Staging Real Estate : Sell faster, for more!

Sellers

Staging Real Estate

Sellers, let’s talk about how best to make a good first impression by staging real estate. Why?  Because first impressions are memorable and you want to be memorable – in a good way.
For a second, put on your “Buyer’s eyes”.  Think back to when you were buying. How you noticed the details and how they spoke to you… As a buyer a you looked into closets and cupboards, even when the Seller never thought you would!In my opinion not staging real estate is still staging real estate. You are making the choice to display a property in a certain way, to draw attention to particular areas and you will make an impression.
Is it the impression you want to leave on your real estate buyer? Do you want to draw attention to the things you enjoy most in the home, or the things you don’t?
My job is to advertise the “life the buyer could have” if they were to buy your property. Every buyer wants a clean, low maintenance, organized and attractive life.  It’s human nature and it reduces that little bit of built-in anxiety we all harbor.
real estate staging listing real estate
Remember looking at homes that looked like this? Oh, yeah!  Memorable, but not in a good way. Even though you know the Seller (or tenants) are going to move out and you will not be taking possession of this mess, your brain immediately plants this home in the “distasteful” category… Even causing a discomfort that raises your heart rate and engages a little of the flight response!

You ask yourself consciously or subconsciously;  “Are they serious about selling and if so, why didn’t their agent tell the about staging real estate?” “What else didn’t they take care of?”  “If I can’t see the whole of the closet, how do I know this mess is not covering up a bigger issue?” Or perhaps the most common conclusion springs to mind… “This closet is too small to accommodate all this guys stuff, so maybe it’s not big enough for mine either.”

I know some of you are thinking, it’s just a closet. A very small part of the house. Surely the Buyer can see past the smaller things?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Taking the risk by not staging real estate means:

  • Risking the buyer will offer a lower contract price.
  • Risking the Buyer will not trust you, the Seller, to have maintained the rest of the house and therefore will be super-diligent (picky) at inspection.
  • Risking the Buyer will chose another house altogether (one that benefits from staging real estate!) and you will sit on the market longer than needed.

 

Real estate staging means you do this…

1.  Remove a lot of the clothes, shoes and other items.   The closet should be only half full.  It will look bigger – luxurious even.  You’re going to have to pack it anyway and half the stuff in there is out of season right now.

2.  Organize what is left.  Clothes and shoes should be orderly.  Grouped according to type, hung nicely, folded neatly.  Color coordinated if you can manage it. 🙂

3.  Clean the closets and cupboards.  All those dust-bunnies in the back should go up the vacuum cleaner!

4.  Deodorize as needed.  That’s right, small enclosed spaces that are home to shoes and worn clothing can become a bit “less-than-fresh”.  Can anyone say “teenage male” or “sports enthusiast”?

5.  Speaking of enclosed… Take another look at the picture at the top of this article.  Your closet should have a door of some sort.  Being able to close off the closet gives it a neat and clean look.

staging real estate boulder co

When you are ready to sell, you need honest feedback and practical solutions.  Solutions that will result in a lower number of days on market and a higher accepted contracted price.  Engaging a Realtor that is educated and experienced in Staging is one way.  Employing a staging professional is another.

I am an Accredited Staging Professional AND a Realtor. One of the first added values I bring to my listings is a staging consultation. Yes, there is a good chance your to-do list will be comprehensive by the time I’m done taking stock…you may just thank me all the way to the bank.  (Or decide that you don’t want to sell after all!!!)

Sellers, you are paying your Realtor to give you good advice and help you get the best possible price for your property.  Staging real estate  is a big part of this. Start your negotiation with a higher offer and …

Don’t leave money on the closing table!

 

For more staging tips, consider reading these other blog posts:

Property Staging and the message it sends to the Buyer

Real Estate Staging for when something doesn’t feel quite right

Atrocious Boulder County real estate photography