This past Sunday I spent some time visiting open houses. On this day there happened to be a nice cluster of properties open in the same area and I anticipated some good conversations concerning what might be helpful from a stager's point of view to get each home more interest and attention. I saw a rather interesting mix as it turned out.
INSTANT STRESS RELIEF .. NO MEDS REQUIRED !
Homeowners who are living in their homes while they are for sale can have a dificult time with the process. Homes are taking longer to sell, and keeping a home in show condition can be tough.
I visited the first home where the Realtor had not yet arrived, but the homeowners were very welcoming. The house was superbly kept with good furniture and loads of art and objects that the owners had collected over many years and were obviously very proud of. As I was taken on a tour, the homeowner confessed to me that it was very dificult for her to keep the house perfectly tidy and ready to be shown on a moments notice. It was wearing her out and causing lots of stress in the family.
It was apparent to me that a lot of the art and collectibles could be packed up and stored away while waiting for the house to sell. The collections and art were very nice, but there was just too much of a good thing. By removing the bulk of the "stuff", the housekeeping could be made a lot simpler and less time consuming AND the editing process would help to reveal each room so buyers could see the HOUSE!
I confess, I was very tempted to roll up my sleeves and go to work with the de-cluttering of this house right then and there! I know what a difference a couple of hours can make! And I have no doubt that the harried homeowner would have a house that not only showed better, but was a whole lot easier to maintain. Instant stress relief!
TAKE ME AWAY !
Next I went to an unoccupied home and introduced myself to the Realtor. She had attempted to stage the home herself, and while she had the basic idea, she had made some mistakes that would not send the desired message to the prospective buyer. She had borrowed some furniture that had definitely seen better days and was quite dated. The living room felt dreary and worn. The dining set was vintage thrift store and was topped with tableware that even our grandmothers would have boxed up long ago.
Buyers never want to feel that they are downgrading. It is a big mistake to stage a house with anything that isn't of appropriate quality. How many potential buyers will enter this house and be immediately disappointed? Outdated or dingy furnishings send the message that the entire home may not be well cared for. While this Realtor was well intentioned, she may be sending potential buyers away unknowingly.
BRRRRRRR.....
My two final visits were unccupied new construction. Both of these homes were in the $500,000 price range and had all of the current bells and whistles. Granite, stainless steel, giant walk in closets, master suites with spa-like bathrooms, etc.. What they lacked was any sense of warmth or individuality. They could have easily been confused with each other. There was nothing to set them apart or make them memorable. They echoed in their emptiness.
While the Realtors both expressed an interest in staging, they knew the owners would balk at the expense. Both of these homes had been lowered in price more than once. Perhaps if these properties were warmed up with the right staging that evoked the charm and warmth of a HOME, they would be remembered and revisited as a prospect for a purchase.
Vacant homes, no matter how new or how nice, send a message of coldness and desperation. These emotions are very real and can negatively affect perception.
PSYCHED !
It is amazing how little it can take to turn a buyer off to a property. As a stager, it is my belief that there are almost always some simple things that can be done to improve any properties potential. Some of these are very straight forward physical changes, and others may have more to do with the emotional perception that is harder to percieve, but just as important.
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