Top 10 Staging Tips

The first impression a seller makes is critical. What is the first impression at your house? Minor details can make a big difference. As a Realtor is fumbling with the lockbox, the potential buyer is noticing the little details; fresh paint on door, the condition of the hardware, the decorative touches on the mailbox. Fresh mulch, clean edging and proper lawn maintenance are important details that will provide a positive first impression. To a potential buyer, the exterior of the house is a sneak preview of what is inside.

Now is the time to take care of the long-neglected “honey do” list.  Your home should shine with pride of ownership.  Creating the impression that the house is well maintained, will bring a better offer.  Overlooking small repairs may lead buyers to assume you haven’t taken care of the big items and this is when a buyer will begin looking for problems that they might otherwise not notice. A home inspector recently confessed that he will spend more time in homes that have obvious neglect.  How will your home fare under that sort of additional scrutiny?

Step away from the paint brush!  If your painting skills aren’t top-notch, call a professional. The quality of the job is just as important as the colors you pick.  Don’t waste your effort and money if you haven’t the time—or skill—to do the job right.  A professional home Stager can help you pick colors that will work with existing carpet or cabinetry.  A home Stager can help improve the visual flow of your space by recommending colors that transition gracefully from one room to the next.  The right color can also create an environment neutral enough to appeal to a broad range of buyers.  Bold colors can be dramatic…or they can be a deal breaker.  Why take a chance?

Just say “NO!”  Ditto with bold colors and “theme” rooms.  Your personal style, however tasteful, will most likely not be the taste of the prospective buyer.  Decor needs to be neutral enough that it can accommodate any furnishing style without major changes.  Further, using a variety of different textures or colors of carpet and flooring can negatively impact the visual flow of the house.  New floor coverings can make the difference between receiving an offer and taking a price reduction – that will cost you far more than new flooring.

Tasteful furniture doesn’t have to cost a lot.  If you need new furniture for your new home, buy it now.  Furniture mismatches and hand-me-downs make for poor flow and often occupy valuable square footage – both physically and visually.  It’s time to “hand-me-up” to your favorite charity and get a tax deduction.  When it comes to furnishings, keep the best- get rid of the rest.  If new furniture isn’t an option, you can slipcover classic-shaped furniture and paint dated wood pieces for a fresh look that won’t break the bank.

If you have too many “matchy” pieces in your decor, it may be time to edit a few.  Don’t purchase an entire set (even if it is a deal) of bedroom or living room furniture if all the pieces do not fit in the room.  A few non-matching accent pieces will complement the space and add interest and dimension.

The first impression a seller makes is critical. What is the first impression at your house? Minor details can make a big difference. As a Realtor is fumbling with the lockbox, the potential buyer is noticing the little details; fresh paint on door, the condition of the hardware, the decorative touches on the mailbox. Fresh mulch, clean edging and proper lawn maintenance are important details that will provide a positive first impression. To a potential buyer, the exterior of the house is a sneak preview of what is inside.

Does your design style need to shrink?  Does your home have multiple personalities? Too many design styles leave a room confusing and lacking drama.  It can be difficult to make pieces of varying scale and color work together in the same room. “Eclectic” is a great look when done tastefully –  pulling it off can be challenging, even for the pros. A few antique pieces make for great accents, but too many pose a challenge and can make a home feel like grandma lives there.

Your home’s architecture should determine the style of the furnishings.  Stagers and decorators often choose “transitional” pieces because they will work with almost any architectural style or period and well with existing pieces.

Yuck!  Need I say more?

It is important to be informed and realistic about your skill level.  Your best bet is to get help from friends and family or “hire it out.”  Keep your expectations reasonable and use your time for the things you’re confident doing or that only you can do.