Selling your home and staging

According to NAR Research “home staging can help sell a home for more money, can help prospective buyers better visualize themselves in the home and could modestly increase the home’s value for both the buyer and seller." Now that’s a win-win!  

Finding the right stager is like trying on a pair of shoes. Each provides a different style, service and fit. Do you know what key elements to look for in a stager? Some thoughts if you're selling a home that is vacant, would be...

• How current are the design styles? 
• What about design aesthetics, does balance and harmony exist?
• How old is the inventory, does it appeal to a broad audience?
• Does the “staged” home feel sterile and cold or warm and inviting?
• Are they trained in home staging or is this a hobby?

 
These are just a few questions to consider. You're making a big investment in selling your home and you want the right team to be there to help you from your real estate agent to a home stager.

There are other key aspects to improving your home especially if you live in it during the listing period. Pay attention to...

• Keep the front door and entry clean and clutter-free.
• Personal belongings such as shoes, toys, coats, homework, newspapers should be in their proper places such as a closet, book shelf and toy box or storage.
• Litter boxes and other pet related items should be clean, free of odor and kept to one area and out of the main flow of traffic.
• Furnishings should look nice, if your sofa is tattered and stained get a slip cover, same goes for the chairs. If that's not possible, then borrow or rent nicer pieces while your home is on the market. It will make a difference.
• Plants and flowers are they healthy looking or are beyond their lifespan. Throw them out if their past their prime. Have fresh flowers on the dining table.
• Open the windows and let some fresh air in, shake out the rugs.
• Personal photos of the family, take these down as well as any possible controversial artwork that may distract a buyer from looking at the house. They may pay more attention to this than to the real reason they are in your home. It could be very distracting and you've lost an offer.

There are many more areas of the home which will need special attention. Ask yourself if your home says "Welcome Home" or "Stay Away" be honest, does your answer give you hints into the work you need do?  Hiring a trained home stager will know what to look for and how to 'stage' your home to make it approachable and livable for you and your family during the listing period.  It will be worth the investment where your home could sell quickly and even for top dollar.