Staging to Sell – Murray MacRae

staging to sell

use smart staging to sell your home faster... and for more

The expression “you only have one chance to make a first impression” applies in spades to the sale of real estate; scientific studies prove that buyers usually make up their minds within the first 15 seconds.

Critical to the “quick” sale of your home then, will be the dressing up of the property (sometimes referred to as “staging”) before the first potential buyer arrives. Curb Appeal. In addition to the overall state of the neighborhood, your house will be judged first on the way you have maintained the lot and the exterior of the building.

exterior maintenance includes siding, windows, doors and eaves. Make sure nothing is broken, damaged, clogged or in need of paint.
during the summer months keep the lawn mowed, flower gardens weeded, bushes trimmed (especially around the main entry into the house).
remove any clutter – buyers want to see the yard at its full potential.
during winter make sure the driveway and pathways are clear of snow and ice

The Entry This is the most important part of the house – the front door/entry is the VP of first impressions to your home. Make sure this area is free of all clutter: the door should be able to open fully without impediment; this is the area where you should place your most impressive piece of art work, a beautiful vase filled with yellow flowers to welcome prospective buyers or a zippy rug that adds pizzazz to the entry.
De-cluttering Clutter is perhaps the most negative aspect confronting a potential Buyer. Not only does it present a negative image, it prevents the buyer from seeing the true potential of the space available. In order to focus on the de-cluttering aspect ask yourself three key questions: Do I need it? Do I love it? Do I use it? If the answer to any two of these questions is “no” then likely it is time to lose it.

Clean out the closets and cupboards especially in the bathrooms and under the kitchen sink.
If your main reception rooms are overflowing with furniture remove and store some of it.
Pack up and store as many knick-knacks and dishes as you can.
Leave only the stuff that you use on a daily basis.

Following these simple points will make your house appear larger and allow prospective buyers to see the placement of their own possessions.

Clean and Spruce Up

Clean the bathrooms (especially the mirrors) and any appliances that are going to remain with the house. A house that has been well cared for will sell twice as fast as one that has been neglected.
Sounds and aromas can be used to create an ambience that most buyers will find appealing: e.g. soft music, the smell of baking bread, lemon, potpourri.
Finally a coat of paint can be a very inexpensive fix for a house that has been well-lived in.

Enhancing Positive Energy Levels
Have you ever noticed that when you enter certain homes they feel “just right” while others leave you inexplicably uncomfortable? According to Feng Shui this “feeling” is often related to unseen environmental factors, how energy flows within the space or other conditions affecting the balance and harmony of the living area. In practical terms, we will examine your property and recommend changes (usually relatively simple and inexpensive) that will ensure that buyers feel “right” when they arrive: when they leave they will feel “one” with the property and conclude that it can provide them with the level of prosperity they are seeking.