"Why do I need staging? My house looks great!" When I tell clients about the staging consultation, it's pretty common that they get defensive about their belongings, start to stress they won't like the way that it looks, get overwhelmed by the idea of packing prior to listing, so on and so forth. But let's face it, when you decide you want to list your house, you really don't want it to feel like "your" home anymore. You want potential buyers to see photos, or walk through and start mentally moving in. They can't think "Wow! I can already see our ______ going right there!", if all your stuff is everywhere they look. It can seem sad to take down all your personal things off the wall, but it really does help to sell your house quicker and for top dollar. No buyer will feel at home when they walk in and see a 60x80 family portrait glaring them in the face, it's a house turn off.
We are currently in the process of selling our own home, so of course, I started doing everything I tell my clients todo! In the last 5 years, we have moved 4 times, but this is the first time we are selling and buying a house simultaneously. By all counts, this should be the most stressful move of them all, but because of all the work I'm doing on the front end, it's going to be pretty smooth. Pre-packing can seem like something only a crazy person does, who would pack up their house before it's even listed?! But by de-cluttering, you not only help to open the minds of potential buyers, but you also save yourself the stress and headache later down the road. When I say "pre-packing" I don't mean box up everything you own and use every day and live out of boxes for the next 2 months. I mean box up the kitchen gadgets you hardly use. Box of the guest room bed sets that are overthrowing the linen closet. Pack up all your photos, or extra decor. Less is more in this case.
Take a look at these photos: I think they really do speak for themself.
Before de-cluttering...
After de-cluttering!
I absolutely loved our set up but knew to a buyer it would just appear that there isn't a lot of counter space. I am by no means a professional stager, but until she can come out, this is a great start! Maybe you have an awkward size room, that a buyer may think wouldn't fit so much as a bed, but by staging it as a bedroom or office you now allow their minds to wander and imagine their possibilities. Some furniture arrangements can make a room feel small or dark, so the stager will work on getting the proper balance and light for the photography and showings. The basic idea of staging is being able to showcase your property in the best possible light and allow the buyers to envision themselves living there, which will help you, in the long run, selling your house quickly and for top dollar!
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