When preparing to meet a romantic interest would it ever enter your mind to say I can't afford to look good?
Just like in romance you've got to make that first impression count. Putting your home's best foot forward creates an environment that speaks to buyers on multiple levels. It moves the buyer from a closed stance to an open and comfortable place.
As the buyer experiences comfort they open up, they engage with the property and want to know more about it. This is every good stagers forte', kick starting that momentum. Nothing else happens till that momentum is established.
Once the buyer is interested the house will sell itself, or not. That is the next piece of the staging puzzle. To define and call out the homes best features and diffuse it's issues. Every space has problem areas, but it also has many features and benefits that are on the buyers wish list. Once the buyer is interested you want to make sure they like what they find as their focus shifts from looking at properties to thinking about buying THIS home.
Putting your house up on the market today requires thought, strategy and preparation. Now that we have established the fact that staging is a must, let's look at what that means. Over the next few months this newsletter will examine various ways to set yourself up for a successful and timely sale. So stay tuned for staging tips and I will share with you some of the secrets professional stagers use.
The COLOR Solution
One mistake sellers often make when staging is to worry too much about what is in the room and completely ignore the room itself. The walls, the floors, the doors, the windows and the architectural features are what create the space. So the first place I start is to evaluate the envelope of a space.
A few well chosen cans of paint will work miracles and pull together all the elements to make any room spectacular. Painting to prepare for selling is standard fare but often seller's stay with the color on the walls presently, take it so neutral that the space has no personality and warmth or worse yet make they choose a color that is too bold and personalized to suit their own personal taste.
Take a look at the room in the picture above, the wall color perfects the space by drawing attention to the fireplace and while not pictured calls out the doors, windows, moldings and flooring. The color resonates with a glow and warmth that feels safe but also hits the "on trend" button spot on.
You can cure a world of other issues with color. You can make a space feel larger, or cozier, or correct those long narrow rooms. You can make a low ceiling less noticeable or turn a boring white ceiling into a work of art that creates a focal point in a room that would otherwise have none.
Color also creates an emotional response. And it's not as simple as yellow makes you feel happy, some tones of yellow will make a baby colicky and cranky, blue can be calming or somber. Each space is unique and brings it's own elements to the table. Color used correctly can correct or compliment both the space and the elements in it.
Want an affordable way to create impact? Take a serious look at the colors your home is wearing. Do they work? Be honest with yourself. If the spaces need to be updated then arm yourself with paint and tools and for less than $100 a room your property can speak the buyer's language.Or hire a professional to do the painting.
Having trouble picking colors? I am a "Color with No Regrets Certified Consultant", (CNRCC), trained to help you build a color story that will enhance your entire property. No need struggle and live with paint samples painted on the walls for months, in 2 hours you can have all the right answers. We will build a color story and create your own personalized Perfect Palette that will transform your home. Color Consultations start at $150.
To take it a step further, you can get Home Staging Consultation for $150. We will talk furniture placement and arrangement, what to keep and what to pack away, how to set up lifestyle vignettes throughout the house that will leave the buyer thinking about how wonderful the home lives. We will talk style and color, accessories, fabrics, furniture and florals. I will make the most of what you already own and leave you with a shopping list so you can make the most of your staging budget. I will share with you all the staging secrets and advice that you need to stage your property yourself. Don't want to stage it yourself, then I can provide you with a quote for a turn key staging solution.
Staging does not have to be expensive. So whatever the size of your budget, use it to set yourself up for a successful marketing experience and get that property SOLD!
