Why hire a professional home stager?

There are lots of simple things homeowners can do on their own to decorate their homes to sell. They can get rid of clutter, repaint, clean or put out fresh flowers. So why hire a home stager?

Many homeowners are unsure of what paint colors to choose or where to move the clutter. The process of selling a home can be completely overwhelming. They often lack real estate knowledge about their local markets and how homes in their price range should look.

A home stager has the ability to look at a home with a fresh pair of eyes. They view the home as a highly critical buyer would see it. Home staging expert Debra Gould provides five examples of how a professional home stager can benefit you:

1. A home stager knows what’s needed to create the right environment quickly and at the lowest cost.
2. A home stager knows what homes in different price ranges look like and what’s selling. They will give homeowners suggestions that their real estate agent may be afraid to offer because the agent does not want to risk losing the listing.
3. A home stager is not emotionally attached to any of the home’s contents, which means that they can see the home in a way that someone who has been living there for years simply cannot. Using their fresh vision, they recommend the optimal way to rearrange existing furniture, art and accessories.
4. A home stager can quickly choose new paint colors, flooring, tiles, countertops or any number of finishes. They have a ready source of painters, cleaners, handymen, off-site storage and a myriad of other services that may be needed on short notice.
5. A home stager can bring in replacement furniture, accessories and art if what is there isn’t appropriate for the home’s target market or the home is empty.

Home staging is not just for multimillion dollar homes. Even for modest homes, staging can have a dramatic effect on the selling price and the number of days spent on the market. For example, one of the homes Gould staged had previously been on the market for months with the best offer being $350,000. She spent 90 minutes with the owner rearranging the furniture, putting items in storage and telling him what needed to be cleaned. He sold the house the following week for $361,000!

How many other (legal) ways can you think of to invest $600 and get an $11,000 return on your investment the following week?

Written by internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, The Staging Diva^®, www.stagingdiva.com. © Copyright Six Elements Inc. Used with permission.

Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould is president of Six Elements and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program with over 4,000 students worldwide. Gould is the author of four home staging guides and offers a Directory of Home Stagers to help homeowners and real estate agents locate home stagers who will decorate homes to sell quickly and for top dollar. To learn more, visit www.stagingdivadirectoryofhomestagers.com

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design provides your local expertise in Alaska home staging, Interior Design and decorating for The Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage. Call (907)-362-0065 today or email us at info@northernlightsstaging.com. Visit us at https://northernlightsstaging.com. 

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When you decide to hire a home stager to decorate your property to sell faster and for more money, you need to make sure you’re investing in the right person. After all, you’re trusting someone with the sale of your largest asset–your home–so you have to be careful to put that trust in an experienced professional.

Having operated a successful home staging business since 2002, and having trained over 4,000 people worldwide about how to become a home stager, Staging Diva^® Debra Gould is well aware of what a homeowner or real estate agent needs to look for when selecting an expert home stager. Here are the five biggest mistakes Gould says that homeowners make when looking for a home staging professional:

1. Focusing on price

The last thing you should be focused on is how much the home stager is charging. Saving a few hundred dollars in fees and getting bad advice will cost you thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. You have a budget in mind, of course, but you stand to make a huge profit from effective home staging. That’s why you should consider hiring a home stager as an investment in the sale of your largest asset. For optimal results, invest in the highest quality stager you can find.

Professional home stagers expect to earn anywhere from $250 to $500 for the initial consultation. Beware of anyone willing to work for significantly less for doing work that you stand to make anywhere from $10,000 to $70,000 in profit from.

Rates will vary depending on your geographic location and the stager’s experience, but you shouldn’t hire someone just because he or she charges a ridiculously low rate. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

2. Looking for credentials

Another common mistake is to look for “credentials,” since none exist in the home staging field. There is no governing body or official organization ruling over the home staging industry. There are no official home staging accreditations or certifications in this completely unlicensed field. The letters you see after some home stagers’ names simply come from a particular home staging training company that pushes them as part of their marketing strategy. Instead of relying on unofficial credentials, look at testimonials from past clients, before and after photos, and real estate knowledge.

3. Hiring someone without looking at a website or portfolio

It is recommended that you work only with home stagers who have a presence on the Web. Because you’re hiring a professional in a visual field, you want to see how they express themselves through their biggest marketing piece: their website. As an alternative to building their own websites, many graduates of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program list their businesses in the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers at www.stagingdivadirectoryofhomestagers.com. These listings are like mini-websites, allowing potential clients to view online portfolios and learn more about home staging businesses in their area.

A professional portfolio full of before and after photos is a must. How else will you know what kind of results you can expect from a real estate stager? Because some companies provide ready-made portfolios to home stagers as part of their training programs, it’s important to ask questions about the photos that are presented as a home stager’s own work. If the stager can’t provide details about the property or you’ve seen the same shots on another stager’s website from the same “school” or training program, this should raise a red flag.

If you can’t find a particular home stager’s website or any online proof of their existence, you have to question how serious they are about their business. Alternatively, if they have a very unprofessional website, you have to wonder whether they’ll be capable of staging your home the way you expect from a professional.

4. Not looking for references or a proven track record

Read through the testimonials you’ll find on most home stagers’ websites. If there are none available (or they only provide initials and not full names), contact the stager and ask if they have any references. You shouldn’t hire someone to stage your property without hearing about others’ experiences with them.

Every stager has to start somewhere. If they haven’t staged a client’s home yet, they should at least be able to tell you about the many homes of their own that they’ve bought, staged and sold, and be able to provide the names of real estate agents they’ve worked with when selling these homes. The idea is to look for practical experience.

5. Neglecting to hire someone with real knowledge of the real estate market

You’re not looking for someone who just knows how to decorate. Make sure the home stager knows the local housing market. A home stager is as much a part of the real estate industry as a real estate agent, and they should have a good grasp of the market they’re in. If a stager doesn’t know how much homes usually sell for and how long they typically sit on the market, you should look for another stager in the area.

Because there isn’t an independent organization or association monitoring whether or not a home stager is operating professionally and providing a high-quality service, it’s buyer beware. If you avoid these five common mistakes as you search for the perfect expert home stager for your needs, you should be pleased with the professional you choose.

Happy “House Stager” Hunting!

Written by internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould, The Staging Diva^®, www.stagingdiva.com. © Copyright Six Elements Inc. Used with permission.

Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould is president of Six Elements and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program with over 4,000 students worldwide. Gould is the author of four home staging guides and offers a Directory of Home Stagers to help homeowners and real estate agents locate home stagers who will decorate homes to sell quickly and for top dollar. To learn more, visit www.stagingdivadirectoryofhomestagers.com

Ready to Sell Your House Faster and For More?

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Would you like to attract your ideal customer and increase your vacation rental income? Whether you have a Bed and Breakfast or other vacation rental, it is important to have your property stand out online to attract the guests you want and make the income you want. Learn more by listening to this interview with Mary Ann Benoit on Seward Public Radio’s “Market Minute” with Nicole Lawrence.

For additional information, see my blog articles on  Increasing your Vacation Rental Income and Bookings with Home Staging and Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase your Bed and Breakfast income with Home Staging.  You may also like my latest article, Time to Up Your Game at Your Vacation Rental.

These five tips can dramatically increase your Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental income and bookings and attract your ideal guests! I used home staging to make a huge difference at my own B&B and at least doubled my income and bookings. Now my branding attracts guests I love to have stay. Report includes video examples.   Download your report now. Price: $4.99.

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Considering selling your 1980’s home? Want to modernize it to attract younger buyers without breaking the bank? It’s crucial to identify updates that yield a return on investment. Consult with your realtor on worthwhile upgrades.

On one home staging project, I revitalized an ’80s home by painting the interior, updating the carpet, lighting, master bath countertop, and some hardware. I swapped out older furniture for trendy rental pieces, added modern art, and introduced vibrant colors.

The outcome? A rejuvenated, contemporary space that resonated with younger families. It sold on its first day at the full asking price! Which version would you choose?

Are You Ready to Stage Your Home?

Let’s get your house looking like one that buyers will love. Call today for a consultation.

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Every initial inquiry about home staging usually begins with, “What’s the cost?”

Likewise, if you offer a service or product, you’ve likely been asked the same.

While the cost of home staging might catch some off guard, it’s essential to consider its value. Thinking it’s “too expensive” is relative. Compared to the price drop on your home? It’s a wise investment!

“Home staging is more expensive than I expected.” More expensive compared to what? Not your first price reduction. 

I completely understand the instinct to seek the best deal possible. A recent client expressed that the staging costs exceeded her expectations, but she chose to proceed. She recalled instances where investing a bit more yielded significant returns and satisfaction.

She’s insightful! She hoped for a specific selling price, yet a realtor confided that, given its present state, her home might fall short by $20K. Homes that don’t outshine the competition often linger on the market, frequently leading to reductions of around $10K. This protraction not only causes stress but also escalates costs, including mortgages and utilities.

The outcome? After staging, her home attracted two offers above the asking price within a day and 15 offers in a week, finally selling at a price $30K beyond her initial expectation!

Her investment in staging yielded a return 30 times its cost. Rather than potentially losing $20K, she sold rapidly, netting an extra $30K. So, is staging an expense you can overlook?

Consider another scenario: After staging a client’s home, it was snapped up on its very first day on the market at the full asking price. Although they didn’t secure an amount above their initial price due to maintenance and repair needs, the swift sale spared them the hassle of countless showings and the stress associated with it. Moreover, they saved a considerable sum on monthly maintenance costs.

“Home staging is too expensive. That belief is going to cost you.”

In another case, I staged a home that had been on the market several years without selling. In the beginning, the owner did not want to spend money on staging and tried to sell it vacant. No luck. They had numerous price reductions. After a year or more they decided to stage with a lower priced staging service that did minimal staging in some of the rooms. No luck. Finally, two years later they contacted me. After doing a professional staging job, the house sold in 6 weeks. That was actually very fast considering the home had been on the market for years and had the stigma of “what is wrong with that house that it has not sold yet”. Think of all the money and time this seller lost in trying to save a little on home staging costs.

How much are you prepared to shave off your sales price for a cut-rate staging service, or by skipping staging altogether?

Is the immediate savings on staging worth the potential loss in your final sale price? What truly matters: a short-term saving or a quicker, more profitable sale in the long run?

Ready to drop your expensive belief?

Get your online home staging consultation or staging service today. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.

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Interested in becoming a home stager? I recommend the Staging Diva Home Staging Training program!

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Ready to put your home on the market? Assemble a top-notch team to ensure a smooth and profitable sale. Your squad should include an expert home stager, a skilled real estate photographer, and a Realtor who excels in marketing and truly champions your interests.

Wondering how to pick the perfect team? Begin with your home stager. I recommend taking the initiative as a seller to make this selection. Choose the best in the business! For insights on why this matters, check out my blog post titled Why Hire a Professional Home Stager to find out more.

Considering selling your home? Proper home staging can significantly boost your final asking price. In fact, effective staging not only recovers its cost but often yields a profit! Additionally, you might be eligible to deduct staging expenses as advertising costs from your home sale taxes.

However, a word of caution: avoid Realtors offering staging services unless they’re professionally trained. Ineffective staging won’t produce the desired effect. An exceptional Realtor will likely suggest, and perhaps even cover, the cost of a professional home staging consultation.

Exercise caution if your Realtor offers to choose and fund the staging. While it sounds enticing and can lure clients, many just opt for the most affordable stager. Some might even inflate this cost for you. Remember, cheaper options can result in an unappealing presentation, leading to prolonged market time, several price cuts, and mounting monthly expenses.

Often, Realtors request “light staging” or “minor fluffing,” a minimalistic approach to make a property appear staged on a budget. This strategy, which might involve sparse furniture or sporadic décor, isn’t effective. Instead of a charming home, it renders the property peculiar both online and offline.

Your best bet? Personally hire a top-tier stager. This investment, done correctly, offers maximum returns.

For tips on hiring the best home stager, refer to my article, “Five Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Home Stager. 

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Secure your online or in-person home staging consultation or service today. Click the images for more information. For comprehensive staging services, please call for a custom quote.

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There Will Only Ever Be One of You

There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?

One thing I have learned over the last year is that there is a reason I am here. That is to do what I am meant to do in my unique way, because no one else can do it like me.  

It is funny. I was doing a home staging job the other day and the client asked what made me special. It effortlessly came out of my mouth, “Because I am the only one in the universe that can do things uniquely as I do them. I am what makes me special”.

This was not meant to toot my own horn. It just is the way of the world for all of us.

It is just that some of us recognize and celebrate it, and others are still learning the lesson.

We owe it to the universe and those around us to be our authentic selves. Otherwise, we are depriving others of what we were meant to give them as we try to fit in and be someone else instead.

In many ways, this last year was the best year of my life.

Yes, really.

Why? Because it was a year of learning and transformation.

Instead of dwelling on all that was wrong in the world, I decided to learn and grow and make the most of the time I unexpectedly had.

Times were hard in many ways, but I also learned how to deal with those hard times in a different way.

As things are getting back to normal in some ways, I feel differently.

It is like I am in the eye of the storm where all is calm while everything around me seems chaotic as others are trying to get back to “normal” Maybe “normal” wasn’t so great. Is that the place you want to go?

I feel the way I do is because of a program I went through and continue to do, called TCP (Transformational Coaching Program). The program helps you transform from the inside out, and helps you to BE the person you want to be, so you can DO the things you need to HAVE the life you were meant to have.

It helps you get in alignment with what makes you unique and why it matters.

Are you intrigued? Is the little voice in the back of your mind saying “I don’t have time or money for that right now” because you are busy DOING all the things you think are important?

Believe me, I get it. I am the ultimate DOER. I felt the same way.

 I took the program anyway, and am so glad I did.

It is easy to go on for years without changing our lives for the better. For me it was always the struggle between the short-term pain versus the long-term gain. You can always convince yourself you will start tomorrow.

Imagine yourself thinner, healthier, happier, wealthier, and more peaceful. Living a life filled with abundance without worrying all the time about money or accomplishing all the things. If you were fully convinced it would work for you, you would do it, wouldn’t you?

There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?

Get Aligned With Who You Were Meant to BE

I joined TCP to increase my income for my Interior Design/Home Staging business.

Although my focus was business, the program instead provided incredible value to my health and well-being.

I changed my habits and lost weight and quit smoking. I started to make self care my priority. I stopped DOING my way through life and learned how to BE the person I want to be. I released a lot of stress and anger and learned how to do things differently. I noticed a huge difference in my feeling of peace and well being.

I then took a TCP business class which helped me become more aware and aligned with what makes me unique and how to make that the focus of my business. This shaped my philosophy of “Aligned Design”, which aligns art, science and energy to create your perfect space.  

Even though this business class was all about making more income for my business, the more I learned, the less important money became to me and the more important creating expansion in others lives and being of service became. Ultimately, that increased my business and income, and I was more aligned with what I was meant to be doing so was having more fun!

The programs are run by Jim Fortin and his amazing team of coaches. It includes a private Facebook group where there is onoing coaching and community, weekly content such as workbooks, videos and audios with homework, followed by weekly Facebook lives with Jim and the coaches on a wide variety of topics from health to business. We worked on things like clarity, vision, sub-conscious values, habits, self-integrity, responsibility, commitment, choices, relationships You could also ask for coaching on any topic in the FB group or do a “hot seat” on one of the live calls. The community of people in the group from all over the world is extremely positive and supportive.  

Try it for Yourself

Are you ready for a change?

Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may get paid a small amount for referring you at no additional cost to you.

Get on the Waitlist for the next TCP Program. I think this is the best training I have ever invested in. It made a huge difference for me. I hope it can make a difference for you too.

Check out Jim Fortin’s Podcast. This is how I started and it’s free.

Listen to this podcast episode- Why Your Bad Habits are So Hard To Break. This one really helped me to change some of my eating habits and lose weight, even before joining the program.

This is a great episode too. How the Law of Attraction Repels Money and Abundance you Want.

Listen to the Master Thought Formula, which is amazing!

Create Your Perfect Space to Support Your Journey

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Selling your home? It can be very stressful. Or not.

Regardless of the circumstances, these tips can make selling your home a reason to celebrate rather than a reason to get stressed out.

It doesn’t matter if it is a buyers market or a seller’s market.

It doesn’t matter if you are moving because it is a great opportunity or because you are being forced to.

Selling doesn’t have to be stressful.

Who wants to be ready at a moment’s notice to leave a let a realtor show the house to total strangers?

Who wants to lay awake at night wondering how long it will take, if you will get the price you want or have to take a lot of price reductions?

Who want’s to keep things clean and put away, ALWAYS.

I know, the cat just threw up a fur ball, there are toys everywhere and you have other things to worry about.

https://northernlightsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Copy-of-What-is-your-Global-Interior-Design-Style_-2.mp4

But guess what? It does not have to be so bad if you have a good plan, a good team to help you and you are prepared before you list. Then, it should be smooth sailing. A fast sale for the price you want is something to celebrate, not stress over.

Tips for a Stress-Free Sale Before You List

Stage It

I am sure you know by now that this is a no-brainer. Invest a little. Make a lot.

A stager can help you with all the rest of these tips as well. The fastest way to reduce stress is to be prepared and sell fast for a great price! Let them handle making the appeal to buyers while you get things packed and ready to move.

De-Clutter and Create Space

Your stager can recommend what things to keep out for staging and what to pack up.

• Get rid of things you don’t use and are not moving to your next home.
• Have a garage sale now, NOT after your house is listed. If you do it after listing it gives buyers the sense you are in a hurry to sell and they may make a lower offer.
• Start packing things up for the move and put them in storage. Do not store it in your garage. That space is a selling point buyers are looking for. Let them see it….not a bunch of boxes.
• Donate the things you don’t want and can’t sell to charity.

Create Curb Appeal and Outdoor Living Space

Your stager can recommend what things should be done to the exterior and yard to improve curb appeal.

Typically, this involves doing your yard work, trimming, trees and shrubs, putting everything away, a new welcome mat, and some flowers or art near the door.

Create outdoor living spaces with chairs, tables, and a BBQ grill in a beautiful spot in the yard or on the deck to show the possibilities.

Tips for Stress-Free Sale After You List

• For all showings, keep all lights on so it is light and bright
• Open all the curtains and let the light in.
• Keep the toilet seats down
• Turn off the TV
• Make sure all beds are made, toys put away
• Remove evidence of pets.
• Bathrooms should have only clean towels and all personal items should be out of view and stored in baskets.
• Remove your valuables from sight.
• Create baskets or boxes for daily clutter and toys so you have a place to easily
• Let there be Light- Home Staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
• Turn off the TV.
• Open windows for fresh air
• Make sure all dishes are done or in the dishwasher.

These tips should help you sell fast and for more, so you can rest easy, sell without too much stress and move on to your next adventure.

Sell Your House Faster and For More

 

 

 

 

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When you decide to sell your house, of course, you want to make the most money on the sale and sell fast.  My house is my biggest asset. I bet it is for you too. It is important to hire the best person for the job to get the best results.

After all, if you had a brain tumor, would you go to someone who does cosmetic surgery and expect them to get the job done?

If you needed a tooth pulled, would you ask your neighbor? Maybe if they were a dentist.

Invest in the right person. Make sure they are experienced professionals.

Here are some of the common mistakes I see people make when they call about hiring me to stage their home.

1. Look for the Cheapest Price?

Think all stagers are created equally? It’s just decorating, how hard can it be? You can probably do it yourself.  Those beliefs are going to cost you.  Thousands. Maybe tens of thousands.

How much it costs you now is the last thing you should be thinking of. More important is how much your investment will make you when it sells.

Most home stagers will charge $350-$700 for an initial consultation which is usually about 2 hours. They will tell you everything you can do to prepare your house for the market and stage it yourself if that is what you choose to do. If you want them to stage it for you, which I highly recommend, they charge by the hour or a flat rate. Do it. They are trained to know what will get you the fast sale.

When you are looking for a stager, do not just pick the person with the lowest price. Look for someone experienced, with training that has a professional website that shows a great portfolio and testimonials.

After all, if you find a stager who charges half the price of another, but their work does not sell your house fast and for more, you just wasted a lot of money.

2. Allow Yourself to be Fooled by Meaningless Credentials?

Don’t be fooled by titles and credentials. The home staging industry is not regulated. There are no certifications out there that are regulated by the states or federal government. There are some companies that will say you are certified if you pay them money to take their unregulated classes and will give you a certificate. I am not saying they are not good classes, only that the certification really does not mean anything. After all, your neighbor can decide to call themselves a home stager tomorrow, make some business cards, and go into business. But will they get you a fast sale and a great price?

A professional stager should have some training from a reputable school or trainer. They should have experience. Maybe they are someone with a degree in design (although that knowledge is different than what is needed for home staging).

3. Allow Someone Else to Pick Your Home Stager for You?

Has your realtor said they will find a home stager for you? How much do they know about staging? Maybe they can recommend a good stager for you but I would do your own research and make phone calls. I say this because I get calls all the time from realtors for their clients and all they seem to care about is price. That is mistake number one and not helping you.

4. Not Reviewing the Stagers Website, Portfolio and References?

A professional always has a website. And it should look good and highlight their work in a beautiful portfolio. If it doesn’t, how will your house look when it is done? If they don’t have a website, I would not even consider them. No, A Facebook page does not count:)

They should have great testimonials. Many of them.

They should have an online portfolio. When you look at the after pictures, you should think,  “I want to buy that house”!

5. Let Your Friend with “Good Taste” stage it for you?

No, no, no, no. Just say no.

Decorating is not staging. Stagers use decorating as a tool to take what they know about market conditions, your target market, worthwhile changes that will give you a great return on your investment, and more to emotionally connect to buyers.

I am a professional Interior Designer and know that knowledge tells me little about home staging. Luckily, I am also trained as a home stager. That is why I know what a difference there is between them.  It is not about your decorating style or taste, or that of your friends, It is about the buyer. That is a whole different thing.

 

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Of course, you wouldn’t. At least I hope not! When you are selling your home, just like going to an important job interview or getting ready for a first date, you need to make a great first impression. And you don’t have much time to do it. People have a short attention span. It is what it is.

Get ready for the market with these tips to help make a great impression fast.

1. Make the outside look just as inviting as the inside

When you drive up, if things are not neat, clean, and do not look well-cared for then the buyer will imagine the house has not well cared for either.

Imagine you drive up and see children’s toys,  an un-mowed lawn, wild shrubs that have not been trimmed, broken fence posts. Do you want to see the inside?  The thought probably scares you.

Make sure you have great curb appeal.

• Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, rake the leaves, shovel the snow.
• Put away all children’s toys, projects, and yard tools.
• Make the entrance look great with an eye-catching color on the front door, a new welcome mat, and some flowers or art near the door.
• Repair walkways, steps, and railings.
• Make sure garbage cans are not visible.
• Make sure everything is clean and swept. A good pressure washing can really help make things look new.

2. Create Space-Eliminate Excess Stuff

A key thing buyers want is space to put all their stuff.  They do not care to see your stuff. Only envision their stuff. Will their stuff fit, will it look good with the current paint job, and is there enough storage for their copious amounts of stuff.

Your stuff is a distraction. What you keep out for staging should be about highlighting the best features of the home, including the space, for buyers. It is no longer about your stuff. Time to break up with the house.

It is worth going through every closet and cabinet and taking out about 50% of your stuff.

And please, do not put boxes and boxes of your stuff in the garage. Buyers want to see the space you have to offer there as well.

3. Reduce Worry

As soon as a buyer sees an issue….a broken handle, a cabinet door that does not work, a light that won’t turn on, a water spot, a hole in the wall….they wonder what else is wrong with the house and start looking for problems.

The magic spell of emotional connection to their dream home is broken.

Then they start thinking of all the weekends they will spend working on the house instead of enjoying it and how much it will cost to fix, which you can be sure they will imagine being more than it will cost.

Take care of these problems before listing. Fix paint chips, small and large repair problems, peeling paint or wallpaper. Make sure all the electrical outlets have covers and matching ones at that. Take care of leaks, odors, and anything that needs repairing.

4. Let Color Make Money for You

A good coat of paint can go a long way in making things look fresh, new and making a connection with buyers.  There is a balancing act between appealing to the greatest number of buyers and not having the house appear cold or boring.

Color can help you sell for more or turn buyers off. A color expert can help you select colors that will increase your sales price. Don’t just pick a beige or white and call it good. It will cost you.

5. Make the house memorable with art and accessories

There is a fine balance between being neutral enough to highlight the home rather than the objects within it and creating a space that is memorable and interesting enough to make an emotional connection with buyers.

Home stagers are experts at creating this balance. It is very different than decorating or designing for a homeowner. It is all about the buyer.

Strategically placed and carefully selected art and colorful accessories can create focal points in areas you want to highlight and create the magic buyers remember.

Art should be colorful, to scale, and definitely not political, religious, or controversial in any way. So please, forget about the animal heads.

 

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