The modest investment in a professional staging consultation can yield big returns. BUT, to maximize the return, follow these recommendations:
Do it in the daytime. Having your consultation done during daylight hours has many benefits. In addition to letting your staging professional examine the exterior of the home, she will also be able to size up paint colors, needed repairs, and cleaning issues.
Follow the plan. Your staging consultation should contain a work plan that prioritizes your pre-listing strategy. Usually, decluttering is the first step.
Heed all recommendations. You may not think that moving a chair or repurposing a piece of furniture will have an impact. But when you follow ALL the staging recommendations, the cumulative result will be a home that shows well!
Experiment! Let your inner stager come out. Your stager will discuss moving/removing furniture and furnishings. Ideally, the stager likes to do hands-on work for the best results, so some of her suggestions may involve a bit of creativity.
Recognize that there are more than a few ways to "get it right." For instance, some stagers prefer to remove ALL family photos from the home; others like to have a few "happy" pictures in the home to give it a warm feel. There are stagers who prefer no window treatments (view permitting), while others like the windows dressed. Bottom line: your stager's job is to bring objectivity to the project and he or she knows how to walk the fine line between overstaging and understaging.
Remember: don't take it personally. Professional stagers not only bring talent and experience to the table, they bring objectivity. When you are asked to remove certain personal items, for instance, don't construe this as a critique of your taste or your home. A stager's job is simply to help you package the product you are selling and widen its appeal to buyers.
Take good pictures. Many expert REALTORS have a professional photographer or experienced assistant take pictures of a new listing - they not only have an expert eye, but they have good equipment, too. The National Association of Realtors estimates that more than 90% of buyers start their home searches on the internet. Don't land in the "no" pile as a result of bad pictures.
Ask for a follow-up. Many stagers offer a follow-up visit just before a home is listed to ensure all is well. Take advantage of this service…even a few last minute staging tweaks can make a difference!
Seller's Advantage offers both walk-through and detailed written consultations.
