Will home staging follow the way of the mullet, acid wash jeans, and pet rocks? Here today, gone tomorrow?
I believe staging is here to stay for the same reason you would get your car washed before selling it, or take a shower before going out on a date. It just makes sense to present you, your car, or your home, in the best possible condition. Think of staging as property enhancement. When would it ever go out of style to enhance a property to its best potential, …

How we choose to live in our homes is our business…right? WRONG! If you are selling your home, you may have to make some lifestyle adjustments. For instance, that pool table you have in your living room might make sense to you, but, to a buyer, it can just be confusing. If you have a room with a chandelier hanging down, you should probably have it furnished as a dining room, even if you have not been using it that way.
Quite often, we have rooms in our …

I am asked quite often “What is the difference between decorating and staging?” I thought I would provide you with a quick explanation, and some definitions of other terms we use in staging.
Decorating is furnishing and accessorizing a space, with the taste and lifestyle of the homeowners in mind.
Staging is decorating, also, but in a manner which showcases the best features of the home, detracts from any negative features, and appeals to the greatest number of buyers.
Neutralizing is removing a particular style or theme. For example, if a home …

Decorating your home to fit your lifestyle, and decorating your home to sell are VERY different! You may have displays of treasured collections, items you have picked up on your travels, or family memorabilia. There are two reasons to pack it all away when you put your home on the market. The first is that your display may be so interesting, that buyers pay more attention to it than your home. I did a consultation at a home that had a border of plates depicting different animals displayed along the …

What exactly does a staging company do?
A staging company will analyze the home, determine what changes are needed to make it show the best it can, and implement the changes. The work can quite often be completed in one day. It is not always necessary to bring more items into the home. In most cases, the opposite is true and de-cluttering and editing is needed. The object is to highlight the best features of the home and detract from any negative ones.
Isn’t hiring a …

Preparing your home to sell can certainly be a daunting task, and most sellers don’t know where to start. I suggest you start where your buyers will start, with a first impression. It’s difficult to be objective about your own home, but there are some tricks you can try.
Jump in your car, and drive to an entrance to your neighborhood. Try to imagine that you are buyers considering purchasing a home there. Drive through the neighborhood, and take note of the conditions of all the …

You may have seen this in your neighborhood. A “for sale” sign goes up in a yard, and after a long period of time, you notice it’s gone. Thinking that the home sold, you are then surprised to see a new sign go up, “for rent”. As “days on market” figures continue to climb and our economy remains sluggish, this is becoming a very common occurrence. So, why does a seller decide to give up on selling, and rent, instead? Of course, it’s all about …

Are you confused by all the advice you read about how to prepare your home for the market? I have come up with a very simple concept that most everyone can follow. Prepare your home as if you were throwing a party. Think about the steps you take when you entertain, and consider the buyers coming through your home as your party guests. Not into entertaining? Then, think back to a party where you were the guest and your host or hostess made you feel …

There are many affordable ways of getting your home ready to sell.  Updating the lighting can produce that “wow” factor, for not a lot of money.  The larger home improvement stores have a wide variety of lighting choices, at surprisingly low prices.
I recently previewed a condo and suggested that the owner replace the dated brass, five-light fixture in the eating area.  When I went back on staging day, hanging over the table was a sleek modern fixture that the homeowner purchased for under $40.  The effect was dramatic, as the …

There are many ways to make buyers feel welcome when they are viewing your home, but none so easy, and obvious, as a welcome mat! A good first impression is key, and a brand new mat says you care about your home, inside and out!
Not all homes have old and worn doormats, but most of them do!  That’s if they even have one at all! I went to preview a home about a year ago, and as I climbed the front steps, I noticed that not only was it doormat-free, but the outline of where …