Staging® has become the "in" thing to do in real estate sales. HGTV© spends endless episodes on the subject, and many staging® companies and designers cropping up, as well as many real estate agents marketing themselves as staging® experts. I'm in many houses with prospective buyers, and I can tell you first hand that what starts with good intentions of making a home more appealing, can easily backfire and become a distraction to potential buyers. Staging® is truly an art, one that when done well subconsciously pulls potential buyers in by creating a warmth and feeling of comfort to the space. The idea is not just to show a home "furnished", but to show buyer's its greatest potential.
Some things I've seen recently as an attempt to stage® include a home with lawn chairs brought in to the center of a vacant living room with a plant in between, a large master bedroom with a small, cheap wicker chair in the corner and a shawl thrown over it, a 1950's kitchen with place settings on the countertop in an otherwise empty space. All of these types of "staging" do nothing to enhance the buyer's feeling about the property.
It's important to get back to the main purposes of staging® a home -
1.) Define the space - If there is too much furniture in a room, it makes the room feel smaller and compact. Furniture should be minimized, and arranged in a way that creates flow throughout the house.
2.) Use rooms as they were intended. Maybe you have your office in the dining room, because that works for you, but with potential buyers, it will emphasize that there isn't enough room for them. I had a client last year that converted the large master bedroom into a family room. It worked for them, but buyers couldn't see past it to other possibilities. To this day, I'm confident that home would have sold quickly if the seller had allowed us to convert that room back to its intended use. Dining rooms should be set up as dining rooms, living rooms as living rooms and so on.
3.) Show off the best features of your home - If you have attractive hardwood floors, don't cover them with lots of rugs. If you have a great view from a particular room, highlight that and don't cover it up with large curtains. Remember, buyers are buying your house, not your things. As Barb Schwarz, founder of StagedHomes.com says, "If they can't see it, they won't buy it."
4.) Neutral Colors Rule! - Maybe you love your purple bedroom, but the majority of buyers won't. Painting and flooring are two of the most cost effective improvements you can make prior to putting your home on the market, but keep it simple! Paint colors should be neutral tones, with some contrast between your wall color and trim color a good thing. Also, accent walls with a shade darker tone than the other walls in your room can add depth and interest. Color can and should be added later through accessorizing the space.
5.) Light and Bright - If there's one thing most buyers I've worked with over the years are universally looking for, it is a home that has great natural light. Keep windows unobstructed and curtains and blinds open when you're showing your home. The difference between entering a dark house, and one that is light and bright is unmistakable in the minds of potential buyers
6.) Beware of odors - Staging® is more than just the arranging of the space. It encompasses everything potential buyers experience when viewing a home. If you're thinking of cooking Salmon one night, you may want to reconsider! Is there something causing a musty smell in the bathroom or basement? Buyers will notice, so getting that problem eradicated before going to market is crucial to getting top dollar. Have pets? Potential buyers may not. If it's possible to have them stay with friends or relatives during the sales process, that's ideal, but if not, make the litterbox is in an inconspicuous spot or the yard is picked up daily!
If you're considering staging® and selling your home, consider using an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)©. Lists of ASP realtors® and stagers® are available at www.stagedhomes.com.
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