Property Staging

1. Buyers need to use their imagination to see the potential. Because the rooms are empty, it is often difficult for them to envision how they would look with furniture, décor, rugs, and artwork.

2. Sometimes it is impossible to figure out the purpose of a particular space. If there is a room or area in the home that is even remotely odd, shaped or sized in an unusual manner, or whose purpose is ambiguous, then buyers will be confused and uncertain. Its purpose must be adequately defined, and this is best done visually. In vacant properties, buyers tend to focus on every imperfection.

3. Unless your property is brand new, this is going to be a problem. And the older the house and the more outdated the fixtures, the bigger this problem will be. Filling the property with tasteful furnishings will distract buyers and minimize the impact of these imperfections.

4. An empty house feels cold and bleak. Remember, first impressions count. You want it to be warm and inviting so buyers will have an emotional response and establish a personal connection with the house, just as they do with model homes. Sell the dream.

5. And paradoxically, empty rooms actually seem SMALLER than furnished rooms, leaving buyers to wonder whether their furnishings will even fit. Gauging scale is tricky, and you can still be wrong. Adding furniture and décor in the right proportion solves this immediately.

6. It’s all about the photos! Over 90% of sellers are viewing their next home online but did you know that 85% of those buyers say it’s the photos that are the most important factor when deciding to go view the home. You want your listing to appeal to the broadest range of potential buyers online and home staging will instantly create more attractive photos that drive buyer traffic to the property, knock out the competition and get it sold faster!

Simplify living spaces – Organize & Declutter

Have the seller remove and store unnecessary furnishings to allow better traffic flow in each room. Clear off kitchen countertops and free the bathroom of any personal toiletries which overall will portray a more spacious environment. Organize and declutter shelves, closets and cabinets. Pack away family portraits and other personal items that may portray a seller’s personality so it is easier for a potential buyer to see themselves living in the home.

Think fresh – Clean & Neutralize

The house cannot be too clean especially in the bathrooms. Period! A good cleaning company is wise to recommend to your seller. Remember that buyers may poke into places that casual visitors wouldn’t, so make sure out-of-the-way spots are cleaned too. Keep blinds and curtains open to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, if any of the rooms in the home are painted a deep exotic or bright neon color then it is best to neutralize each room by having walls painted a nice warm color.

Go green – Curb Appeal

The first impression a potential home buyer will have of a house will be of the exterior, so nice curb appeal is important. A fresh coat of paint on the front door, a nicely trimmed lawn, and fresh flowers in a garden or potted plants on the front porch are easy and soothing to the eye. Are those house numbers visible?

Assess repairs – Update & Replace

Do a walk through of the home with the seller and make note of flaws like stains on carpets, holes in walls, loose cabinet knobs, burnt out light bulbs, etc. that can easily be repaired or replaced. Review with the seller that all major appliances as well as the ac/heat, toilets, sinks, w/d, and water heater are in good working order. Don’t forget about the exterior of the home! The more repairs that are taken care of before listing the home the less the buyer will request during the inspection period and the more move-in ready the home.

Go list the home! – Market & Sell

The seller now has a clutter free, clean, attractive and staged listing that shows like a model home and is ready to be listed for sale to “wow” the broadest range of potential buyers. This allows the agent to get the home listed and make a great first impression with agent caravans and open houses. Long gone is the sit-back-and-see-what happens way of selling a house.