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Home Staging - Why Sellers Can't Do It Alone

By
Home Stager with Becky Fields Home Staging and ReDesign

There's a new trend in the real estate market; Home Staging. Although the concept of Home Staging has been around since the early 1970's, it has become more popular in the past few years thanks to home improvement shows such as HGTV's Designed to Sell, A&E's Sell this House and WE's Take This House and Sell It. These shows tell homeowners how to prepare their home for sale so it appeals to a variety of people, which is important in a buyer's market.

The problem is most homeowners feel after watching these shows they can "stage" their own house. Most homeowners feel if their house is clean and neat, it has been staged. In actuality, Home Staging is more than cleaning and decluttering. Home Staging is the process of preparing a house for sale by creating focal points, eliminating visual distractions and editing and rearranging furniture to showcase the home's architectural selling features.

Most homeowners don't have the knowledge, training or experience to effectively prepare their house for sale.  Homeowners are too emotionally attached to their home and belongings. This is why hiring a professional home staging is a necessity if sellers want to make their house stand out among its competition.
Does your house stand out and make buyers take notice in a positive way?

If your house is not at the top of buyer's list, hire a home stager to show you how to get your house noticed by buyers.

A Home Stager can go into any house and...

  • Create focal points which will direct buyer's eyes to the architectural selling features of your house (beautiful views, high ceilings, fireplaces, etc.)
  • Eliminate or reduce visual distractions allowing buyers to notice the assets of the house and not the contents.
  • Neutralize or remove negative features which turn buyers off.
  • Edit and rearrange furniture so rooms have improved "traffic flow"
  • Advise homeowners on enhancing the exterior property for great curb and landscaping appeal.
  • Recommend simple renovations needed to give the house an updated feel and make the house in move in ready condition.
  • Give the house a style that piques buyer's interest and desire. A house with a neutral pallet and a model home feel will allow any potential buyer to imagine themselves and their belongings in the house.

In today's challenging real estate market , if sellers want their house to be noticed and sell without a price reduction, they should do whatever it takes to make sure their house stands out among their competition. Professional Home Staging is key.

Show All Comments Sort:
Sandi Gerrard
Toronto, ON

Like anything that requires an objective eye, the seller is too close to the problem to really SEE the problem.  They DO need us.

 

May 08, 2007 02:13 PM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Hi Becky.  Apparently the homeowners in our area think they can do it, few respond to our solicitations.  I wholeheartedly agree, they are too close to the subject to be objective and do need us.  Good post!

Terry Haugen- STAGE it RIGHT!

May 08, 2007 02:24 PM
No Longer Available
White Rock, BC

Great Post Becky.  Just today I was looking at a home on MLS, that has just come up for sale on my street. 

You can just tell, the home owner has tried, very hard, I might add to stage her home.  There are little trays of "things"  everywhere, she has more throws draped over chairs, ottomans, beds and sofa's than I have in my whole inventory! 

I won't approach them, as I can see she has tried really hard.  However, it just is not effective, it is a distraction!

It is a lovely home, an will probably sell very easily, the market where I live right now is a little crazy to say the least!

Joelle

May 08, 2007 02:49 PM
Kimberly Uksik
Independent - Pickering, ON
Home Stager - Durham, Toronto, On.

Great Post and you are so right!!  I have had many people lately tell me they don't need to hire me because they can do it themselves.  They watch the shows so they know how.  I always try to be very diplomatic when responding.  As I know somewhere down the line they will be calling me back.  I have had this happen a couple of times.

~Kimberly~

May 08, 2007 10:58 PM
Darlene Raymond
Staged Right - Beverly Hills, FL
I agree, many homesellers I speak with insist they have "staged ' their homes, then invite me in for a look.  I make sure my comments are very neutral ,they have given it their best.  What I have a problem with, is when the agents tell me the sellers have staged their homes...I certainly don't want to  upset the realtor but even after a lengthy explantion of staging, I sometimes get a blank look  and a nod.  
May 08, 2007 11:29 PM
Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
Hey Becky, this was an excellent post!  I just sent you an email about it!
May 09, 2007 04:47 AM
Toronto's 2 Hounds Design: Decorating + Staging
2 Hounds Design + Home Staging - Toronto, ON
Becky, very well written and thought out! Send this off to your local paper to see if they will run it.
May 09, 2007 10:28 AM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

I'm with Dane - I would definitely send this out! 

It's a great post!

Kathy

May 09, 2007 11:01 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
Becky, it is a very good post.Most sellers are proud of the way they have decorated their house and this is a good article for them
May 09, 2007 12:36 PM