Staging Your Home for Sale – A MUST for Serious Sellers!

I remember when I was first introduced to the concept of home staging. In 2005, the real estate market was beginning to slow, and sellers with homes on the market were beginning to start to wonder why their home didn’t fly off the market like the neighbor’s home did last year. Real estate agents started to talk to sellers about a slowing market, and the need to make their home stand out from the increasing inventory.

Enter the Concept of Staging.

The principles of staging are much different than having a nicely decorated home, that reflects your family’s mix of personalities. I’ve found that many people have a difficult time staging their own home. Admittedly, it is a challenge to put away the school photos, remove the children’s artwork from the refrigerator, pack the treasures brought home from family vacations, take down the wedding photos, etc. I know it feels as if you are packing away your life and personal living space.

Here’s the thing: staging works. If you are serious about selling your home, you must look into staging your home. Staging will help get your home sold more quickly than the competition that just cleaned and packed away a few things. Staging will help your home show more attractively online, where about 90% of homebuyers start their search, thus increasing showings. Staging will not cost you an arm and a leg. One of my favorite home stagers said it best: “The cost of staging will always be less than your first price reduction.” Oh So True! So just do it right the first time!

To better understand why staging is critical, it’s best to understand exactly what staging is. Again, staging is not the same as living in a nice, clean home with personal mementoes, family pictures, and personal items like combs, makeup and tooth brushes exposed. Staging clears the floor space, to open up a room. You may not see end tables if it clutters the room. Oversized furniture may be removed. Staging incorporates highlighting the best parts of a room, such as the fireplace, or the wall of windows. Staging uses the high, medium and low aspect of decorating, incorporating “groupings” with 3 or 5 items. Staging creates warmth and balance.

Successful staging taps into the homebuyer’s emotions, pulling her into the space of the home. You want this buyer focused on the house and imaging herself living here with her family, not looking over your valuables.

Tables are set for dinner. Fresh flowers are on the mantle. Clean, white towels and fresh soap are in the bathroom, and personal grooming items are put away. We know you brush your teeth. We just don’t want to see evidence of it! Fluffy pillows are on the perfectly made bed, and even the laundry room has been cleared of laundry.

I have several stories that I would be glad to share with you about homes that I have listed without staging. Give me a call or send me an email and I’ll share with you the specifics. One thing is the same though about each home: after unsuccessfully trying to sell, the homeowners FINALLY took my advice and contracted with Nancy Buck, owner of It Pays to Stage. After the staging was complete, the homes quickly sold! Nancy and I did a story together on WKRC “Money Alert” on the benefits of staging. The home she was staging went under contract in less than 2 weeks!! Before she could even complete the work! What a testimonial!

Be careful though: Staging will not compensate for a home that is simply overpriced.

Sellers should be cautious to not try to “test the market” once the home has been staged.

Staging does make an amazing difference and should be incorporated into the marketing plan of any Serious Seller. Look at the before and after stories. Read the testimonials, then  – Hire a professional!