Home Staging - It's all About the Presentation!

This past week, I went on several listing appointments.  It seems like everyone realizes that the competition is fierce for the buyers.  It's competitive!  Most sellers realize how market price is derived....but not all.  Too many times sellers will consider a maintenance item an upgrade.  It isn't....it's maintenance.  It's true that a new roof, A/C or heater may bring you a faster sale than your neighbor, but it doesn't always guarantee that you will get more money or that it will appraise significantly higher.  The appraisal.  That will be another topic! 

The home that has been staged will definitely have the advantage over the other homes on the market.  Some of our sellers are quite the decorators and some are not.  The seller that has been slowly making improvements on the home will have much less "to do" at the time of listing. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started....whether you are selling or just want to enjoy your home!

KITCHEN:  Remove all the clutter off your counters....toaster ovens, knives in butcher block, paper towel holders, cordless phones, baby bottles, chip bags, dish drainers, etc.  Everything.  Now look at each item and see if it "earns" a spot back on the counter.  Okay........you can put the coffee pot, but that's the only appliance allowed.  If nothing else "earns" a spot, then we'll start from there.  Purchase a pretty plate with some color on and put it on a pretty easel.  A decorative canister or two is okay, but no Tupperware canisters.  A metal wine rack may be suitable if there is sufficient space.  Try it like that for a few days.  It sure makes it easier to clean.....and if your house is on the market, that's important!

KID ROOMS:  Okay, this is a hard one.  Especially young children's rooms.  So many of their large toys actually take up square footage!  And, those toys routinely spill over into the den, the dining room and sometimes even the master bedroom!  While these toys are really great fun, they "crowd" a home.  Put them in the garage, the attic or other storage facility while your home is on the market.

KID ROOMS:  Stuffed animals and small toys like Barbies, Hot Wheels, Lego's, etc.  Over the door shoe bags are great as well as clear boxes with lids or storage baskets with liners can be placed on the closet shelves.  The pretty baskets with liners even look cute on a bookshelf.  One or two stuffed animals is cute....more than that....put them in storage.

DINING ROOMS:  Set the table with pretty dishes!  You don't have to include silverware.....try pretty plates on chargers, napkins in rings on the plates or bowls will do nicely.  A pretty center arrangements will add some color too!

FIREPLACE:  Several small items do not necessarily add appeal to the fireplace.  One large framed mirror with one or two decorative items on the side is great.  Less is more.

Well, we don't want to give away all our trade secrets!  If you're interested in selling your home and need some additional home staging tips, call us.  This FREE service will help your home sell faster and for more $!

Visit my real estate website at www.PearlandHomes.com

Kathye Warfield