Special offer

Staging the Art of Distraction - NOT

By
Home Stager with Decorate To Sell - Merrimack Valley Real Estate Staging

lowell condo after

Staging is the Art of Attraction!

When your home goes on the market, it become a product.  It doesn't matter what the price is - it should be Staged properly by a professional Stager.  Many times when a Buyer goes through your home they will see something that might cost $100 to take care of (paint perhaps), but the Buyer will mentally inflate the cost by $100s or even $1000s of Dollars.   Whatever your situation, you do not want to leave money on the table at your closing. 

Staging is the Art of Attraction.  Allowing the Buyer to come into the home and clearly see the features and assets the home has to offer.  

The following Article was sent to me by a fellow Stager, MaryEllen LaFleur of Connecticut who found it on the Boston.com Real Estate website.  It is written by a Buyers Broker and shows exactly why you should Stage your property before it goes on the market.

"Staging the Art of Distraction by Rona Fischman."

"Robert Bruss tells sellers to improve the look of their home before putting it up for sale.  Gee there's a concept!  People would rather buy a clean, bright house instead of a dark, dirty one.  Seems obvious, doesn't it?

"Not so, dear buyers?  The dirty one is likely to be cheaper.  The elbow grease or even industrial cleaners cost less than the inflated price tag on the staged home.

"So buyers, when is a staged house the one you should buy?  When it is the right house.  Just like the dirt and dark can distract you from structural or functional problems, so can beautiful staging.  Whether the house is staged or not, pay attention to what you need and the way you live.  Will this house look as nice with your stuff in it?  Do you need curtains for privacy that are not there now?  Is the bedrom big enough for the two dressers you usse, not just the single one there now.  Do your kids put their toys away every day.

"Sellers, I cannot tell you how many of my buyers walk into a staged house and say "it will never look like that if I lived here."  Too much distraction is bad, whether it is dirt or beauty."

Can you think of a better reason to Stage!  Staging is the Art of Attraction!  

Here's the before!

before dec2sell

Posted by

Margaret Innis
Owner & Principal of Decorate To Sell, LLC
Why be "For Sale" when you can be "Sold!"™
Visit our website www.DecToSell.com

 

Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Margaret, thanks for sharing this article.  I wonder how many realtors in my area think this way.  I also wonder if they really believe this or use it as a way to avoid the cost since many buyers expect staging from their realtors today.  Food for thought.  I think it's time to add this question to my bi-annual survey to local realtors, but I'm not sure that I want to see the results?

 

Jul 11, 2007 04:39 AM
Karen Dembsky
Peachtree Home Staging LLC, Home Staging in Atlanta, GA - Peachtree City, GA
Atlanta Home Staging
Maybe this is a new service us home stagers can offer.  We can either stage and de-clutter, or we can unstage and clutter.  Your pick -- same price!
Jul 11, 2007 05:17 AM
Kim Dillon
Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

Thank you for sharing this article.  Karen, I love your idea--we get paid either way!  I may get stoned for this, but  I think the Realtor has a point.  As a representative for his client, he should help them to see the whole picture--whether it is a diamond in the rough, or a staged jewel.  It is our job to make the home the best it can be.  That doesn't mean it fits everyone's needs, but we show off its potential.  On the other hand, that same Realtor should encourage his listings to be sure their own property starts off with it's best foot forward--and that is staged!

Kim Dillon

Jul 11, 2007 06:02 AM
Pam Turner
Freelance Home Staging - Wilmington, VA

Margaret Ann,

This post has some  of the best information I have ever seen, put in such a concise way that I am convinced that if (we) stagers could get in front of ALL real estate agents and convey everything you said, I am sure we would all have more work than we could do.  Thank you so much for your contribution. 

Pam Ives

 

Jul 20, 2007 06:17 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Margaret, that was a great article.  As well as the way you placed the furniture for a difficult space.  I hate blocking off the windows and natural light and you avoided that.  Thank you for sharing that.
Jul 21, 2007 11:35 PM
Sandra Montemayor
All In One Staging Inc. ( A Home Staged is A Home Sold!) - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging inc - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert
Great article.  I agree 100%.
Jul 22, 2007 03:19 PM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...
 Hi Margaret, after reading this post, the first thing I thought was... what a perfect titled for a book this would be. Or maybe even a free report you could put together as a marketing tool for potential clients, realtors, etc...
Jul 27, 2007 07:20 AM