Selling your home involves more than listing it a price appropriate for the property and market, and more than getting a Realtor to list it on MLS… Part of a good real estate agent’s magic is setting the stage for the sale… not surprisingly, this is called “staging” although in some cases it involves “curb appeal” as well.
If a homeowner thinks buyer prospects aren’t turned off by their maroon flocked wallpaper, boldly painted rooms, the pool table in the living room, heavily furnished rooms, stuffed to the brim closets, and the like, he is out of touch with reality. Those things should be changed before the house is put on the market.
Here’s the reality of good staging vs. “as-is.” One study showed us that well-staged homes sell in an average of 42 days. Those that aren’t take more than 3 times as long. And staged homes seem to also bring from 6 to 22 percent more in the selling price.
So let’s look at some of the most obvious areas that should be addressed when a home is being staged for the market.
The Drive Up Appeal
Be sure the lawn is alive, well, plus always looks as if it were just cut. Keep the flower beds weeded and covered with fresh mulch; the hedges and trees trimmed; attractive potted plants by the entrance. Freshen up the paint or stain on the front door, or replace it with a fancier one. If the door hardware looks worn, replace it. Make sure the street gutters are clean and without weeds growing in them. Keep children’s toys, bicycles, trash cans and the like out of the yard.
What Is Seen the Minute the Front Door Is Opened
First the foyer. Make certain it doesn’t have a coat tree full of coats, a table with keys and cards and today’s mail on it. If there’s room, have fresh flowers, live plants there to welcome and impress your visitors.
