Staging Tips for Sellers

Staging is about appealing to a broad range of buyers. It's about creating an image of a lifestyle that buyers can't resist. They need to be able to imagine themselves living in your house.

Staging doesn't require a big budget either. Although, if you have the budget to make your home a showpiece, go for it! In general, though, successful staging means paying attention to the details.

Here are 10 secrets of staging that can help your home sell.

1. Declutter. Clutter can be one of the most distracting aspects of showing a house. Instead of a buyer focusing on the unique architectural details of your room, they focus in on your trinkets and trash. You don't have to toss your decor, just put it away for now.

2. Furniture: Large, oversized furniture can makes rooms look smaller than they are. The converse if true as well. Small furniture in large rooms looks disproportionate.

3. Room true to purpose: You may have your dining room set up as an office or a second bedroom set up as a craft room, but buyers need to see homes true to their purpose. They want to see the formal dining room that was advertised on the MLS. They want to see 2 bedrooms, not one and a craft room.

4. Proper lighting: Good lighting makes everything look better. CFL lights in "daylight" color makes rooms look light and bright even during the evening hours. Be sure all rooms are well lit, including laundry rooms, garages, and closets.

5. Repairs: Most buyers aren't interested in fixer-uppers. They want homes that have been well-maintained. You may have to spend a little time and money to fix broken doors, drawers, and windows. Buyers will notice every loose board and trim piece. Fix it before you start showings!

6. Keep it neutral: It is much easier to imagine putting your mark on a neutral room than it is to imagine yourself living in someone else's Moroccan paradise. Paint is relatively inexpensive. Play it safe and pick out neutral tones.

7. Fresh flowers: It's all about things smelling fresh and clean. Flowers add life and fragrance to a room!

8. Thorough Cleaning: Clean from top to bottom. The basics mean having dishes and laundry done. Deep cleaning means cleaning carpets, removing stains, and scrubbing that bathroom until it sparkles.

9. Staged Dining Area: You can really make a room pop by setting a formal place setting. Outdoor dining spaces also look great set with placemats, chargers, and proper plates and glasses.

10. Hotel Inspired Bedrooms. Boutique hotels do a great job of making bedrooms feel luxurious. You can do the same by updating your bedding and having a liberal use of pillows.

Staging can make your home stand our from your competition. It may mean the difference between selling and not in this tough market.

by Carla Hill

Another Home Sold After Being Staged by Stageworks

The owners of this lovely Jacksonville home were savvy enough to know that staging was necessary if they wanted it to catch the attention of buyers who were searching online. They were living in the home and had great furnishings, but the overall appeal needed a boost. By rearranging, simplifying, brightening and lightening, the house shined above the competition.

And because of their foresight,
they received a contract in only 53 days!

Remember.....your house doesn't have to be vacant in order to benefit from an experienced staging professional. Often a simple rearranging of furnishings will do the trick. If new items are needed for a finished look, the home owner has the new updated items to take along to their new home.

Staging and interior design are completely different. Design is very personal and specific to how a homeowner lives in their space. Home Staging is about depersonalizing your space, while keeping it warm and inviting.

In 2011, staged homes will have a huge advantage over homes that are cluttered and dark. You can't afford NOT to stage in this economic climate.

Ocala, FL Staging Success!

This house was vacant and on the market for almost one year. The owner was frustrated and confused. She kept hearing it was dirty and small and the living room was difficult to furnish. Often a furnished home can seem larger than if it were vacant, which is counter intuitive, but true. The house was in a great neighborhood, but one which had many homes for sale.

We staged the house with transitional furnishings, keeping it simple and stylish. And while EVERY other house in the neighborhood either went into foreclosure or remained on the market, this house SOLD. It took a few more weeks than our average of 37 days, but quite a success in our eyes, as well as, the happy homeowner.

$1,275,000 Home - Contract in 51 Days!

One of our recent staging projects has just received an offer and if all goes as expected, will close in a few weeks.

Look for our upcoming ad in the San Marco Magazine's September Issue


The owners were savvy enough to know that competing with the two homes directly adjacent to theirs would take some smart marketing. So they staged it BEFORE it was listed. Stageworks made the home a standout with simple furnishings, stylish updates and infused it with a sense of balance.

And the cost of staging was far less than what a monthly mortgage payment is for a house in this price range. By selling quickly, they saved thousands in carrying costs and now can move forward with their life. This is why we put that extra effort into all of the details. Happy sellers, happy buyers and money in the Realtor's pocket.

51 DAYS, that's worth celebrating!

I Don't Understand Why More Agents Don't Suggest Staging

Don Tepper of Fairfax, Va. recently answered that question on Trulia.

"I'm an agent in Virginia (and a real estate investor), and my wife is a home stager. So here's a double perspective, at least from the East Coast.

A couple of years ago, agents didn't see the need for stagers because the houses would sell without staging. Sure, the argument was that they'd sell for more, or (except during the peak, when anything would sell instantly) that they'd sell more quickly. But someone who'd bought at, say, $250,000 didn't much care whether that home'd sell for $600,000 or $625,000, or that it'd sell in 15 days rather than 30 days. So, some agents who began their careers then don't have the perspective to understand the benefits of staging.

But today is different. And the agent's mantra is "Price is everything" and "If it's not selling, lower the price." Well, sure, nearly anything will sell at some price. But not all agents (and homeowners) understand that it may be far more economical to stage a home for, say $5,000 than to cut the price by $15,000. That's especially true if the house doesn't show particularly well. It doesn't have to be a dump...and that's what agents don't understand.

In addition, not all agents are willing to be honest with their clients about their homes. You have someone who has lived in a home for 25 years and it's their pride and joy. There are the pictures of their three children on the walls...many of the walls. Plus hubby's diplomas and certificates of achievement. There's the artwork they bought in Peru, and the Chinese wall hangings they acquired over there. They're religious, so there are plenty of framed prayers and pictures on the wall. The last of their kids is at college now, but the kids' rooms were the way they left them--little Sally liked pink, so everything in the one bedroom is pink. Billy was a bit of a rebel and liked black. He wasn't really a goth, but that's the style of his room. The whole house is full of memories. It takes a good agent to talk reality to the owners. Many of them don't have the courage to do so.

I don't disagree with Phil that many clients don't want to pay for the service. Partially, it's because they don't understand the benefits, and their agents haven't informed them of the benefits. ("Well...we could stage it. It'll cost you some money up front and there's no guarantee it'll sell your house. You can do it if you want, but most of my other clients haven't. And, really, price is what's going to sell your house. Now, let's talk about a price readjustment. I can get that into the MLS this evening."

The agents out here who've tried it seem to see the value in it. And I've seen some agents who've taken the courses themselves and actually do a pretty good job themselves. It's not "real" staging, but it does declutter, organize, and better present the house. And I know some investors (rehabbers) who really see the value in staging. They're willing to spend some money to sell a house quickly for top dollar."

We agree, Don!

Recent Staging Project - Virtual Tour

2105 SALT MYRTLE LN, ORANGE PARK, FL

We posted some photos of the Pace Island Residence a few days back, and now the listing is active and the virtual tour of the house is up and running.

This prestigious Pace Island Estate is located in Northeast Florida on the St. Johns River. It has the most spectacular views. In fact, when taking our breaks during staging, we took advantage of the vista once or twice by strolling out onto the private dock. What gorgeous sunsets we have in Florida!


To view the entire house, visit Linda Hurlbert's (Watson Realty Corporation) listing here.

And if you know anyone who is looking for a wonderful Florida home on the water, that is convenient to downtown Jacksonville, the beaches and lots of great schools, museums and shopping, be sure send them a link to the listing.

It's Never Too Late to Stage

When presenting a staging proposal, we find that the biggest obstacle to overcome is convincing sellers that it really will save them money in the end. Considering carrying costs, monthly mortgage payments, insurance, etc., the cost to stage is very small.

Let's say your house is on the market for $300,000 and it hasn't sold in several months. You decide to reduce your price. If you lower you price by only 3%, it would be a $9,000 reduction. Staging cost vary, but a good rule of thumb is .5 - 2% of the selling price for an average sized home. If you Stage your property instead of reducing your price, you could gain $3,000-$7,500!

Often you can forgo costly renovations by staging. By lightly furnishing a home, your online photos will get the attention of online house hunters much quicker than boring, empty rooms. And it gives your Realtor an opportunity to re-list with the info that it has been professionally staged. Other Realtors will be much more likely to show a staged home than an empty one.

A majority of the homes we stage have been on the market for some time before we do our magic. One house was on the market for the better part of a year. It was furnished, but was cluttered and had no obvious traffic pattern or balanced room arrangements. After staging and some fresh paint, the home received two offers within two weeks. They accepted an offer 23 days after staging. And this is not an isolated incident.

Stageworks' average "days on the market" after staging is 37 days! That is right in line with national statistics.

See the most recent staging statistics here.

Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Stageworks recently staged a home on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. Sadly, the home owner had past away, but the family understood the importance of making the best possible impression BEFORE listing it.

Often we hear, "Let's wait to see what happens, and if it doesn't sell, then we'll consider staging it". This is a big mistake many home sellers make.

There are several reasons why staging before listing the property is the best plan of action.

• Those house hunters who first view the property will not likely come back to see it again after staging if the first impression was ho-hum. So, the sellers have lost the opportunity to wow those first - and possibly most interested - buyers forever.
• Statistics are clear that staged homes sell faster and by selling faster, there's no need for a price reduction.
  
• The photos of a staged home will grab online lookers much quicker than houses with empty or cluttered rooms.

Using much of what the homeowner already had, we created a warm and inviting environment. The goal is to create a flow to the home, eliminate clutter and allow the buyer to see how rooms work when furnished with just the right amount of pieces.

After the staging was complete, we walked through with the V.P. of Wachovia Bank's Trust Department. Her first comment was "It's really amazing, what you did makes the house seem more like a home. What a difference - you guys really have the touch!"

Before and After

The next step is to have professional photos taken of the home and place it on the market! We're sure this one will go fast.

Trivial Pursuits?

There are many challenges facing our country and the world, and it often seems that considering what color sofa to use in an upcoming staging project is trivial in comparison.
Then I am reminded of the economic struggles that many are experiencing, and resolve that selling homes quickly and for the most money does, in fact, contribute to helping folks.

The most recent survey published by RESA (the Real Estate Staging Association) reveals impressive statistics on home staging.

"In 2007 vacant homes in our study that were previously on the market on average of 131 Days as un-staged properties had not sold. Those same homes were then taken off the market and staged and re-listed. Those properties on average sold after 42 days on market after they were staged,which is 68% less time on the market.

In 2008 vacant homes in our study that were previously on the market an average of 190 days as un-staged properties, had not sold. Those same homes were taken off the market and staged and re-listed. Those properties on average sold after 28 days on market after they were staged, which is 85% less time on the market." You can read the entire report here.

Decorating decisions may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, however, creating balanced, comfortable, and beautiful living spaces affects our lives in many positive ways. As they say, the sapling needs a balanced and enriched environment to thrive. And the hope is that potential buyers will see a beautifully staged home as the perfect place to raise their family.

Now... I'm off to pick the perfect paint color for that nursery!

Our Latest Redesign Project

Stageworks Home Staging & Redesign recently traveled to Hot'lanta to redesign a gorgeous home in the suburbs of the city. The owners had some great things to work with, and we only purchased a few items to complete the look. But we did move things around to create better flow in the home ... even though it involved lugging things up and down three floors!

Here are a few pics of the final results.

Family Room Before

Family Room After

Office Before




Office Turned Bedroom After


Dining Room Before and After

Basement Dining Room Before



Basement Dining Room After