How To Work With a Home Staging® Professional
By Len Dozois for HomesParadise.com

When the National Association of Realtors® says that the average time on market for a Staged® home is 13.9 days as opposed to 31 days for a non-Staged home, and Staged homes have been shown to sell anywhere from 6.9 to 10% above list price, that's something to pay attention to.
What is Home Staging?
Staging might be defined as a "dumbed down" style of interior decorating. Maybe "dumb" is the wrong word because there is nothing dumb about those statistics at the top of this article. Staging utilizes some basic principles of interior decorating, such as accessorizing and furniture placement, but does not seek to create an environment that is specific to any one person's tastes. This means that a good Stager can create a "neutral" presentation that shows off the best features of the home without the risk of creating a "look" that might not appeal to a particular prospect.
Clutter is an Equity-Killer
You probably already know how hard it is to sell a home that is filled to the brim with the owner's personal items, mementoes, and just plain junk. While you can suggest that the seller "clean it up a bit", a Stager can actually go into the home and store away what's not working and then accentuate what's left to show the room, or rooms, in the best light.
You Only Get One Chance To Make a First Impression
When a buyer has trouble envisioning themselves living in a home they tend not to make an offer. Staging helps the buyer to focus on what's important -- the home's architectural features and potential, not the owner's belongings. Staging makes a house more marketable by creating an image which appeals to the greatest number of prospective buyers.
The Lights Are On, But Nobody's Home
Staging isn't restricted to occupied homes. Vacant properties are often harder to sell because they fail to stir any emotions when prospects visit. Most Stagers have access to furniture and accessories that they can bring in to create a "model home" look that mean the difference between showing a lot of white space and showing a warm and pleasant home.
The "Cost" of Staging
Staging can run anywhere from $300 to $2500, on average, depending upon how much work the Stager has to do and whether or not the Stager is providing furniture and accessories. In most cases Staging fees are less than the amount of the first reduction in selling price so it is almost always cost effective. Fees are borne by the seller.
How To "Sell" Staging Services to the Seller
No one is better at selling the concept than the actual Stager that you will be using. They will be armed with facts and figures that will convince the seller that Staging is a good option for them. All you have to do is plant the seed by quoting the National Association of Realtors statistics and then asking the seller if it would be OK to have a Home Stager come by for a visit.
Not Just Anyone Can Call Themselves a Home Stager
"Home Staging" and "Stager" are registered trademarks owned by the woman who pioneered the concept. StagedHomes.com is the official Home Staging web site and it's the best place to find a Certified Home Staging professional. You can simply enter your office zip code and you'll be presented with a list of trained Stagers who work in your area. Then it's just a matter of making a quick phone call and arranging for an initial meeting where you can learn more about the process and how home Staging is going to help you earn more money and sell homes faster!
General Staging Tips
Even if the seller decides not to use the services of a professional home Stager, you can at least get them to follow these basic guidelines for making their home more marketable:

  • Remove all unnecessary objects from table and counter tops.
  • Reduce groupings of knickknacks to just two or three items.
  • Remove all unnecessary objects from kitchen counters.
  • Remove all papers, pictures, etc from the front of the refrigerator.
  • Remove all personal hygiene items from view in the bathroom.
  • Keep the sink, vanity, shower, tub and commode clean at all times.
  • Replace dirty shower curtains.
  • Wipe toothpaste spray and fingerprints from all mirrors.
  • Hang clean and color coordinated towels.
  • Make sure that all carpets and drapes are clean.
  • Remove offensive odors from the home.
  • Pare down the amount of furniture in crowded rooms.
  • Paint or wash walls where needed
  • Clean all ceiling fan and light fixtures.
  • Remove dirt and smudges from doors, door frames and light switches.
  • Take down any artwork which may offend some prospects.
  • Turn on various lights throughout the home, even during the day, to create mood.
Your job is to sell the home in the shortest amount of time and at the highest possible price. That's exactly the goal of a home Stager as well. This means that Stagers are your partners but you don't have to split the commission!


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