This is long guys, but it's great...a recent column my HUSBAND wrote. Enjoy.
Top Ten Things You Learn Being Married to a Stager….
My husband, Bryan and I were talking about this week’s column and he came up with a wonderful idea: to write about the top ten things he has learned while being married to a home stager. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
I was joking with Amber that she never writes about what I have learned in my experience of being married to a stager and to my surprise she said, “you write about it.” This was an opportunity I could not pass up. Over the last few years my opinion on what a room should look like has dramatically changed. The days of pushing all the furniture against the wall to give the room more space are long gone. There is no longer a need to keep a mini fridge in the living room and there is such a thing an appropriate paint colors.
So I have came up with a top ten list of things I have learned being married to a home stager. Some are useful tips, some are for the men out there and others are the experiences learned from helping out over the years.
10. Practicality doesn’t always matter.
When I see a room, the first thing that goes through my mind is where does my big screen go. The furniture will take care of itself after I establish the perfect location to watch a Razorback game with my friends. To my amazement, I learned that’s not how you stage a home. However there is one commonality- focal point. The perfect focal point is like the perfect location of the T.V. Furniture should be arranged around the room’s focal point such as a fireplace, window, or great structural feature. Allowing for great conversation with friends or breath taking atmosphere for prospective buyers.
9. What Women Want.
No, I don’t really have the answer to this one but here a few clues. Women want to see a large amount of storage for all the things they purchase on Black Friday. They like to see plenty of counter space for those big family holiday dinners. They want to know where their beauty supplies will go in the bathroom. So, for all you sellers out there, give the ladies what they want. Start by putting in closet organizers. They are usually simple and affordable and buyers love to see the organization possibilities. Next, remove all the counter appliances and anything else that just takes up space. This will allow them to feel like they have room to prepare those stressful meals. Lastly, do a combination of both the previous two in the bathroom. Ladies like to get ready in an organized and open area.
8. What Men Get.
Sorry guys, we usually have little say in the home we “choose” to live in once the choice gets narrowed done the last few. So think of the things you want most and comprise and on everything else. You know the saying “if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Sellers show off your man spaces. Power wash the deck, mow the yard, rake the leaves, clean the smoker, paint the basement and prepare your man space to appeal to all of us out there in need of our own space.
7. Natural vs. Artificial
This is an age-old debate. It’s really doesn’t matter which one we personally like but rather which one makes your home look better. Lighting is key when showing your home. Take the time to play with your lighting and see what looks best during the times you will be showing your home. It is basically the same thing as setting the mood for a date. The difference is, it is your home that is dating the buyers. The best part of that is you don’t have to worry about sweaty palms or if you should call the next day
6. The Right Way is Usually the Most Difficult
Once the furniture is in the house the job has only just begun. It never fails that the most difficult way to set things up or move things around is always the way it looks the best. I used to tell my basketball teams, “ If it was easy, everybody would be good.” The same applies to all of you sellers out there; if it was easy to get your house set up to sell, everyone would want to buy your home.
5. Man Rooms
I love mine there is no doubt about it. However, when it is time to sell your house put your memorabilia away. Show your man room in a very neutral way. Don’t loose the sell because you’re a Texas Longhorn fan here in Razorback country, we hate that annoying burnt orange color. In all seriousness show off the best features of your space and allow all of us to envision ourselves relaxing there after a long day at work.
4. How Far Just a Little Bit is.
It is an inch one way, two inches the other, three inches up, four inches down, all so that it can go back exactly where it started. This aspect of staging has taught me to be a very patient person. Which was needed according to my wife. Everything in your home should show your home off in the best possible way. Take the time to move everything around and back if needed to make sure this goal is accomplished. Bring in a friend with “fresh eyes” to help if needed.
3. Man clutter
We all have it. Tools out of their proper space, rakes and shovels in the corner, left over home improvement materials in the garage, and lets not forget about the lawn equipment. Guys as bad we hate it, we must organize our stuff to sell our homes. It’s not all bad. You can find that tool you thought your brother in law borrowed and never returned. By putting up some hangers for the ladder, shovels and rakes buyers won’t be distracted by the pile in the corner. Clean up the mower and drain the gas can so that people can take a breath of fresh air when looking at your home.
2. Who Needs a Gym?
This is one of my favorites. I have had the pleasure of canceling my gym membership because of our somewhat reliable movers. Moving furniture from house to house can really be a “fun” work out. I have learned that staging materials should be light when possible and now I always go to furniture store when it is time to buy new inventory. For all you potential sellers out there, invest in the move alls if you have hard surfaces, it will save your back and maybe your new china cabinet. Carpet owners tell your friend to come over for dinner and solicit free help.
1. Stagers Get Cranky When You Move Their Stuff
This lesson I learned the hard way. For some reason rotating, rearranging, flipping, turning, moving and touching things once they are in there place is not considered being cute, adorable, helpful, sweet, and defiantly not funny. I am not saying I have done that but I know someone who has. When you get your house ready to sell try to keep everything in place. This will make those last minute drop-ins less stressful to you and your home more attractive to potential buyers.
There you have it. The lessons learned so far by the husband of a stager. I hope you found this column as fun to read as it was to write.
Bryan Langston
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