I was recently asked to write a column on 'Staging for Condominiums' and was happy to illustrate just how different staging condos is from a single-family detached home. I hope you find this article of interest and help for those of you who are condo-owners!____________________________________________________________________________________________________
A move is in your future - you've decided to sell your condominium! Get ready, however, because with today's market flooded with a surplus of homes buyers can choose from, preparing your home for sale involves more than just cleaning and tidying your home for buyer visits. It can quite often involve the expert advice of a Professional Home Stager to turn your home from average into a property that will make buyers say, 'I want to live in that house'.
So what exactly is Home Staging and what can it do for you?
Home Staging is a process of merchandising your home's best features using lifestyle selling techniques and targeting a specific buyer model. Your home is probably your largest investment; selling it can be one of the most important and stressful times in your life. The goal of Staging is to help the home-seller pay attention to even the smallest detail which could detract from securing the most home equity. Buyers look for ways to 'chip' away at your equity. If you don't de-clutter, repair or replace particular items in your home now, the buyer will either move on to a more desirable property or make an offer for less than you had hoped.
A recent survey showed 63% of buyers prefer to pay more money for a house that is move-in ready. With all the buzz lately around home improvements and their return on investment, it's no wonder home sellers are turning to professional Homes Stagers to help get the job done. Staged homes sell up to 50% faster and up to 25% higher than homes that are not Staged. A professional Home Stager will dress your home for sale by removing its personality and transforming it into a product that can be marketed for sale.
But it is important to know there is a difference between Staging a detached single-family home and a condominium. Here are just a few of the key areas a professional Home Stager can address and solve for condo-sellers:
First Impressions - Whereas front door and curb appeal can be addressed and improved upon in a detached home, most times little can be done by the homeowner to the exterior of the property in a condominium. Therefore, it is the interior of a condominium where the real presentation takes place. The entranceway in a condo is probably one of the most important aspects as the entrance is more closely tied in with the rest of the condo due to it's often smaller size. A professional Home Stager will maximize this entry impact zone that will make buyers come further into the property to take a closer look
Square Footage - Some condominiums have limited space and therefore careful furniture layout planning is necessary. Not only should every square foot be addressed, but every square inch, as well. For example, a professional Home Stager can envision utilizing a corner nook with a small desk that could also function as a buffet table for entertaining
Traffic Flow - Emphasis on decluttering and organization is paramount when Staging a condominium, as space is often at a premium. However, when those areas are addressed, you then want buyers to move freely throughout your condo. Simple, well-planned furniture arrangement can really define a space into particular living quarters. A simple move of a sofa at an angle can make all the difference at defining a living room from a dining room
Finishing Touches - A more impressive, less distracting look for condos is one with fewer, but larger pieces of art and other accessories. Unfortunately, one of the most common mistakes condo-owners make when furnishing their homes is purchasing furniture that is too large. In general, artwork should be large, furniture small. Oversized furniture may look great on a showroom floor, but it will look out of place and overwhelming in a smaller space
Hiring a trained and certified Home Stager will enhance your condominium's best features and most definitely reduce the time it is on the market. Stagers possess the skills, knowledge and abilities to turn the shell of a house into a vision of a home for someone else to enjoy as much as you did.
Lisa Sawchuk, Certified Professional Stager / Alta Moda Staging and Interior Redesign
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