Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Home Staging

FOXY INTERIORS INCORPORATED SERVING CENTRAL FLORIDA

HOME STAGING. REDESIGN. RENOVATION

Below you will find answers to your FAQ’s about home staging and answers as to why a home stager makes the recommendations they do in a Staging Plan.  Staging is a simple principle based on showcasing your home for sale. 

Why should I re-paint?  I may walk into your house and absolutely love your color choices and will also try to work with them.  However, we’re marketing your home and what appeals to the majority of buyers may be something entirely different.  To capture the attention of most buyers, we’ll recommend you neutralize your paint pallet.

Why did you tell me I needed to do something to my kitchen and/or bathroom cabinets?  Perhaps your kitchen or bathroom appears dated or worn and tired.  Sometimes a simple change of color and changing out drawer handles, knobs will update your home.  Thus, we may suggest a different color for your cabinets and changing cabinet hardware.

My photographs are near and dear to me; they are full of wonderful memories.  Why are you telling me to pack them away?  Art and pictures are very personal in nature and very taste specific.  I will try to work with the art you currently have.  I would suggest though that you pack up your family photos.  When viewing a home, you want the eyes of potential buyers to see the great features of your home.  Personal photos will be a distraction to those great features.

We accumulated many collectibles from all over the world during our travels.  They are great conversation pieces.  Why do you want me to pack them up? Over time we accumulate many wonderful trinkets and things that become very meaningful to us.  Perhaps they were acquired on a special family vacation, or they were received from a loved one.  The items we accumulate though may be considered clutter and clutter eats equity.  These items take up valuable real estate and the goal is to show how roomy your house is to potential buyers.  You also want the conversation with a potential buyer to be about what a terrific house you have, not your belongings.

Why should I remove my carpets? Carpets of the correct dimensions, when used properly in a space, will anchor a room and give it a cohesive look.  When used in abundance though, a potential buyer may question if damage exists in the flooring that you are hiding with all the carpets.  One or possibly two carpets will enhance your valuable real estate. 

My draperies and window toppers match all my décor and provide privacy.  Why would you ask me to take them down or replace them?  Drapes and window treatments can become dusty and dated.  If dark, they may also be blocking out light.  The goal is create a marketable home that is bright and cheery.  It is because of this that their replacement or removal may be suggested in the Staging Plan.

I’m selling my house, not my bed or towels.  Why should I go through the expense of replacing my linens?  If your linens are worn or the color or pattern are overwhelming on a bedspread, they may be distracting to a potential home buyer when viewing your home.  I may suggest different bedding or fluffy new towels.

My home was built in 1975 and has been immaculately kept.  There’s not a spec of dirt in here.  Why should I change anything?  When presenting a home for market, home buyers want move-in ready.  If your home appears outdated, recommendations for updates will be made in the Staging Plan.  Kitchens and bathrooms are especially important and also where you will gain ROI (return on investment).  If you choose not to update, the buyer may negotiate significant price reductions so they will have resources to do the work themselves.

You’re telling me my furniture is too big for the space.  My cat uses my chair as a scratching post.  This furniture is moving with me though.  Why should I care about what a buyer thinks?  When a buyer views a home, they’re going to go on first impressions.  If your furniture is crammed into the space, a buyer is going to feel your house is too small and move onto the next one for sale.  If your furniture is not in great condition, a buyer will think the home isn’t either.

Every room needs a focal point, a purpose and flow.  To learn more about focal points, click on this link.  Flow allows you to move about the room unconstrained and get from one space to the next without obstacles.  Furniture should be to scale to the room.  This simply means you have adequate room to move about the space without bumping into things.  Focal points are what the eye sees first when you walk into a room.  Remember less is more.  You may actually be able to use some furniture that you have.  A professional home stager is well-versed in furniture plan layouts and creating focal points. 

You told me to buy up on baskets.  Why?  Baskets will become your best friend during this time period.  They are a quick way to tidy up your house for a potential buyer viewing.  To make things more manageable while your home is being marketed, you’ll want to begin packing those things that are not used on a daily basis. 

My house was just painted five years ago.  Why are you telling me to pressure wash and paint?  Why should I spend the money on landscaping, or do anything different externally?  The initial view of your home may be on the internet, but when potential buyers show up, you want to make a great first impression…outside.  A cared for outside means chances are good that the inside is also well cared for.

Will you be taking photos of my house? Professional quality photos will be provided to your realtor for the listing of your home.  These are provided as a courtesy to our customers who choose to stage their homes.  Home buyers begin their house hunt on the internet – you want to show them quality so they want to see more.

How much does staging cost?  A verbal consultation for up to 3 hours is $175.  This amount is due at the end of our meeting.  The costs of actual staging depend on the staging package selected and the square footage of your home.  Please call for pricing.

Remember every home is unique and home sales at all price points should seriously consider hiring a professional home stager to prepare the home for sale.  Once repairs have been made, staging is the “icing on the cake.”

For more information about What to Expect in a Home Staging Walk, avail yourself to this blog by clicking on the link.