How To Sell Your Home In Today's Changing Market

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Here in the greater New York, NJ and Long Island area, where Home Staging is just beginning to generate some interest, I am finding that there are many misconceptions about exactly what it is, what it entails, and who should use it.

Unfortunately some television shows that feature Staging, have given the public false impressions and many think that preparing a house for marketing can be done for under $2,000 - and that would include any construction, destruction, wiring, plumbing, painting and new furniture/accessories. In a perfect world that would be lovely indeed, but in the 'magic of television', those services are provided by professionals hired by the show and the $2,000 pays for furnishings only (which would include new counters, cabinets, paint, draperies, furniture, lighting fixtures, etc.).

How To Sell Your Home In Today's Changing Market So, that being said, I ask the consumer to put that theory aside and learn what Home Staging is really all about.

In order to sell a house in today's market, the house needs to look better than the competition and be priced accurately.

Preparing the house to enter the market involves more than decluttering, cleaning and painting. First of all, the seller needs to develop the proper mindset, which means that once their home is listed for sale, it is no longer their "home", but rather a commodity that needs to be merchandised like any other 'product'.

The house should be in top-notch condition with all repairs having been attended to. The surrounding property should be well-manicured and maintained. Likewise, the entry into the house should be warm and inviting, since this is usually the point where prospective buyers start to form their opinions. The door itself and all trim should have a fresh coat of paint if needed. Small potted evergreens or flowering plants add to the appeal, and a new doormat always compliments the look.

Once inside, rooms should be painted warm, neutral colors, and since hardwood floors are a huge selling feature, (as long as they are in good condition) they should be uncovered when at all possible.

Contrary to what Nate Berkus may have led you to believe on the recent Oprah segment, personal items, including family photos, should be packed away as they are a distraction to the potential buyer, and that distraction prevents the buyer from seeing all of the wonderful features of the house. Collectibles, trophies, and generally any kind of tchotchke should also be packed in anticipation of the move.

All toys (including sports equipment/memorabilia and game systems), pet beds and feeding bowls, TV's and Media equipment, as well as personal items used on a daily basis, should be stored out of sight. I recommend buying woven baskets in varying sizes to hold those things that need to be placed in a closet or cabinet prior to showing the house (think mail, toiletries..). I should also note here that closets and cabinets will be opened because buyers want to see if there will be enough room for all of their prized possessions! The rule of thumb is to have closets 1/2 to 2/3 full and neatly organized, and cabinets should not be overflowing with items. Since you will be moving anyway, start paring down the stored items so that you will only have access to what is needed for the next few months.

Each room of the house should hold a nominal amount of furniture; just enough to show the purpose and possibilities of each space. The furniture should be positioned in a way that accents the positive features of each room and creates good 'flow' from area to area. Accent pillows and 'throws' in contrasting colors add a bit of 'drama' and warmth to rooms, as do a few carefully placed and coordinated accessories and prints. Green plants and trees (good quality silk are acceptable, and actually preferred over skimpy, unhealthy greenery) help to complete the look that will make a person want to kick off their shoes and curl up with a good book or magazine!

Think of Model Homes or Showhouses that you may have toured in the past, or even house and room designs in magazines - how did you feel when you viewed each room? More than likely you felt that you could easily move right in and live there very happily! This is the reaction that today's seller wants to evoke from prospective buyers, and that, in a nutshell, is what Home Staging/Property Styling/Real Estate Staging is all about.

Because Home Stagers (also known as Property Stylists or Real Estate Stagers) are trained to see a house through the eyes of the buyer, they can help the seller to see what issues need to be addressed or what changes are necessary in order to show the house at its best so that it stands out from the competition. More often than not, the seller is so emotionally tied to their 'home', that they cannot see it objectively. When you live in a place for a period of time, you tend to accept and even forget about any flaws. I would guess that the last time that most sellers were objective about the house that they are living in, is the day that they stood at the curb for the first time as a prospective buyer!

If you feel that you can see your house realistically as it is, and want to market it in such a way that it will stand apart from the other competing homes in your area, then use the principals that I have given you above. If you are not sure, contact a Stager in your area; many, if not most, will be happy to give a free estimate of what it will cost. If you look at the individual websites for area Home Stagers, you will notice that there are usually different levels of service - probably one that will fit your budget.

Remember that Staging your house will help to create the 'home' of buyers' dreams - one that they will emotionally connect to and want to live in; and that is what helps a house to sell in today's market!

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How To Sell Your Home In Today's Changing Market

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