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Home Staging Tips...Don’t Make Them Guess

By
Home Stager

Home Staging Tips...Don’t Make Them Guess

 

No matter the market conditions, buyers want to see what they are buying. As they walk into each room, they are envisioning themselves living there…preparing breakfast for the family in the kitchen…movie nights in the den…and retiring at the end of a hard day in their bedroom. 

 

 

Years ago I consulted on a luxury high-rise condo on the Intracoastal Waterway. 

 

The listing agent and I walked through the 3 bedroom condo. When we reached the last bedroom, I was puzzled. “Where is the primary bedroom???”

 

What I saw had a double bed on one wall and built-in desks opposite it. It could have been for a young student.

 

The agent and I agreed that the built-ins needed to go! Our budget from the client though meant that we had to limit some of the furnishings. But it was more important to show the room as the retreat from the day that people want.

The condo had a separate office so even in a work-from-home situation, there was adequate space for a desk, chair, bookcases, etc. for a student or the primary owner. 

 

The AFTER…


 

Rooms that are too taste or design-specific can distract buyers from seeing the space and how they could live in it. 

 

Speak with your agent or home stager when you are planning to sell your home. Maximize the investment you already have in your home by showing your seller the home they are looking for. 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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for Houston & Harris Counties
and
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Comments(31)

Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Especially now that many areas are hitting their peak, staging will be crucial in the next few years

May 24, 2022 08:49 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy and I can use all the tips you have on this subject and thank you for the great information to share with us here in the Rain.  Make it a great day!

May 24, 2022 09:10 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

A great before and after to illustrate your point, Kathy!

May 24, 2022 12:34 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

You must have a huge tip jar with all the great advice you give Kathy. Thank you for always sharing 😃.

 

May 24, 2022 01:27 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy have an eye for what needs to be done in presenting a house or condo FAR better than I do!!!

May 24, 2022 03:10 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Excellent points Kathy!  Often times sellers don't see what we see and how buyers will react to a room or how it's decorated.  Just a few simple changes (or more) and les viola! Ready to show and sell.

May 24, 2022 03:16 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Sham Reddy CRS and thank you. Great seeing you at the Zoom meeting. 

Roy Kelley you are very welcome. 

That's it, exactly Wayne Martin  We're used to seeing how we live every day and overlook what others will find distracting. 

May 24, 2022 05:05 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Liz and Bill Spear Thanks for stopping by. I consulted on the home of an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in hands. He had bookcases in the family room with hands everywhere and there was a display case in the dining room with...you guessed it..hands!

May 24, 2022 05:08 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kat Palmiotti Had the larger bathroom and walk-in closet not been connected to the room, I would not have had a clue. 

Nina Hollander, Broker I know that you've seen just as I have the main bedrooms full of work, craft projects, exercise equipment...so distracting. 

May 24, 2022 05:11 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Brian England Staging is another marketing tool that an agent and seller can use. 

Ray Henson not everyone wants to move into a home and have to fix it up and if they do, the price will reflect that. I'm happy that the sellers had the funds to do this. 

May 24, 2022 05:13 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Grant Schneider no kidding. Not everyone can see that there really is a nice bedroom behind that desk. 

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 oh yes, I've seen that too. 

May 24, 2022 05:16 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Joan Cox at least she recognizes the need to edit what she has. 


Rocky Dickerson very good point. One home I consulted on had turned their dining room into a bedroom. 

May 24, 2022 05:18 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Will Hamm Thank you! It was fun seeing you today on ZOOM.


Thanks Sharon Tara I love to see transformations of occupied homes. 

May 24, 2022 05:20 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS wish I did!!!!!


George Souto not always but when I'm stumped I call Sharon Tara 

May 24, 2022 05:21 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

That's right Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker Often it doesn't take much, especially when you consider the ROI. 

May 24, 2022 05:22 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

Your opening paragraph says it all, as do the photos. Sellers need to remember they are marketing a house, not THEIR home.

Jeff

May 24, 2022 08:58 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy loved the post and the analogy, sadly most buyers have no vision and this post illustrates it perfectly why, Endre

May 24, 2022 10:34 PM
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May 25, 2022 05:39 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

That was a great transformation and good advice for sellers. Make it easy for them.

May 25, 2022 09:43 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy,

Just reading your post shows why you are so good at what you do.  Your clients were and are so lucky to have you consult for them.  Everything you stated makes perfect sense.

May 25, 2022 11:42 AM