By Patti Stern, PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating
This spring has been one of our busiest home staging seasons with many sellers enjoying the benefits of preparing their homes early and marketing to targeted buyers – boosting the value of their property and selling quickly. However, there are sellers who are hesitant and still need convincing that home staging – whether occupied or vacant – is a worthwhile investment, even in a hot market. Several key points can help overcome sellers’ uncertainty and assure them that staging before listing is a win-win decision.
1. Basic updates boost perceived value
Today’s buyers are looking for an updated home in move-in ready condition and will usually pay more if they feel good about it. Simple updates such as freshly painted walls in universally appealing neutral colors, modern lighting, and polished hardwood floors make an immediate statement online and in person and will ultimately yield a quicker sale for top dollar.
2. Helps buyers connect
Some buyers can be turned off by the cold feeling of an empty room or distracted by dated furnishings that suggest the home is old and neglected. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, a vacant property can take up to 78 percent more time to sell than comparable furnished homes. And with 95 percent of vacant or occupied staged homes selling in 11 days or less, there is no question that adding inviting style with modern furnishings helps buyers envision living in a space and get a better idea how a room can be used to fit their lifestyle.
3. Enhances key features
Buyers who can’t look passed dated carpeting or clutter that hides key features will most likely walk away immediately. Choosing a neutral palette with the right furniture arrangement and simple, elegant accents will allow architectural features to become a focal point, increase the perceived size of rooms and improve overall flow and ultimately make the property more memorable.
4. Bedrooms are valuable real estate
Every decision that is made when marketing a home to sell should focus on the targeted buyer’s lifestyle and needs. An experienced stager will provide recommendations for what style furnishings and décor will be appropriate based on the demographics you want to attract to the property. For example, an extra bedroom that is now serving as an office, hobby room, or gym should be converted back into a bedroom to appeal to millennials with young kids (see photo above).
5. Less stress
A professional stager will eliminate stress by making the home selling process turnkey for clients. They will manage the entire process to make a property market-ready — from paint color selection, lighting updates, window treatments, floor refinishing, furniture rentals to packing and organizing services. They will do whatever it takes to appeal to as many buyers as possible and get the property sold quickly and for top dollar.
For more examples of interior decorating and home staging, visit www.pjstagingdecorating.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patti Stern, principal, interior decorator and professional stager of PJ & Company Staging and Interior Decorating, has been decorating and staging homes since 2005. She and her team provide turnkey, full service home staging and interior decorating to clients across Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. She also developed an award winning staging program for luxury homebuilder, Toll Brothers. Her company has received Houzz 2015 and 2016 Awards for Customer Service. Stern has been featured in Connecticut Magazine, the Hartford Courant, Danbury News-Times and on NBC Connecticut and FOX TV. She is a regular contributor to REALTOR® Magazine’s Styled, Staged and Sold. For more information, contact Patti Stern at 203-640-3762 or patti@pjstagingdecorating.com
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