The Importance of Setting the Scene: Staging a Home for Sale The booming real estate market of 2006 has reached a cooling off point for most places around the United States, and for some it has gone cold. Now, more than ever, staging a home for sale can be the most important thing a seller can do. By following a few tips from the experts, a seller can increase the value of their house as well as reduce the length of time it is on the market. Staging a home can mean the difference of thousands of dollars. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will for an average of 17 percent higher than an un-staged home. That means a house listed at $250,000 can see an increase of close to $43,000. And those who spent approximately $500 on staging increased their home’s value by an average of $1,715. Since most homeowners have difficulty seeing their house objectively, it may be beneficial to request help from friends, a realtor, or a staging professional. Preparing the house for a showing can be a time consuming process, and research shows that the longer a house stays on the market the lower the selling price will be. Staging a house can mean the difference between weeks or months on the market. The New York Village Voice reported that the average number of days an un-staged home is on the market is 30.9 versus 13.9 for a staged home. Increase Curb Appeal: The buyer’s first impression starts here -Look for chipped paint, especially around the doors and trim, and touch up where needed. -Always keep the yard mowed and edged. -Add touches of color with plants and flowers, and keep garden areas manicured. -Rent a power washer and clean surfaces like brick, siding, sidewalks, and driveways. -Clear spider webs from entry ways, and make sure there is plenty of light. Kitchens: The heart of a house -De-clutter counter tops; find a cabinet to hide appliances and everyday items. -Keep cabinets organized to make them look as large as possible. -Remove personal items from the refrigerator, like drawings and pictures. -Consider updating a few appliances; this can add a lot of value to the home. -Make sure there is plenty of light. -Clean all surfaces including grout, sinks, corners, and floors. Living Rooms: Help the buyer picture their family here -Consider the flow of the room and arrange furniture in a way that is functional and inviting. If you have too much furniture you may want to consider renting a storage space. -Remove pictures and personal items. -Bring the outside in by adding a plant or fresh flowers. -Bring attention to wood floors by polishing them, and rent a steam cleaner to make the carpet look as new as possible. Bathrooms: Clean should be the first thing on the buyers mind -Clean all surfaces, especially grout. -De-clutter cabinets making them look as large as possible. Consider buying organizers to hide personal products. -Replace old faucets and fixtures. This can be a relatively inexpensive way to update the room. -Always neutralize bathroom smells before a buyer arrives. -Add coordinating towels and bathmats to detract from dated counter tops and tile. -Replace light bulbs to brighten the sink area. Bedrooms: Should be uncluttered and relaxing -Organize the bedroom by arranging furniture in a way that makes the room seem comfortable and spacious. Remove unnecessary furniture items and store them in a storage unit. -Make the bed look like it is in a hotel. Linens should be coordinating and clean. -Remove pictures and personal items. -Store unnecessary closet items to make closets appear as large as possible. Make sure closets have plenty of light. -Consider repainting the room to a neutral tone if the color is bright. Staging a home may be one of the most important things a seller can do for their home. Following the staging tips above can help ease the stress of selling a home, increase the homes value, and shorten the time on the market.
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