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Focal Points Can Impress

By
Home Stager

Focal points are what draws your eye.

They should be positive.

When the buyer arrives at your home the front door should draw their eye. This can be a challenge when the garage is prominent. You need to lead the buyer past the garage to the front door. This can be accomplished by setting out garden beds or planters that lead the buyer. It can also help to paint the front door a more dominant color.

 

 

 

 

 

If there is a fireplace in the room it should be your focal point.

Don't hide it behind your possessions. The fireplace should be the feature that impresses the buyer not the size of your TV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a bedroom the bed is the focal point of the room.

If possible it should be across the room.

The bed should have a hotel/magazine look - inviting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dining table should help the buyer imagine entertaining here.

This is especially important when the dining area is part of the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

Use your focal points to show off how great it would be to live in your home.

During your Staging consult your Stager will help you create focal points that show off the positives of your home.

 

 

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(9)

Denise J. Storm
Re/Max Pinnacle - Durango, CO
Broker Associate - Durango Colorado Mountain Homes

I couldn't agree more, I always ask my clients to shine up door hardware, put a new door mat out and if needed to paint the front door.  After all, first impressions are first impressions.

 

 

May 24, 2010 09:25 AM
Judi Boad
SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE - Scottsdale, AZ

Great tips on how to make a great first impression!

Best regards,

May 24, 2010 09:25 AM
David Obbee
Obbee.com - Agoura Hills, CA

Janice: Great post.  Very simple but highly effective advice.  Thanks for sharing!  :)

May 24, 2010 09:45 AM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Good pointers and yes, it is so important to make the front entrance inviting and attractive.

Sue of Robin and Sue

May 24, 2010 09:56 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Denise, I frequently have to tell buyers to polish brass hardware or replace it.

Thanks Judi and David!

Sue,The front entrance sets the tone.

 

May 24, 2010 10:07 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Janice 

 

Good tips, but can the seller live in the house and stage it too?

 

I suppose they can just grin and bear it for a while.

 

Brian

May 25, 2010 01:03 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Brian, Staging does mean there may be changes for the seller. That can be a good thing because it helps turn the home back into a house for them. It's all part of the separation process we go through when we move.

Things like setting the dining table can be used for pictures and open houses. On a daily basis a nice center piece would suffice. But, things like keeping the house tidy and clean have to be consistent.

May 25, 2010 02:16 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Janice,

All good points, but with some people I think this could present quite a challenge.

Brian

May 26, 2010 02:35 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Yes it can ;). As you said Brian there is a certain amount of 'grin and bear it' involved in selling a home. I think the effort pays off in the end. After all the faster the house sells the less time they have to lead a disrupted lifestyle.

Once the house is sold they can buy their next home freely or if they have already purchased, relax knowing their sold.

May 26, 2010 02:46 AM