When you decide to sell your home, you want it to sell quickly, and for the highest price possible. Home Staging is a relatively new idea for residential homes that relies on age old principles.
Builders have been using this technique for several years, staging their model homes, or condominium suites to make it easier for the buyer to imagine themselves living in the space.
Home staged for resale – Family room, kitchen
Today, staging is increasingly viewed by many in a competitive market as a necessary step to take before selling a home. Many home sellers use the services of a professional home stager or real estate agent with staging experience and expertise to help them stage their home before it goes on the market.
Regardless of your budget, there are simple things that can be done to achieve the same effect as with a model home. You want to create a great first impression in buyers’ minds and make them fall in love with your home. Statistics show, that a potential home buyer knows within 30 seconds of seeing a property whether or not they are attracted to it. In some cases, all you may need to do is present what you already have in a different way. Right now your home appeals to your unique taste. To sell it, you need to appeal to the buyer and make it easy for them to imagine themselves living there!
Many techniques are used to stage a property, and with the advice of a professional, some of the things a home owner can begin with themselves, include de-cluttering, depersonalizing; and painting is also, a great way to freshen up any space. In addition, let’s not forget the garden! Improving a homes exterior appeal is also used alongside interior improvements.
OCCUPIED PROPERTIES
The way you live in your home is not necessarily the way you would present it for sale:
- When selling, your house becomes a product, it is no longer about personal taste, but about creating that show home look that appeals to many prospective buyers.
- Staging uses design strategies to maximize space and create flow; in some cases, using your existing furniture and accessories.
- Staging uses lighting, furniture, artwork, and accessory placement that homeowners may not consider in their day to day living.
- Staging techniques are created to allow potential buyers to easily see themselves and their belongings in the space
VACANT PROPERTIES
Staging empty spaces with appropriate furniture gives you a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Viewing empty properties makes it difficult for potential buyers to understand the size of a room without furniture and other objects as reference points.
- Empty rooms allow buyers to focus on negative design details instead of getting a sense of the overall space and the flow of each room.
- In oddly shaped spaces, it can be very hard for buyers to visualize furniture arrangements.
- In much smaller spaces, i.e. 500-750 sq. ft. condos, buyers often have a difficult time visualizing how their furniture will fit.
FOR THOSE WHO LIKE STATISTICS
77% of people view homes first on the Internet
75% of buyers who searched on the Internet went on to view or drive by the homes
79% of sellers are willing to spend up to $5,000 to get their house ready for sale
63% of buyers were willing to pay more money for a house that is move-in ready
58% of buyers are willing to make a decision to buy within seeing 10 properties
(Source: 2005 and 2006 Maritz Research Staging Polls)
Additional Source: Statistics provided by www.urbanpresentations.com
Susan Eickmeier is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage R.E.S. Ltd/Johnston & Daniel Division working in the Central Toronto market. Susan is also a regular contributor to the Muddy York Blog. Susan’s website is located at www.susaneickmeier.com
