Staging to Sell

Shakespeare told us that all of the world is a stage-and so is your home! It's your stage, so when you are ready to sell you want it to perform well. Good "set décor" will increase those "box office" receipts, so consider setting the stage using a few interior design tips.

Have you ever toured a model home? They are always tastefully decorated and furnished, with the intent of boosting a sale. Unlike the models that are staged perfectly, your home probably has that lived-in look. It's been decorated and furnished to suit your lifestyle, taste, and budget. And, whether that means high-style or unintentional shabby chic, there are most likely aspects of your home and furnishings that need a little tweaking to have mass appeal for prospective buyers. This "tweaking" has become an industry in itself. Cable television sports a variety of interior design shows focused on "staging" homes for sale. This process can entail anything from simply reconfiguring your furniture to ripping out overgrown landscaping to breaking through walls. Generally less drastic than all-out renovation, staging is about quick fixes that will increase the seller's bottom line.

For some sellers, staging can mean not only a difference in how smoothly the sale goes or how much they can ask for their home, but also if they get to the closing table at all in an uncertain market. If your home is ho-hum, buyers may not be able to imagine themselves living in it. Worse, if buyers are faced with a list of to-do projects in your home, they may run the other way. The good news is many improvements are inexpensive and easy to accomplish. For some folks, making changes can be gut wrenching, but the goal is to get the property sold!

Secrets of Staging

Curb appeal is a seller's secret weapon. A well-kept yard and spruced up exterior speak volumes about pride of ownership, and signal that this home is in good shape. A spiffy outside brings the buyers inside. Invite them in with a freshly painted front door, a new mat, and well-tended planters. And, don't forget to clean front door hardware-as well as the porch light, house numbers, and mailbox-or updating any of these with something new. Choked gutters, peeling trim, uncollected trash, and an overgrown lawn can be the kiss of death.

Once you get buyers inside, make them want to stay. Successful staging includes decluttering and cleaning your home to get those big bucks. Too much "stuff" or messy rooms can diminish a home's appeal. So, survey your domain with a critical eye and then set the scene.

An abundance of personal items, such as exercise equipment and collectibles, can overcrowd a room, making it seem small. Removing clutter, while maintaining a "homey" atmosphere, allows buyers to imagine their own families living in your house. And, besides overstuffed bookcases or piles of magazines, a cluttered look can also be the result of too much furniture. Pare it down! Less furniture makes a room look bigger. One sofa and a chair or two "floated" (moved away from walls) in the room creates traffic flow, as well as the illusion of space. Positioning furniture to emphasize a fireplace or a terrific view is a plus and may serve to detract from any negative features of a room. It's also good to define the purpose of each room. Arrange the dining room as only a space to have a meal, not as an office or children's play area, too. Arrange that extra bedroom as a den or guest room rather than a place for all of your little-used stuff.

Clean, clean, clean! A sparkling home entices potential buyers. Make your home shine, then light it up. Clean your windows and dress them to allow natural sunlight into your rooms. Rooms that are dark may seem cave-like and are unwelcoming. Also, consider your current lighting fixtures. Besides general overhead lighting, is there provision in the room for task lighting? Lighting can be more than just functional, it can be artistic and decorative. Good lighting, natural or artificial, elevates a person's mood.

So does color, and painting is the cheapest, easiest way to freshen your home and give it a new look. Remember, you are targeting mass appeal, so neutral tones are always a good bet. On the other hand, you may want to present a stylish motif, so consider using something just a little brighter on just one wall. Whatever color or hue you use, tie it in with your furnishings and accents to create a professionally designed look. Then add accessories for personality, but be wary of bringing back clutter. Use items with color, shape, and texture in uneven numbers (three or five optimally) in a unifying theme. Art or family photographs, sparingly and well placed, can warm the space and bring drama. Plants add ambiance, too, so bring some outdoors in. Clippings of branches or twigs in a large vase can add texture or balance to a room, creating structural pieces that don't cost anything.

What Not to Do

In addition to the "DOs" of staging, there are some "DON'Ts." Don't make your house smell "good" with strong artificial scents. Some buyers may be allergic to heavy perfumes. A nice freshly baked cookie smell can be appealing, however. Don't "clean up" by stuffing all of the closets with your belongings. Buyers will most likely peek inside and organized closets seem bigger. Lastly, don't leave unfinished "DIY" jobs for the buyers' honey-do list.Serious buyers notice even little things, such as missing hardware on cabinets and leaky faucets. Investing your time and, if necessary, a little money in those minor repairs can yield big returns and most buyers want a house that is in move-in condition.

Selling your home can be stressful, but these inexpensive or no-cost DOs and DON'Ts will help you set the stage for success. If you're still feeling overwhelmed, or think you lack the "style" gene, call in a local professional stager, who can advise you on what it will take to sell your home. Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes. So, stage your home to take a bow. Then, light the marquee and raise the curtain-Great Home For Sale now playing!