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The First Step To Guarantee Your Home Is In Its Best Conditon To Sell

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

Home Staging is still a mystery to many people. Even real estate agents don't all fully understand what it is I provide as a service. 

To some people home staging is all smoke and mirrors... a form of distraction.

Some misinformed people even think of it as deception. They think it's about covering up defects and tricking people into buying a house through the use of pretty shiny objects.

Yes, professional Home Stagers prepare each room to highlight the positive features and minimize the negative.

But a true professional will never intentionally hide a serious defect in the home.

If there is a huge stain on the carpet I do not recommend placing a chair over it. I recommend replacing the carpet.

If there is a leak in the roof, I do not recommend painting the water stains on the ceiling without first fixing the roof.

Home Staging is about improving the appearance of a house. (cleaning, organizing, furniture placement, decorative accessories)

Home Staging is about clearly defining the space and function of each room.

Home Staging is about showing potential and increasing perceived value.

A Home Stager's goal is to increase both visual and emotional appeal.

 

Selling a house is no different than selling any other product....

The three most important factors are price, condition and marketing.

 

Professional Home Staging is about condition.

Condition will effect your price.

Condition will effect your marketing photos.

 

The first step to guarantee your house is in its best conditon to sell is meeting with a professional home stager PRIOR to listing!

 

 

Comments(29)

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Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I like what you said about showing the space to its full potential. Yes that is what staging is.

Jul 08, 2016 12:17 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Sharon, staging is so important and it requires a professional. I like that you point out what it's purpose is, you're right that many don't understand what staging really is. 

Jul 08, 2016 01:12 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Very well written post my friend, home staging shouldn't be to hide anything, but it should enhance the look of what already looks great.

Jul 08, 2016 01:13 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sharon,

You know I agree with you.  One of our agent clients recently had a home staged, popcorn ceiling scraped, carpet shampooed, and professionally photographed, etc.  They knew that the home would sell the next day after the open houses! Some agents told them, why do all that work?  Their reply was, "this home represents how we do things, regardless of whether it sells the next day or not!"  A

Jul 08, 2016 01:27 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good Morning Sharon - you can work your magic but only if the homeowner has done the required maintenance.

Jul 08, 2016 02:01 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Great post Sharon. I like to say first things first, get the home in as good as shape as possible and then stage it before professional photos and then price it right. If sellers listen they  are much happier with their ROI. If they don't, there is likely going to be some bumps along the way.

 

                                    Featured in the Bananatude Group!

 

Jul 08, 2016 02:19 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Sharon -- you have perfectly set the stage with the reasons that presentation matters but the basics of the home sale remain the foundation to a successful transaction.  

Jul 08, 2016 04:53 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sheri Sperry - MCNE  Oh sure someone with the initials SS would come up with two S's. LOL  

Debbie Reynolds Buyers shouldn't have to imagine the potential...it should be clear! Show them the possibilities and the happy future that awaits them!

Amanda S. Davidson  Thank you!  I'm always trying to help sellers and agents appreciate the value of staging by explaining it's purpose and it's advantages.

Brian England  And especially the "doesn't look so great" areas too!

Ron and Alexandra Seigel  I'm surprised more agents don't share that attitude. I would be very selective at the homes I would list if I were an agent. I wouldn't want to be associated with anything less than SHOW ready homes!

 

Jul 08, 2016 07:09 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Grant Schneider  Exactly. And sometimes there is only money in the budget for one or the other. I would always recommend doing the maintenance!

Anna Banana Kruchten  That is the fastest way to a successful sale. The sellers who choose their agent wisely and follow that kind of advice won't be disappointed!

Thank you so much for the feature!

Michael Jacobs Absolutely! I happen to believe that presentation (strategic marketing) is one of those basics.

Jul 08, 2016 07:14 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON

Well said Sharon! We do not hide things. We encourage our clients to deal with the problem and then sell. If they can't do the repair then they disclose to the buyer.

Jul 08, 2016 09:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Janice Ankrett  I've had sellers tell me that their agent suggested hiding flaws....it puts me in an awkward position. I'm sure you have too.

Jul 08, 2016 10:52 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Sharon Tara,

So well said! I'm a firm believer and echo Ron and Alexandra Seigel 's comments..it's how I roll to be sure.

Jul 08, 2016 01:10 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Image does a lot when you're trying to sell your home. When you see something good, it makes you feel good as well. Excellent reminders! Sellers should read this before they put their homes on the market.

Jul 08, 2016 03:58 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Staging is beyond me.  I've recommended it to several clients, sadly no-one has taken my advice.

Jul 08, 2016 07:24 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dorie Dillard  You've sung the praises of staging many times and I know you have an amazing stager you work with.

Endre Barath, Jr.  Hopefully someday I will have the opportunity to visit Beverly Hills! Sounds like you know quite a bit....thank you!!

Nestor & Katerina Gasset  Exactly!  Thank you for commenting!

 

Jul 08, 2016 10:32 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

James Dray That's frustrating!

Here is a link to a page on my website. You can see an example of what I suggest agents say to suggest staging to their clients. Of course, you need a stager to recommend to them. Telling them to find a home stager won't work. If you don't know of a home stager to work with, finding one would be the first step.

Jul 08, 2016 10:35 PM
James Dray

You said a mouthful

Jul 08, 2016 10:50 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon - yes, well said.  Staging isn't just about bringing in furniture and accessories.  It's helping the seller show "the potential of the space."

Jul 09, 2016 06:03 AM
Sharon Tara

Showing buyers the potential is what we do!

Jul 09, 2016 11:57 AM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Sharon, staging is absolutely vital to make ahouse show well. Yesterday at my daughter's baby shower several of the guests commented that my house looked like it was staged.  What a compliment to me!

Jul 10, 2016 11:58 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Sharon, excellent post on home staging. Staging will bring the buyers!

Jul 11, 2016 04:08 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sybil Campbell  Sounds like you prepared well!  What a compliment!  I'm sure your daughter was very happy and very proud of you too!

Rebecca Gaujot, the Go To Realtor®  Thank you!  It certainly will make for a better impression!

Jul 11, 2016 09:19 AM