will have an appeal and it will definitely stand out in the market of similar homes. It may be over improvement in some, depending on the expense and detail. It won't necessarily warrant a higher price on a home, but in a slow market it may just be that extra edge.

So what's next, staged attics?

Posted by Pam Faulkner-Faulkner House Redesign Stager-N. VA-Fairfax & Loudoun Co. on 04/04/2008 05:08 PM

Comments (14)

staging, staged, slow market, makeover, stager, decorated room, homeowners, space, higher end homes, buyers, hgtv

14 Comments on Staging the Garage-the Next Decorated Space?

Pam, this is a great point you're making. When I tag along with friends shopping for homes, the garage is usually an eyesore. What a great idea to stage this area!

04/04/2008 05:18 PM

by Mark Organek - Tempe Gilbert Mesa Chandler REALTOR (RE/MAX Alliance)

Pam,

I showed several homes to some first time home buyers and the one that excited them the most was the one that the garage floors had been painted. I had to convince them that they had better options but that I was sure they could paint their own garage floor!

04/04/2008 05:21 PM

by Tammy Anderson-Owens, Broker/Associate (The "Metro East Home Team" of RE/MAX Preferred)

I think every square inch of any home on the market must be top notch. Including garages, which usually need the most help of all. I totally agree it could be a "must have" on some buyer's list.

04/04/2008 05:22 PM

by Connie King, CK Staging & Design (CK Staging & Design)

Pam - Your right that extra edge just might be the ticket to the winning sale, always be 100% on top of your game and success will surely follow. Good post!

04/04/2008 05:23 PM

by Justin Williams - Loan Officer (Prosperity Mortgage)

HI Pam! Good post and points! I think the garage and closets say alot about the homeowners. If they are crammed, stuffed and dirty buyers may think the home has not been cared for and the staging is just a "prop." I try to encourage the homeowners to rent a pod or storage space while the home is listed. Packing 1/2 of the toys, clothes and garage items are not usually missed. Cathy Lee, ASP

04/04/2008 06:39 PM

by Cathy Lee ASP (CL Design Services Home Staging)

Well, if anyone would have experience staging garages and attics, it will be Tom Scanlon, so I hope he makes a comment! Unfortunately, in some cases, the garage becomes the storage area for everything that doesn't work in the house. But, in a perfect world, a garage would be the way you described!

04/04/2008 06:44 PM

by Elaine Manes IRIS~Colorado Stager ~ A Wonderful Space, LLC (A Wonderful Space, LLC)

Agree, as we up the bar of staging, more and more will be required. Heck, five years ago we were staging with trash cans, round tops and table clothes in some areas...that would Never be tolerated today.

04/05/2008 01:45 AM

by Terrylynn Fisher StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (Diablo Realty)

Hi Pam -- Absoultely the garage should be staged... and people are staging their neighbors yard by the way, some pay for yard service... its true!!!

04/05/2008 02:01 AM

by Maple Valley, WA ~ Real Estate & Design Professional ~Julianna Hind, IRIS, RESA (Keller Williams Realty - Southeast Sound)

Pam, this is a touchy subject for another reason too. Have you noticed that when you ask clients to remove items from their homes they often want to use the "free" storage space in the garage. It is sometimes difficult to get them to understand it isn't free if it costs them a sale.

04/05/2008 10:23 AM

by Yvonne Root Northern Arizona Home Stager (rooms b.y. root)

Ooo, I love that "It isn't free storage if it cos's them a sale". I'll have to remember that, because trying to convince a seller to clear out the garage is like pulling teeth!

04/07/2008 10:04 AM

by Anderson Homes Redesigned LLC, Staging Kitsap County, Roberta Anderson (Anderson Homes Redesigned LLC)

Guys will always check out the garage (looking for the owner's "toys" as well as available space). It should be clean and showing the available shelving, etc.

04/07/2008 11:31 AM

by Kathy Riggle Houston Home Staging-STAGING SMART NSOLD (STAGING SMART N SOLD)

Yes great point, after all, garage is for sale as well, not just the house! Buyers need to be able to see how they can fit their stuff and cars into the garage of the home.

cheers,

Cindy

04/07/2008 12:01 PM

by Cindy Lin @ Staged4more, ASPM, IAHSP, IRIS (Staged4more Home Staging & Redesigns)

Organized garages are great to reflect owner's pride not just for interior space but also exterior. But I feel some times instead of renting storage space it does not hurt to use your garage as a storage space as long as it is organized.

04/07/2008 09:54 PM

by Ritu Desai (Samson Realty)

The problem with using garages for storage space is that it can give the impression that the house is too small and is bulging at the seams. I often go to open houses and not just of the homes I stage. Listening to what comments are made, I have learned a lot about the impressions people take away from a home. Things we might never consider and aren't always valid, but they are still impressions we need to counter. If the house is completely furnished and they see a garage jammed with boxes the comments are often, OMG, look at the junk in here! That's not exactly fair or realistic. Buyers want to see space, particularly if they are moving because they have outgrown their current home.

04/08/2008 01:29 PM

by Pam Faulkner-Faulkner House Redesign Stager-N. VA-Fairfax & Loudoun Co. (Faulkner House Interior Redesign)

This blog does not allow anonymous comments