Staging Homes Successfully this Summer
June 6, 2008 by Andy Capelluto
It doesn’t matter what the “experts” say about the market – it’s June, school is out and folks are on the move. Now is the time to ensure that you haven’t left anything to chance. It’s the time to embrace the concept of home staging like it’s your best friend … because it is!
1. While standing at the entrance of the house you have just listed, take lots of photographs of the garden and exterior and especially the front door. Download them and have a good hard look at what you’re dealing with. This is your time to be super observant.
2. Begin with the mailbox and work from the outside in. Hopefully you’ve taken the class and have the AHS designation checklist to follow. It’s very comprehensive and will simplify your task, empower you and make you feel and sound like the professional you are.
3. Start by getting rid of things. Yes, de-clutter and de-personalize the exterior as well as the interior. Look to see where you can eliminate dead wood, and by that I mean trim, cut back and remove anything that is superfluous. Guide your sellers in undertaking the job or call in a gardening service.
4. Remove whatever is unnecessary – repair whatever is broken – upgrade wherever possible. (Refer again to that AHS checklist)
5. Pressure wash, clean and eliminate all remnants of winter and be sure to give special attention to the front door - it must look spectacular.
6. Remember paint is the cheapest, fastest and most effective method to upgrade both in the exterior and the interior. You could also ‘spot paint’ any walls, areas and features that could do with a little ‘facelift’
7. Introduce seasonal color in the form of bold masses of inexpensive annuals in planters, flower beds and hanging baskets. Planters flanking the front door using one color of one specimen will give that front door area the impact it deserves. Use these and many other tips to make your listing outshine all the competition that’s looking for those few buyers. T
he best way to ensure that you are doing all you can to close that buyer is to make sure you understand the basics of home staging. You can do that by taking the Accredited Home-Staging Specialist (AHS) course online or download your free copy of the “7 Deadly Home Staging Sins.”
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Posted in: Agent Productivity Broker Profitability Buying & Selling A Home General Generational Selling New Agents Professionalism Real Estate Marketing
Hi Andy
I'd just like to point out that anyone home-staging who is looking for great art at very low prices could take a look at http://fragments.galleryica.com. It's a place where you can pick up real contemporary art for as low as $60 and have it shipped to your door.
Staging is so important these days and using the skills of a professional stager is a must!
I have only met a few agents that truly have "staging" skills!
Sorry Charles, but I totally disagree. Staging is not brain surgery. It is a simple process process that can easily be learnt especially by the REAgent who has been in the 'home' arena all along. Please dissuade yourself of the impression that only a 'professional' can stage a home. What was the 'professional stager' doing before staging became the norm?
Staging is rapidly becoming the norm and is no longer a choice.
Good tips. I'd say appropro espcially for those properties under risk of foreclosure. But, I'd just offer that these tips are best served only AFTER you take the pictures for your client's short sale submission package to the lender. ;-)
Also remember the importance of great photographs Mel, after all it's your photographs that draw your buyers to the listing in the first place.....
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