DO I REALLY NEED TO STAGE MY WESTHAVEN HOME?

Make Your Westhaven Home Open-House Ready

Staging a Home Makes the Difference

Why do successful sellers spend the time, effort and sometimes dollars to stage their home? A staged home can make the difference in getting top dollar and selling more quickly! This is even true in neighborhoods like Westhaven where homes often sell almost as soon as they come on the market.

Buyers are looking for that emotional connection when searching for a home. We are all emotional shoppers and often willing to spend above our pre-determined limit for something that has that emotional connection. Staging rarely requires spending loads of money, unless your home has been somewhat neglected and is in need of repair.

Color Palette

Dark tan and gold paint colors used to be all the rage. The same is true of the darker kitchen backsplash, black or brown kitchen granite, sandy color bathroom tile and cultured marble counters.

If this describes your home, you may wonder what steps do I take to update my home?

1

Paint, paint, paint! Lightening the walls is one way to get the best bang for your buck. Can you believe soft white walls are now all the rage?

2

De-clutter by storing some furniture. If your furniture is dated, slip covers can also be a good idea. Maybe a trip to Ikea is in order.

3

Take down all your family photos, heavy paintings and mirrors that require large nails, and remove all but a few nice tchotchkes off your mantle and shelves. Remember, less is more.

4

Have your carpets cleaned and remove rugs that aren’t calming. Remember, you aren’t decorating for yourself – you are staging to get top dollar.

Outdoor staging

You’ve heard the term curb appeal. It’s true; folks make their second impression as they pull up to the curb. (The first impression was probably online when they saw photos of your home).

To boost your curb appeal, fix the items you can. Paint exterior wood that is chipping, trim overgrown plants/trees, add bright colored plants and fresh mulch, replace or clean exterior light fixtures, replace worn outdoor seat cushions and power wash your sidewalk and walkway

What if Your Home is Empty?

What do you do if you’ve already moved and your home is empty? Have it staged. Staging companies come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. Believe me, it’s well worth the small investment to add furniture to your empty home. I’ve heard that in a home sale an empty home is ‘the kiss of death’. Buyers see empty and somewhere in their subconscious think, let’s get a deal because the seller must be desperate to sell!

The most important rooms to minimally stage:

Living room

Breakfast room

Dining room

not always necessary

Master bedroom

including inviting bedding

Don’t forget towels in the master bath

So, what’s left?

Use light or white bedding, light or white towels (used only for photos and when buyers come) and remove all clutter – even the cute things – off of kitchen counters, bathroom counters, bathtub corners, and showers. Hide those trash cans, even the fun ones.

Buyers are looking for a home that feels new and will happily buy a resale home if the home has been updated. Take an afternoon and visit several new construction models. You’ll come away giddy and understand what today’s buyers are looking for.

Finally, fill your home with fresh flowers and a welcome mat at the front door. Now your home says “welcome” and is ready for buyers to come calling!