Why Stage A Home?

I’m often asked this question. The basic reason is that your home is competing against new construction.

While you may love the large flowered wallpaper installed when your home was built several years ago, the look dates your home.  Just tour model homes and you’ll quickly see that wallpaper is out.  Another example is dining rooms with red walls.  I personally love red walls in dining rooms, but to most buyers it’s a no.  Preparing a home for sale is putting the home’s best foot forward to appeal to the widest range of buyers. Buying a home is an emotional decision. I can tell by buyer’s facial expressions when they’ve found “the one”.  They can visualize themselves living in that home. Buyers usually cannot visualize what some paint can do and they overestimate the cost they face painting, so they just go on to the next home. If a home has neutral colors, they have an easier time imagining their furniture there.

Neither can buyers look past the clutter on kitchen countertops to see the beautiful granite countertops. In bedrooms, clutter makes rooms look smaller. Buyers think to themselves “there’s not enough storage space”.

By now, you’re asking “Isn’t this a lot of work?” Look at it this way. You’re planning to move anyway. Go through each room with 3 types of boxes: one to store until you’re in your new home, another to give to charity and the third for things to throw away.

If the draperies are dated, sometimes it’s better to remove them and only leave the shutters or blinds behind them for a cleaner look.

After de-cluttering each room – clean, clean, clean! Sparkling windows and appliances make a home shine.

Next, to help buyers visualize their own furnishings in “their” new home – start prepping and painting. The home will smell new, fresh and look ready for move in.

Another hint, if you’re one who likes all their toiletries on the counter – buy a small basket to keep those in and put it under the counter after using each morning.

Next, all those family pictures that make it “your” home, pack those now for your new home. As Realtors, we often see buyer clients scrutinize family pictures. You want them spending time falling in love with your home, not commenting on family photos.

Next, all those expensive collectibles need to be packed and stored. You don’t want sticky fingers to walk off with one of your prized possessions or someone to accidentally bump a table to have a precious collectible to fall and break.

Keep in mind; you’re preparing the home to be “shown”.

After the home is de-cluttered, cleaned and painted where needed – you’ve accomplished two things. First, you’re well on your way to be packed for the move and your home is “camera ready” for those professional pictures that will be on the web.

As an Accredited Home Staging Specialist, I know staging works. When I’m showing buyer clients, I immediately know when we walk in the door if the home has been professionally staged. The exciting part is that buyers love it – it’s that “ahhh’ look in their eyes.

Next… staging the outside from curb to the front door.