Decorating Articles

"Staging" Your House for a Fast Sale

No matter what the real estate market is doing, homeowners typically have the same goal in mind when selling their house. They are hoping to be moved out of the old house and into their new house fast. It’s a great goal, but what “plan of attack” do they have for getting that home sold as fast as possible?

If you are a homeowner getting ready to sell, or an agent looking for an “edge” over other agents, your first line of strategy ought to be to have the property professionally prepared to sell.  WHAT? Yes, that’s what I said. Professionally prepared to sell. I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz word going around; “staging a home” to sell. Many of us who are interior redesign and home staging specialists like to refer to this service as “Redesign for Real Estate”.  Whatever you call it, the meaning is the same and the goal is the same, to get that home sold quickly for top dollar…whether it is a hot or cold market!

Let’s face it; the competition is stiff out there. Many homes are not selling quite as quickly as they used to. Home prices have risen and so have interest rates. Doesn’t look like it is going to change anytime soon, either. If you are marketing a home to sell, you need that competitive edge. Having a house professionally staged will give you that edge!

Statistics continually prove that professionally prepared homes sell more quickly and for more money.  A relatively modest investment can increase your bottom line dramatically! It is not unusual to be able to reap a profit 10 times (or more) greater than the cost of the actual home staging. Where else can you get a return on your investment like that???

Fundamentally, there are three reasons a home doesn’t sell: Cost, Location and Condition. A professional home stager can’t do much about setting the price. They can’t do much about the location, either. What a professional redesign stager can do is help get that home in tip-top condition!  

Most professionals begin the process with a property evaluation; starting at the front curb working all the way through the house and out to the back fence! No stone is left un-turned and no closet is left un-checked!  Once the evaluation is completed, the homeowner will have the option of a variety of services offered by the home stager. Those services can range from helping with the de-cluttering to filling an empty home with furniture…and everything in between!

The ultimate objective is to make your home appeal to the mass market. Remember, homebuilders have been using this technique successfully for years.  Why shouldn’t your home look like a model home? If it works for them, it will work for you! The fact is any home, regardless of the price or location will show better when staged!

Savvy homeowners and agents know that properly preparing a home is the best way to get it sold for top dollar! So what are you waiting for? Get “SMART”…get staging…and get ready to move…fast!

Here are five “SMART” tips to get you started:

     1) See, Sniff & Sort

• See your property as a prospective buyer would. Use a critical and objective eye. You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression!
• Sniff your space. If they can smell it…you can’t sell it!
• Sort through your stuff. You’re moving anyway, so begin de-cluttering and packing sooner than later!

     2) Make a plan and Make a list

• Move from outdoors-to-in and room-to-room when determining what needs to be done in preparing your home to sell.
• Make a list of things that need repairing or replacing.
• Make a list of things to sell, pack, donate or throw away.
• Make a list of supplies and items you need to execute your plan.

      3) Activate your plan

• Set a realistic timetable to get the various tasks done.
• Enlist help from friends and professionals.
• Hold a garage sale, donate un-sold items and arrange for temporary storage for “overflow” items.

      4) Rearrange & Redesign

• Rearrange furnishings so potential buyers can move freely through the home.
• Remove valuables, religious items, weapons and ashtrays.
• Redesign your home for potential buyers. How you live in your home and how you sell your home are two different things. Remember, you and your family may have to experience a wee bit of “inconvenience” when your house is on the market. But in the long run, it is well worth the effort.

      5) Timing is Everything

• Complete major home preparations before you list with a Realtor.
• Complete the remainder of the preparations before you hold an open house: broker or public.
• Work within a timetable you have created with your stager and agent. Let each team member do their job.

About the author:
Marcia Smart is a nationally recognized Interior Redesigner and author of the witty do-it-yourself book “Decorating by Instinct”. Marcia is an in-demand instructor of professional redesign training and is shaping the future of the industry as the Executive Director of I.R.I.S., Interior Redesign Industry Specialists To learn more about her program and find more FREE tips and articles like these, visit her site at www.smartredesign.com