The Southbound Group was recently invited to sit on a Staging 101 panel. Great information was delivered from Jessi Sgarlata and her two co-panelists and now we would like to share the importance of staging with you. According to a study published in The Wall Street Journal, 174 homes that were not staged were on the market for an average of 156 days. After staging, houses sold an average of 42 days after re-listing. If you are someone who is interested in putting your house up for sale, your goal should be to sell it as quickly as possible and for the highest possible price. This can be achieved by staging your home to show off its best features. Here are our top suggestions for getting your house in tip-top shape for showings!
CURB APPEAL. Your front yard and door will be the potential buyer’s first impression of your home. It needs to be the focal point when people are doing quick drive-bys. Mow your grass the day before photos so that the grass has lines. Also, add fresh mulch. We suggest potted plants at the doorway. Yellow or red flowers are best, depending on your house color. For example, a red brick house should have yellow flowers. If your door is looking worn, consider a fresh coat of paint and fresh hardware and/or house numbers. Studies show that houses with red doors sell more. Just make sure if you go red that it’s the right red for the house and you stay in the same hue family. A “welcome” doormat and seasonal wreath will add charm.
SMELLS. When a potential buyer walks in your home for the first time, you want it to be pleasing to the senses. Light and fresh smells such as citrus and peppermint are best. Vanilla often has a strong scent, so steer away. Also, if you have time to put cookies in the oven before you head out the door, set out a plate of cookies. This is much better than teasing your potential buyers with a cookie-smelling candle! You also want your home to smell and look clean. Now is the time to do all the tedious cleaning you’ve been putting off, such as cleaning grout in the bathroom, washing windows and dusting the top of the refrigerator. If you don’t have time to do these things, invest in professional cleaners. Statistics say that a clean home may be able to get you $2,000 or higher on your home sale. In between cleanings, make sure you continue to pick up and do not leave any tracks. Lastly, on the subject of smells, beware of pet odors. Hide away pet beds and toys. Put the litter box outside or in the garage. Consider sending the family pet on a “pet vacation” during the first and busiest part of the showings process.
DE-CLUTTER AND DE-PERSONALIZE. Removing clutter from your home may be the most important part of staging your home. Follow the 75% rule. See our video for more detail! Clean off kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. Organize closets. Take it room by room and one furniture item at a time so you do not get overwhelmed. Any extraneous furniture should be removed and put in storage. The positive of this is that you’ll already have many of your items already packed up when moving time comes. If you no longer need the items, consider consigning them or donating them to charity. When organizing your rooms, consider that each room should have a purpose (i.e.- office, guest bedroom, utility room). As you de-clutter, remove anything that personalizes your home, such as family photos, religious decor, medicine bottles, etc. Think of it as removing “you” from the house. This prevents the buyer from forming an opinion about you. If they pick up on telling signs, they could gain leverage in the negotiating game.
DECORATING. Select a focal point in each room and surround everything around it. This could be a wall of windows, a fireplace and mantel or a fabulous view. Consider rearranging furniture so that the pieces face inward and not towards the TV. When looking at a room, try to fill each corner. If you have a sectional that fills three corners of the room, add a chair in the fourth corner. When decorating, aim for the 3s instead of symmetry in order to add visual flow. Consider replacing artwork with mirrors in order to make the room seem larger, add light through reflection and neutralize the space. Style your mantel and dining room table with candles and small vases with flowers. Most importantly, create happiness and warmth in your home. You want potential buyers to feel joy when they walk through your home.
PAINT. Paint colors are also a key element of staging. Stick with neutral colors. Grays are much more current and popular than beiges. If your walls lend themselves more towards beiges, select a beige-gray mix. London Fog is a good example. Also, watch the sheen. If your house is older and has imperfections, go with a matte paint especially on trim work. Eggshell or matte is a good option for newer homes. Look for low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). Some people with health conditions such as asthma may be very sensitive to VOC “off-gas.”
When looking for a REALTOR® to sell your home, consider one with staging experience or certification. He or she will be able to maximize the sellability of your home and look at your home with a keen eye. A successful REALTOR® will provide you with a staging checklist and will help you through the process. Ask them to show you homes that have been staged versus homes that are not so you can see the difference that staging makes. If this all seems too overwhelming, know that the average time it takes for a home to sell nationwide is 75-120 days, so this process will be over before you know it.
We hope you will consider us when putting your house on the market! Contact The Southbound Group and ask for, Jessi Sgarlata- Accredited Staging Professional.