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HomeReport
Real Estate & Finance News That Affects Your Home November 2008 - Page 4
How ‘Stagers' Set Up Homes To Sell Faster
 With more homes on the market competing for buyers, there's been more demand than ever for the services of home "stagers" who are trained to maximize a home's appeal to a wide variety of buyers. Barb Schwarz, CEO of StagedHomes.com and a pioneer in the field, believes proper staging can dramatically improve the prospects of a home sale.
The idea of staging, Schwarz told U.S. News & World Report, is to create a look that allows buyers to "mentally move in"--to envision themselves living in the home. Here are six fundamental secrets home stagers rely on:
- Create a well-maintained, inviting exterior. That means rake, mow, weed, power wash, trim and plant. Remove overgrown and dead or dying plants, toys, equipment and yard decorations that may not be to everyone's taste.
- De-clutter. Pare down visible possessions--furniture, knick-knacks, decorations, countertop items--to the bare minimum. Be sure to remove photographs and personal items. De-clutter to the point where rooms feel somewhat empty and traffic flows easily through each living area. Schwarz notes that you're not selling your things; you're selling your space. And that's what buyers need to feel part of. Ultimately, you are simply packing early.
- Balance hard and soft surfaces. Too many hard surfaces--flooring, wood furniture, tile, countertops, shutters, cabinets, etc.--make a space feel heavy. Too many soft surfaces--upholstered items, carpets and rugs, draperies, pillows, throws, linens--create an insubstantial feel.
- Arrange by ones or threes. A single item on a small table top is sufficient, while three complementary items arranged together in a triangle on a larger table or other flat surface add interest. Going beyond three items risks cluttering the look.
- Create views with a room. Doorways are where visitors get their first impression of each room in your home. Make changes to rooms--furniture arrangements, artwork placement, etc.--based on what you see from the door leading in.
- Go for "Q-Tip clean." Schwarz emphasized the need for your home to be immaculate, even to the point of using cotton swabs to clean corners and other hard-to-reach places.
We know of lots of other staging tricks that pump up a home's appeal. Feel free to call us to find out more!
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