Decorating Tips: Real Estate Staging Benefits
                                  By: Renee Lambing, I.R.I.S., Crystal Redesign’s 

Selling your home? This is the time of the year many homes are on the market and currently it’s a “buyers” market. This means that there are more homes for sell than there are buyers, so sellers have strong competition. Not only are you competing with other re-sale homes, you are also competing with new home sales where builders are offering great incentives to the buyers.

Did you know that Staging your home for sale reaps a 251% average return on investment and that cleaning and de-cluttering your home offers a 973% average return on investment? You can learn more “Tips on Getting the Best Return for Home Improvements” . With so much to gain from these investments let’s talk about the true benefits and action items to take to have one of the most sought after home on the market.

First, realize that selling your home is completely different than living in your home. It is imperative that you emphasize the features of the house more than the personality of the owner. Your ultimate goal is for potential buyers to visualize it as their home, not yours. Therefore, placement is crucial in maximizing a room’s size, while adding warmth, color and interest with your furnishings will allow your home to compete with model homes.

De-clutter your home. The old saying “less is more” is especially true when selling your home. Remove all the clutter you have in your rooms, closets, garage and cabinets by storing items in attics, at friends, in storage units or POD’s. It is imperative to have your home detailed and cleaned. Buyers inspect everything and cleanliness is monumental in their impression of your home and the care you have taken of it. Clean closets, cabinets, the appliances and the baseboards and make sure bathrooms and kitchens are spotless. Use fresh linens constantly and now is the time for potpourri and scented candles.

Consider hiring a home stager. They come in with a detailed check list of items that potential buyers will be inspecting. A home staging consultation starts at the curb and goes through your entire home making recommendations on changes and enhancements. They leave the list with you enabling you to do the work, or schedule a time to come in and physically stage the home to look like a model home with the furnishings and accessories you already own. Their recommendations can include removing clutter and family photos, adding updated florals and silk greenery, rearranging furniture, lighting, artwork and accessories to appeal to a buyer’s sense of openness and making the presentation of a great place to live.

Buyers are looking for well kept homes they perceive as warm, inviting and roomy. By making some small investments in de-cluttering and staging your home you are more likely to sell your home faster and at a higher sale price allowing you to move on to your next wonderful adventure.