We Answer Wednesday - How home staging helps sell your home

"My fiance and I are now living together, and we want to put my place up for sale. Is it worth it to stage the house? It is empty, so doesn't that make it look bigger and that way a buyer can picture themselves in there? We just want to know what staging will do to help us sell."

This is something we can definitely help you with.  We have staged lots of properties for clients to help get them sold.

Home staging is a great tool to help buyers visualize how to live in the space, it helps to highlight the features of your home and also show off the size of your home.  Home staging isn't just about furniture that's only one part of it. Selling an empty or vacant property is actually really tough.  Empty rooms are cold and emotionless - that means buyers aren't connecting with the house.  Have you ever seen photos of an empty room? It's really hard to tell if the room is large, small or just the right size...Many people do not have the ability to picture their things and their life when looking at a vacant property. There is no WOW factor with a vacant property so buyers don't take notice.

 

A good home stager will come and view the vacant property (usually with you and often with your agent) and he/she will give suggestions on any repairs, cleaning, depersonalizing, decluttering and updates that are needed.  A home stager knows what buyers are looking for, your agent can also give you some insight as to what your competition is offering (flooring, counter tops etc...) but also what the buyer expectation is at your price point. Buying a home is an emotional connection - it is something the buyer feels when they walk in the door.  Home staging helps with setting the scene and connecting with buyers on an emotional level. Plus buyers are looking to buy their NEW home, they don't want your old one - so the prep work to get it looking it's best!

 

Your home stager will work with you and your budget to get the property up to par before moving in any furniture items.
 Details are so important when selling:

 - A fresh coat of paint in a current tone can do wonders for any property.

- Small updates like new cabinet hardware and a tile back splash can totally transform a kitchen

- Brighter light bulbs in existing light fixtures can really help any room

-Fixing up any small repairs will give buyers a good feeling about 'their new home'

-A good and thorough cleaning feels great! You want to make a fantastic first impression on your potential buyers.

When it comes to the final step of furnishing the home with staging furniture, your stager will have a plan.  He/She has figured out how to best show off this property by making it look clean and bright but also large and current.  The proper scale and placement of furniture make a big difference in flow plus using the right accents like colour and texture really give your photos a 'pop' and set the scene!



So why would staging help you?

Well, having your home professionally staged will set you apart from the competition. Having the right pieces, colours, updates and more will make you stand out from the crowd in any market.

1. Your staged property will always photograph better and in this day and age, your online photos are basically your first showing - when your photos look great, the phone starts ringing and the private viewings are booked!  Home staging will increase the amount of showings at your property.

2. Now that you have more showings, the agents start to take notice and that piques everyone's interest  - your property is hot!

3. A hot property means offers - could be a quick offer early into the process because the buyer agent knows this one won't last long or it could mean you have a number of interested buyers leading to multiple offers.

Home staging helps :

-make your property looks its best and present what buyers want

- by giving you the best online photos to be used in marketing materials and social media

- get more interest in your property and more viewings

- get the property sold for top dollar and quickly



Best wishes on the sale of your home and remember it's really important for your own stress level and bottom line to work with true professionals who will help you feel good about the presentation and sale of your property.

We Answer Wednesday - Low cost Home Staging Tips

"We are selling our home and moving to a new city due to a job transfer.  I know home staging sets you apart from the competition.  We want to sell quickly and make the move to the new city easy.  We are on a tight budget, do you have any quick, easy and low budget home staging tips to share?"

You are absolutely right! Home staging sets you apart from the other homes on the market and you want to stand out in the crowd especially if you are in a market with lots of competition.  Every style of home can benefit from home staging.  Home staging can get you more money and help you sell faster, so the extra work to get the home prepared for the market will be worth it in the end.  Less time on the market means you can move forward with your new chapter in life without the extra stress and worry.

There are lots of quick and easy, low cost (and no-cost) staging tips.  Here's what we suggest:

- Clean.  I'm sure your home is clean but is it spit shine clean? Really get in there and clean that house.  Give it a good scrub down.  Buyers will notice and the home will feel great.  There is nothing like a super clean home.  Having said that, pay attention to the scent of the home.  You don't want it to smell like harsh chemicals of bleach - that can be a turn off. Stick with scents like clean laundry, vanilla or cotton.

 

 -  Repair.  This may cost a bit, it depends on what needs to be repaired and how handy you are.  Any burnt out light bulbs? leaky faucets? cracked tiles? chipped paint? You need to spend a bit of money here to tend to these issues.   Has it been a while since you painted the house? You might want to consider a paint job - a fresh coat of paint goes a long way and make a huge difference! Over look these repairs or just leave it? Buyers will think you maybe left other issues unresolved, bigger issues. If there are too many repairs to pay for and maybe you don't have the time, consider that when pricing your home with your agent.



- De-clutter.  We all have junk.  Since you are moving anyway this is a great opportunity to lose some weight.  Go through your stuff and get rid of what you don't want/need you will be surprised how much you can accumulate in a short period of time.  Go through everything - drawers, closets, cabinets etc.  Don't spend the time, money and energy moving to the new place to just to toss it - get rid of it now.  The house will feel lighter. Plus when buyers see clutter it is a stresser and it sends a message that there isn't enough storage (one of the top things buyers are looking for is storage).  One area to really pay attention to is above the kitchen cabinets - don't store anything up there, it's distracting and looks messy (even decorative items) and bathroom counter tops, we tend to 'collect' soap, lotions and more. Clear off surface spaces - kitchen counters, your coffee table, end tables, kitchen table, desk etc...Clear out the clutter!



- Pre-pack and depersonalize.  You know you are moving , so pre-pack certain items that you know are going to come with you.  For instance family photos and collections - we don't want them in the space because they personalize the space - you don't want buyers to feel like they are visiting, you want them to mentally move in - your memories will block that from happening.  Collectibles should also be packed up - again they are personal plus they can clutter up the space depending on the size of the collection.  Have a lot of art or books? A few are fine but if you have too many they can add bulk to the room making the space feel cramped, so pre-pack some of those pieces (at least the ones coming with you)

 

- Let there be light! Pull back the drapes, clean those windows and be sure to replace burnt out bulbs or up the wattage.  Light makes a huge difference in a space.  If you have a dark room, add some table or floor lamps. When it is time for your photos, be sure to have your lights on - over head, task lights all of your lights - it looks so much better in photos! Take a look at the two images below - image 1 has all of the lights on - even though they have beautiful natural light streaming in from the patio doors and window.  Look how bright the room is. Image 2 - no lights on at all.  The light from the window just isn't enough.  Yes, it is a beautiful room but it looks a bit dull without the lights on.

         

- Curb appeal.  Make sure the exterior is maintained, it's your home's first impression.  So trim the grass and hedges.  Make sure exterior lights are in working order.  Is the address plate visible and in good condition? Does the door bell work? Shovel or sweep the porch and walkway/driveway. These details are important.

 

- Set the scene.  This is the fun part and the creative part. Use magazines as your inspiration -make the bed and make it look inviting like you would see in a chic hotel.  Have a great dining room space? Set the table to help buyers visualize entertaining in the space.  Add a touch of colour in the kitchen.  Some flowers or a fruit bowl on the island or kitchen table make the room look fresh. Take a look at your furniture or better yet get a friend to help - is there too much? Is there flow? You may need to re-arrange some pieces, so try to find a way to create a comfortable set up that encourages conversation but also shows off the space.



Be sure to keep the 'creative' stuff last and follow these steps in this order. Remember, home staging isn't just about fluffing pillows  - it's a step by step process to make the home look it's best.  Buyers are looking for their new home not your old home so follow these steps and your house will shine!

Staging a Home: the Do's and Don'ts

When selling a home, first impressions matter. That’s why staging is key for creating an emotional connection with buyers. Signs of a happy life (like the scent of freshly baked cookies or a book beside the sofa) can instantly boost a prospective buyer’s mood and maximize your home’s selling potential.

Here are a few important tips about the process.

 


Do: clean your house! If you can do one thing on this list cleaning your home is the one.  Get on your hands and knees and scrubs those floors and baseboards.  Deep steam clean that rug (wall to wall and area rugs), wash guest towels and bedding so it is cleans and not musty smelling, scrub that tub and shower walls, clean windows, mirrors and more, wash down doors and cabinets and even walls.  Top to bottom - throughout cleaning is necessary and it will be very obvious to buyers

 Do: Declutter your space. This is by far the most important step for staging and resale. Organize every nook and cranny, including closets and cupboards. It doesn’t seem like much, but going the extra mile will help leave a lasting impression. (Plus it' s always great to declutter before a move so you don't lug all that extra junk with you to the new place)




Do: make small repairs and finish any incomplete work.  So leaky faucets, cracked tiles, missing or incomplete trim work, replace burnt out light bulbs (interior and exterior), make sure your heating and cooling systems are fully functional (proof of a maintenance inspection is never a bad idea), make sure your fireplaces are also functional, caulk your baseboard, touch up paint (if you can't repaint the house)



Do: Paint your walls. Soft, warm whites are a good option over anything with colour pigmentation like a sage green or calm blue.Ideally, paint the entire home but if that won't work with your budget, paint the main living space and any dark rooms. Crisp white walls will make your home feel extra fresh and clean. Opt for a simple off-white shade like Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball or Elmira White by Benjamin Moore








 

Do: Focus on curb appeal. People always notice the front entry first, so make sure it’s inviting. A few must-dos: Repaint the front door, mow the lawn and double-check that the outside lights work like light weeding or sweeping the walkway. In winter months, shovel the pathways and walk ways and be sure to salt them for safety. 


Do: make small updates that you can afford.  If your home is dated try updating you cabinetry hardware in the kitchen and bathrooms this is an instant update and it's very easy to do.  Update your lighting by replacing existing and out dated light fixtures, so brass light fixtures opt for a brushed or polished nickle instead (just keep the finish the same throughout the home)



 

Do: Keep every space organized, including bookshelves. It’s small efforts like this that hold the most weight when preparing your home for sale. when buyers see clutter - like bursting book shelves, disorganized cupboards and closets or items stored above cabinets - the message is 'there isn't enough storage' and that's a negative.



 Don't: Hide all personal mementoes. A few trinkets suggest a home is filled with good memories and has some warmth to it, but really  limit the number of family photographs. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living there, too! If you remove everything, the house with be completely 'neutered' and lacking in warmth.

Don't: Renovate the entire house. This is a definite don’t. Some homebuyers would rather do the renovation themselves, and others aren’t particular about everything being brand new. Plus you may ending up spending more than you had budgeted and run over time - do the necessary improvements and if major updates are needed like new kitchen and bathrooms etc...discuss a pricing strategy with your real estate agent to reflect the home's potential.

Don't: Stage every room. As mentioned above, you don’t need to remodel your entire house before you sell. Save yourself the time and money, and focus on smaller adjustments like furniture placement and overall tidiness.Be sure that all of the rooms are clean, repaired, and tidy -

Do add a pop of colour -  it looks great in photos too, so think about purchasing some accent pillows, flowers, new shower curtain, guest towels - small affordable items that can easily add a fresh look to your home and present well in photos (most of your first views will be from the Internet) and in person during open houses and showings