Home Staging® is the process of preparing your home for sale. The purpose of Staging® is to make your home look like a model home, appealing to as many buyers as possible. It is simply a redesign that will show off your home's best features and minimize any flaws. Staging® is becoming very common these days and a variety of articles can be found in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Money Magazine. Even HGTV and TLC have homes shows dedicated to Staging® with "Designed to Sell" and "Sell This House".
Realtors mention CURB APPEAL frequently when discussing selling your home, so start with the outside first! Curb appeal entices the buyer to get out of the car and into the home. If pride is shown on the outside, the buyers feel like they have been invited to a home where detail is important.
Trim the hedges or shrubs, weed the garden, replaced paint chipped window trims, and wash the windows. From the well-groomed yard with hanging baskets and tiny white lights on a potted cedar, to a clean welcome mat, you enter 'Stage Right' at a sparkling front door!
DECLUTTER rooms or spaces that detract from a clean, visual space. Family photo walls in the hall or den are a lovely display for the homeowner, but arrtact attention that should be directed to the selling features of the home.
Invest in storage containers for kitchen counter clutter or a drawstring bag to keep clothes out of sight. The intent is for the buyer to think that there's no clutter if they live here and they feel relaxed. Homeowners are encouraged to assist the staging specialist with decluttering their homes, as it cuts down on time and labor that could be charged to the homeowner in the process. And remember, simple is best!
Have a BUDGET in mind and prioritize! Will it be cost-effective to replace the tub or kitchen counter, or will a fresh coat of paint suffice?
A $1000 investment could net you thousands in the sale of your home! Baths and kitchens are the key rooms if renovations are needed prior to listing. Clients are amazed at how profound a simple transformation such as paint, new ceramic around the tub, or updated fixtures or valance lighting can be!
GROUPED ITEMS are more effective when they are placed together. For example, if one room has smaller pictures on three walls, hang them in one area as a feature.
Groupings of three or five items work best for designers, so try it yourself with candles on a table or plants in a corner or plants in front of a window or corner. A loveseat and two ottomans coordinate well together or a pyramid of rolled towels accomplishes the desired effect!
ENHANCE the FEATURES of your home to make them focal points. Typically, the fireplace is the architectural focal point in the room. Painting a contrast trim on the mantle makes the result more effective or adding a row of ceramic gives it an updated look.
Two candle wall sconces add flavor or a swivel ceiling potlight and a wall painting will highlight the fireplace. Hallways are generally long and unappealing, but the addition of door trims or a wall niche are inexpensive treatments. Nine foot ceilings can be accentuated with crown mouldings or fresh flowers in a vase on the table becomes a focal point!
REARRANGE FURNITURE arrangements to make them more appealing and less static. Bring major pieces like sofas away from the walls or angle them in corners for interest. This makes the room appear larger and more interesting.
Make groups of conversation areas with furnishings and accessories. Try a chest for a nightstand, or add a comfortable faux throw! Create efficient traffic flow in your home by carefully arranging the furniture away from corners or doorways.
REPAIR PROBLEMS in your home such as leaky faucets or chipped paint on window trims.
Clean your carpets and ensure that furnace filters are replaced or caulking is redone around tubs or tile. Patch and fill cracks or minor dents in walls. Regular maintenance makes a great impression on potential buyers!
BE CREATIVE! Change your darker-toned winter linens and pillows to spring or summer brights or pastels. Mix and match stripes with plaids for a designer look. Replace heavier window treatments with lightweight sheers or put butterfly tiebacks on your daughter's curtain panels.
How about new shower rings or a pallette-inspired feature wall color? The possibilities are endless and not costly to achieve.
CREATE AMBIANCE in your home. Today's buyers want to feel "at home" when they are walking through their new home and buying is an emotional experience.
Appeal to their senses with a freshly-baked pie or cinnamon buns in the oven. Perhaps light a few candles or place fresh potpourri in a bowl or dish to create a special atmosphere. Put on your gas fireplace, turn on the lights and stereo to 'set the stage!' A little effort goes a long way in selling your home and it's the finishing touches that count.
TIDY! A quick vaccuum and removal of unsightly dirt will show potential buyers that you care about the condition of your home and lasting impressions are important.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Houston Association of REALTORS®
