Staging

Over the last 10 years, “staging” has become part of our real estate vocabulary. Staging your home is preparation for placing it on the market for sale.

The goal of staging is to make the property appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers, which will increase the value and reduces the amount of time it takes to find a Buyer. For some, the analogy of putting your home in its “Sunday Best” may be helpful to describe staging. A house that appears in “mint condition” will always get a premium! Check out a recent staging success from one of our clients.

Staging is a logical marketing extension of the traditional idea of baking chocolate chip cookies to increase the appeal of the property. We focus on improving the property by transforming it into a welcoming, appealing, and attractive product for sale. Staging can

dramatically raise the value of a property by reducing the home's flaws. Preparations can include “depersonalizing,” “decluttering,” cleaning, landscaping and doing renovations. For vacant homes, furniture and accessories are brought in to create a space in which Buyers can imagine themselves living. Properly executed staging will accentuate the attractive features of a home and help minimize the flaws.

True Home Partners are experienced in staging and will work with you to make your property show in its best light. On our initial walk through, we will provide suggestions and resources to begin this critical phase of preparing your property for the market. Note that staging is as important on the inside as it is on the outside of your property or condo building.

Here is a list of suggestions and areas to focus:

Give every room a thorough cleaning and pay special attention to anything that may be causing an odor. This is a great time to clean out your fridge, the litter box and even the diaper pail, if you have one.
Consider interior painting if it has not been done in a long time, especially if there is cracked or peeling paint, or if the colors are not “neutral.” A fresh coat of paint always gives you a positive return on investment. We can provide you with a Color Consultant if needed.
Remove all clutter. Since you will be moving, you may want to get some moving boxes and start packing things that you don’t need on a regular basis. Neatly stack your packed boxes in your basement or attic or consider renting an off-site storage space.
Depersonalize by minimizing personal photos and items stuck to your fridge or bulletin boards. Buyers can get distracted by trying to recognize the Sellers or figuring out if they have common acquaintances or interests.
Organize closets and cabinets so to make it look like there is ample closet and cabinet storage space. Consider packing up “off-season” clothes and kitchen items that are not used very often. Remove all items from kitchen countertops that are not used at least a couple of times per week.
Wash and put away dirty dishes.
Set the dining room or kitchen table if you have particularly nice linen or china.
Clean or replace dirty or worn carpets. If you have wood floors underneath the carpets, it may make sense to remove the carpets and have the floors refinished.
Open all curtains and blinds.
Clean your windows inside and out. Consider using a professional window cleaning company as it is usually less expensive that most people think.
Replace any broken glass on windows and storms. Windows with “failed seals” should be replaced.
Replace any burned out light bulbs and consider updating old fixtures.
Put fresh towels in the bathroom.
Always close the toilet seat cover. Store personal toiletry items inside your medicine cabinet or vanity.
For security reasons, remove all medications and put small valuable items in a safe place.
Televisions should be turned off so as not to create a distraction.
Put pets in cages or make arrangements for them to be off-site when showings and open houses are scheduled. Unfortunately, some Buyers have allergies and this can negatively impact their impression of the property.
On the exterior, keep landscaping trimmed and watered. Plant flowers where possible.
Be sure the front steps and front door are in good condition and in winter, be sure to shovel the walkways.
Organize and purge in your basement and/or storage space. Since you will be moving, try to get as much of this work done before a Buyer is found.
If you are in a condo building, be sure the common hallways and common areas are tidy and clean.