What's the big deal with staging?

How we live in our homes is very different from how we prepare them for sale . In order for your home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers, it must be presented as clean, clutter-free, warm, inviting and free-flowing.  Sounds easy, but most Sellers don’t know where to begin or are under the assumption that home staging will cost a lot of money.  On the contrary, many times home staging isn't about ADDING things to your home, it's about REMOVING & REARRANGING items that you already own.  Take a look at the sample before and after pictures below:

In both settings, the "before" rooms are functional and are purposed to make the home work for the owners' comfort and convenience.  However, once the decision is made that you are ready to sell, your home's appearance needs to transition from what works for you to what would be most appealing to potential buyers.  Notice how in the "after" rooms, the removal and rearrangement of the contents not only make the rooms look more organized but also make the rooms appear LARGER.  A properly staged home showcases the space, instead of what's in it, so that buyers don't become distracted by the furnishings or clutter.

Studies show and experts agree that staged homes sell quicker than non-staged homes, sometimes 30-50% faster.  When in the competitive Real Estate market, that edge could not only make you more money for your sale but could go a long way to saving your sanity! ;0)


Tune into our next blog - Depersonalization...It's just not about you anymore!