As we know today’s buyers are very savvy and know what they want and are willing to pay for it. Since 98% of buyers start their search on line pictures are worth a thousand words, so before pictures are taken the scene needs to be set for each room.
Making sure the look and feel of the home appeals to the target buyer is one of the first steps in properly preparing the home for sale. Before setting the stage make sure to determine a realistic budget for the seller so that they will receive the best ROI (Return On Investment). Consider focusing on the main selling rooms (Entrance, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Family Room and Master Bedroom and En-Suite) if the budget is limited.
I always recommend try and work with what the seller has in their home first before bringing in anything. This will keep the budget to a minimum as it is about helping the seller make money rather then spending it. Consider your focal points and what you need to bring in from your inventory, from a furniture rental company or move from other rooms in the home to create the WOW factor in each space.
Buyers only see what is put in front of them so staging each room for its intended use will allows them to see how their furniture will fit. Make sure that the furniture and accessories compliment the style of the home, so that it will show the homes best features.
Having a well dressed home prior to going on the market will allow the real estate agent to do their job, which is market and sell. A well dressed home will sell faster and for more money. In the end it is a WIN WIN situation for all parties involved including you as the stager. You are part of the agents team so making sure to always put your best foot forward will in turn help you grow your business because agents really do recommend their stagers to other agents and agents want to work with professional home stagers who make their job easier.
Setting the stage will get you noticed!!!!
Carla Woolnough
Carla Woolnough is the founder and owner of Stage to Fit Inc a furniture rental and sales company specializing in short term rentals located in Mississauga Ontario, Canada. She is also the founder and owner of professional home staging, decorating and renovation company Nex-Step Design. Carla has staged thousands of homes for resale, maximizing potential selling prices and minimizing on-market listing times for her clients.
Carla is also the co-creator and national spokesperson for RE/MAX Canada’s Fit to Sell program which educates agents and home owners about the necessity of preparing their home for sale. Committed to educating homeowners and realtors who would prefer to stage their homes or listings themselves, Carla has created the self-help How To Stage Your Own Home DVD series. This innovative series includes step-by-step "how-to" teaching tips which will help maximize equity and minimize the listing time. Carla grew up in a real estate family and resides in Guelph, Ontario, Canada with her contractor husband Scott Woolnough.
