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Valley Style
Staging a Home Sale
With interest rates at a commendable low rate and with home options
galore, it is a great time to buy. But a key concern is having a house to sell.
To help sell your current home quickly, you will need to convince potential homebuyers that your home is above
all the rest. The secret to doing that is staging.
"Staging uses furnishings, art, accessories and lamps in an organized manor to help the homeowner maximize
the dollars they can get for selling their home," said Lita Dirks, principal of Lita Dirks and Company, a
firm that stages model homes for Maryland-based Kettler Forlines Homes.
"Selling a new home requires strategic marketing and merchandising techniques that direct potential buyers'
attention to the home's best features," Dirks said. "Anyone with an existing home to sell can apply these
same marketing and merchandising techniques through staging, and the investment will be less expensive than your
first price reduction."
There are different ways to stage a home. If you have not moved out, rearrange your furniture, art and accessories
to focus attention on the home's special features, such as a fireplace or bay window with a great view. Furniture
should be appropriately sized, so that no room appears overcrowded or too small. Professional designers can help
with space planning and create the best balance, proportion and scale to maximize how the home is perceived.
As we walk through the staged home, a de-personalization takes place. Family photos or other highly individual
and personal elements should be removed. This helps potential buyers envision themselves in the home.
If you have moved out, place new or rented furnishings, art, and accessories provided by a professional, or define
spaces in the home without furniture, utilizing art, plants, lamps, drapery and minimal accessories. In model home
merchandising, this is called vignetting.
Once you determine which staging approach works best, it is imperative to examine the first impression your home
conveys. What is first seen when walking through the front door? Eliminate clutter and if needed, rent a temporary
storage unit. Maximum lighting conditions will help brighten the home and by pulling back drapery, lifting blinds,
or removing a window treatment completely, make the space feel larger and feature a view your home might have.
Paint colors can also affect the success of staging. A house that's staged well can sell a room's positive features,
but accent colors on the wall may not appeal to the majority who visit. Neutralize the colors, and you will visually
increase a room's perceived size.
The sensory experience is also a contributing factor. Is there a subtle, clean, fresh scent to your home? Be cautious
to keep the scent subtle and not too strong.
Here are additional room-specific
tips to make the staging of your home complete:
Kitchen: The
kitchen is the heart of the home and the main gathering place. De-clutter countertops and remove mail and catalogs.
Remove and store unnecessary countertop appliances. Add minimal accessories for impact. Make sure appliances, counters,
cabinets and floors shine.
Bathrooms: The
bathroom is the second-most important room in the house. Make sure everything is spotless. A clean, bright bath
sells! Add fresh flowers and towels.
Bedrooms: Clear
out furniture that clutters the room. Create a fresh sanctuary by adding new bedding and pillows. Show minimal
accessories and make sure there is bright light, whether natural or artificial through the use of lamps.
Living Room/ Great Rooms:
Remove furnishings if the room appears cluttered. Too little is better than too much. Consider fresh paint and
new pillows. Minimize accessories.
Dining Room:
Add elegance to stimulate the buyer's imagination. Show a lovely floral arrangement or candles. Again, remove any
furniture that makes the room appear smaller.
Home Office:
Make sure to hide or remove all clutter. Use baskets or bins to hide items you don't want seen. Nothing should
be piled or left on the floor.
Outdoor Spaces:
Show how these are an extension of the living spaces, an additional place to entertain. Add seating and set the
table with a fun accessory that won't be knocked over in the wind. Be sure that the landscaping is maintained and
add memory points by using potted plants or add a fresh coat of paint to the door and change hardware for a newer
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