Timing Your Sale

“What can be done with existing furniture and some inexpensive props to help our home sell?”

This is a common question from sellers.  Staging is the act (and art!) of setting up a home with attractive furnishings and accessories to augment its appeal to buyers.  Professional staging companies bring their expertise and furnishings to help home sellers create an attractive look for prospective buyers.  While I don’t generally recommend sellers stage their own homes, there are plenty of things a seller can do to support the overall presentation of their home.

I like to begin by walking through the home with you to see things from the perspective of a potential buyer.  What would a reasonable buyer expect of the home?  Are there any obstructions or odors that may be a turn-off?  How’s the lighting and flow?

I’ll make note of especially attractive areas and features that can be used to spotlight the property.  Creating an attractive & welcoming environment for a buyer will be our priority!

Some Tips:

Let’s start with the “THREE D’s“… De-clutter, De-Personalize and De-tach!

1)  REMOVE the Clutter!  This is probably the LEAST expensive but MOST important thing for a home seller to do.  Clean & simple living is a core prerequisite for home staging.  Make sure to clean the home thoroughly…don’t forget the windows and closets!  Many aspects of your home will leave a lasting impression for your prospective buyers.  While you’re cleaning, make sure to put away your valuable and fragile belongings.  

2)  Don’t take it personally!  Take down excessive pictures of you, your family and all your life’s experiences.  Buyers want to visualize themselves in the home… not you.  

3)  Try to detach yourself from the home little by little.  I understand this can be especially hard for sellers who have lived in their home for many years, but I’ll help you detach, gently and with a lot of kindness!

Consider CURB APPEAL.  Sellers sometimes spend so much time making the inside look great that they forget about the outside.  Trim the lawn, bushes, and trees.  Clean the roof, siding, and walkways.  Consider turning on your exterior lights to create a “welcome home” feeling.

Is professional staging worth it?  YES!  It’s been my experience that staged listings get more views online and in person, and help a home to sell faster than an un-staged property.  The right staging can draw a buyer’s attention away from perceived negatives in a home.  Modern and colorful pieces can minimize especially small spaces, and clean-line furnishings can make dated spaces appear less so. 

Let’s move on to the last section on properly pricing your home for sale.