Real Estate-Sellers-Stage to Win the Buyer and the Home Sale

This is key to attracting the buyers to your home! There have been many real estate articles on how to stage a home. Not so much on WHEN to stage. So, here's a little quiz for you.

When should you have your home staged:

1. When your Realtor stops by for the initial listing appointment.
2. When your home's photos are being taken for all of the marketing material.
3. When your home is being shown to buyers.

Yes. It was a trick question.
Yes. All three answers work. BUT, the best Answer is  #2: the photo shoot. Get your little darlin' cleaned up for the big day.

Prior to your listing appointment (and for your own peace of mind) pack the things away that you don't anticipate using for a while. Be diligent. Closet by closet, drawer by drawer, room by room. Box those things up, label them well (top and side) and store them out of the normal walking paths of your home...a spare room, the attic, garage or a storage unit.

Then really roll your sleaves up and clean your home. Including light fixtures, light bulbs, blinds, near the door knobs...in nooks and crannies...all of them. It's a lot of work, but it will help your home out-shine your competition.

It is amazing how some folks put their homes on the market.  Pigpens.  Would you want to clean up someone else's mess, once you move in?  Probably not. Neither will a prospective buyer.

As Realtors, this is what we hear from our buyers the moment we enter into a pigpen..."NEXT"...and off to the next house we go. It's a lost opportunity for you, and a waste of time for everyone else.  Get serious. Clean it up or hire someone to do so.

The BIG DAY,  THE HOME PHOTO SHOOT: Now, you don't really have to be an expert stager, but you should consider some of these basic tips to follow for staging your home  for the photos.
 
The Kitchen:  You do have to make sure the clutter is removed from the counter tops.  Clearing off these areas, will make the pictures of your kitchen look larger and cleaner. Place dishsoap under the sink, salt and pepper in the cabinet, rugs and dish towels out of sight...you get the idea.

For the kitchen, it's fine to have decorative pieces at the top of the cabinets, and maybe a grouping of three decorative pieces on the countertop...or nothing at all. 
Put the coffee maker and toaster somewhere else-just for a minute (out of camera view).

Remember, this is just for the photo shoot, not how you'll have to live!

• Lights: (literally, turn on the lights)
• Camera: (batteries, please:)
• Action: Step back deep into the corners of the room and get a variety of shots. Move up and down to catch the floors or the ceilings. Discover the best look for the home through the lens of your camera.

On to the Living Room and Den:
The techniques are pretty much the same throughout each area of the house.  Remove clutter, remove the shoes in the hallway, put away stray papers, toys, toys, toys..remotes, remotes, remotes.If you have to purchase some cheap up lights to hide behind couches and chairs, do so. Make sure the lighting in the room is good. Move the up lighting around to help each room as you make your way through the home.
 
Bedrooms:
Use good lighting, tilt the blinds, put your valuables away...(we don't want your house to become the next home shopping network)... laundry baskets, and such, should all be tucked away during the photo shoot.

Bathrooms:
This tip does not have to do with staging, but put away any prescriptions like you would your valuables (keep them tucked away throughout your time on the market). Next, remove the throw rugs, bring out your best looking towels, and place all your daily products in the cabinets...just for the photo shoot. Your shampoo and loofah really have no place in the photo.

The yard is another story. Go for clean curb appeal, front and back yard, sidewalks, shrubs, etc.

Why is this soooooo very important?

The buyers look online  first.  And a picture is worth, well for you, maybe it's worth a sale! The buyer has picked your home for many reasons. Price, Location and Condition lead the way.

They want their Realtor to show it to you because of the pictures.

The Realtor makes the appointment and shows the buyer your home.

How should your home look for the showings?
It should be very presentable, and the closer you can show it in its "staged condition", the better. The buyers and the agent understand that it is occupied. You do not have to move the toaster, and the coffee maker.

You DO have to keep it clean (that includes the smell), neat, tidy, and uncluttered. The buyers will revisit your home time and time again through the use of the photos-Internet or Brochure. Once you have it under contract, the next showing will most likely be to the home inspectors!