By Jonathan Bodeen · 22 April 2019
Many folks, even other agents, don’t understand the importance of staging, or why it matters. Now it’s important to clarify that when I say staging, I don’t necessarily mean bringing in furniture from an outside source. It can also mean using what you already have to make the best first impressions possible. Since most don’t want to spend the $1,500+ it usually costs to bring in décor and furniture, we specialize in the more affordable option of counseling our clients to make the best use of what they already have. This is especially important since most must continue to live in the home during the listing and escrow processes.
First Impressions matter. Your home is in a competition with other homes in your price range, area, and basic parameters. To sell a home quickly and for top dollar, it needs to be, or at least seem to be, the best home for the price.
In a nutshell, here is what good staging accomplishes:
1. Strong positive first impression. Impressions are made before the buyer even enters the home. Even when pulling up to the property, buyers are deciding if they like it or not. In the Phoenix area, are front yards and elevations are chronically boring. This provides an easy opportunity to stand out from most other listings. Flowers! Lots of them! Even cheap ones from home depot will do. Get color underneath your windows, and near the threshold of the door. Having a fresh coat on the front door with a popular color is a great idea.
2. Conveying a pride of ownership. If a home is tidy, and free of clutter, the impression it makes that the owner takes care of their things. Buyers often will put more confidence in the condition of the home if they perceive the owner as a tidy and responsible person.
3. Showing potential buyers how the space might be best used. This is especially useful if you have small spaces or areas that you are unsure how to best use. A professional stager will have original ideas on how to display the space.
4. Detract from less desirable elements of the home. Most don’t have the budget to update their homes completely. The more wow moments a buyer experiences as they traverse the home, the more they will forgive the outdated elements that do exist.
This sort of staging I’m talking about we provide to all our clients. Sometimes it’s my mom and me coming through the home and providing detailed advice. Other times, will bring in our favorite outside stager. It usually means a great deal of de-cluttering, de-personalization and moving around of furniture and decor. It sounds daunting but most clients seem to appreciate the detailed step by step instructions we give. And if you want top dollar, it needs to be part of the listing plan!