I’m neither an interior designer nor a professional home stager, but as a licensed real estate broker, I regularly walk through and see a lot of homes for sale. I’ve observed what trends help homes sell. Staging is absolutely valuable and can make all the difference for many homes, but not all. Sellers don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a stager, they can do a lot of it themselves. While this list is more about personal observation & experience and less about statistics; I think this information can be useful.
- Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, grace the porch with flower filled pottery. Invest in some beauty bark to cover neglected areas. Swap out the front door mat in favor of a new welcome mat. First impressions matter, therefore curb appeal is important.
- Place small items in storage to assist potential buyers to focus on the home, not the tchotskys. A room with a few large items is a more effective staging strategy than a room cluttered with many small things.
- A minimal amount of furniture helps a home appear larger. It’s best if the furniture complements the home but if it does not, I recommend that only certain pieces be selectively displayed. It’s also perfectly legitimate to stage only some rooms.
- Use discretion on what items to feature. That institutional sized water filter sitting on top of the kitchen counter may suggest the home has poor drinking water, even if the water is perfectly fine. Keep the kitchen counters clutter free and help a buyer focus on only the home’s positive attributes. Is there a water view? Place a telescope near the window as a reminder.
- Remove personal photos and effects which might distract, or worse reveal too much. This includes mail, bills and marked up paper calendars. I once observed a calendar tacked up on the fridge where the homeowner had written in colorful ink “Close on out new home!” which told my buyer that homeowner would soon be paying two mortgages. That calendar told my buyer that the seller might be more open to negotiation over price.
- Unless the home has a dedicated library, book displays have a way of drawing the eye away from looking at the home. Better to put books and bookcases in storage. However, hardbound classic literature in pristine condition or large decorative coffee table books work well to enhance a space.
- Sometimes buyers like to peek inside closets so it’s a good idea to make sure they’re neat and orderly. Same with ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators. Marketing a home is marketing a lifestyle. The cram everything in the closet lifestyle will be discovered and it could suggest the home doesn’t have adequate storage.
- New paint can cover a multitude of pet/cooking odors. Neutral colors are best. A brightly painted room or walls with murals and stencils will appeal to less buyers than a room painted with a neutral color.
- Plug in fragrances and scented candles can be red flags for buyers. That strong whiff of Yankee Candle Summer Breeze could suggest something sinister is being covered up. Best to avoid using any artificial fragrances.
- Soiled, stained or foul-smelling flooring and curtains should either be professionally cleaned or replaced. It’s a lot easier to look beyond clutter and bright colors than it is to overlook offensive odors. The extent of staging needed can vary from home to home. While professional staging almost always enhances a home’s appeal, some non-professional tricks can be similarly useful. A seasoned real estate professional can help guide homeowners about what, if any, improvements need to be implemented or if needed; recommend a few quality stagers.
Sequim Real Estate 