CALL TODAY
651-815-2949

Home Staging FAQs & TIPS

TIPS | FAQs

Statistically, the more preparation you put into a home prior to listing on the market, the less time your house will take to sell. Use a proactive approach to selling your home by following these Top 10 Home Staging Tips & Techniques.

1) Cut the Clutter

Start the packing process early by removing the clutter in your house. Small knick-knacks, collectibles, excess toys, and miscellaneous papers should all be removed before showing your house to buyers. Removing clutter will instantly increase the visual size of your room. Remember, you are selling your house not your stuff.

2) De-Personalize Your Accessories

Continue packing by removing personal photos, awards, collectibles, and other individualized items. De-personalizing your home allows buyers to envision themselves living in the house. When buyers see your personal photos or collectibles displayed in the house, the only person they can imagine in the house is you.

3) Clean Your Room

You are in competition with many other houses as well as new construction homes. Make your house feel as fresh as possible by thoroughly cleaning everything from light fixtures to baseboards.

4) Reduce Unwanted Odors

Odors can get trapped in carpeting, draperies, and other fabrics. Deep cleaning help eliminate any odors left by pets, smoking, or cooking. Odor imbedded in walls can be contained by using a high quality primer prior to painting. Don't rely on candles or heavy room sprays to cover up unwanted scents; it is best to get rid of the source of the odor.

5) Re-Arrange Furniture

Furniture layout determines the visual size and "flow" of the room. Take note of how the furniture is placed in your house. Is there a focal point in each room? Are there easy pathways around the furniture? Try a few different layouts to see what looks best. Move unneeded pieces to the garage or a storage unit.

6) Choose Proper Color Choices

Choose the colors of your walls wisely Consider soft, neutral colors for your walls to appeal to a broader range of buyers while avoiding stark white or paint that is too bright. Choose wisely, wall color sets the atmosphere in a room.

7) Select Proper Decor Placement

Place only a few, key decorative elements in focal points of each room. Leaving minimal decor pieces allow buyers to see the house and not be distracted by the decorations. Properly placed home accents sell the life-style when you are marketing your house.

8) Finish Those Projects

Leaky faucets, holes in the wall, and loose stepping stones should all be addressed before listing your house for sale. Completed projects will give buyers a well-maintained image of your house.

9) Use Professional Photos

A beautifully staged home and great photography go hand-in-hand. Most people search the internet prior to scheduling a visit to the property. Let your house be represented online at it's best by insisting on high quality photos.

10) Ask For Help

When in doubt, call a professional. KFM Staging & Design, LLC can get you started by completing a detailed consultation that any "do-it-yourself" seller should be able to follow. No time to stage your house? We can do the staging for you!

To see examples of these tips in practice,
view our Home Staging Gallery

The worst thing you can do when selling your home is... nothing.

Home Staging FAQs

Do I really need to stage my home? Can I stage my own home? Are all stagers the same? Can I get a consultation and do the work myself? Should I put my house on the market first to see if it sells before I stage? Isn't staging and decorating the same thing? Will a vacant property show larger if it's unfurnished? Doesn't staging cost a lot of money?

Do I really need to stage my home?

Staging is not a guarantee of sale for your home; however, it increases the probability that it will sell quicker than a non-staged property.

Staging gives the best representation of your home to attract the most amount of buyers. It also draws on buyers' emotions which is an effective factor in marketing real estate.

Can I stage my own home?

Many times it's difficult for home owners to look at their house objectively, because they are accustomed to their surroundings. A professional home stager will view your property as a buyer and assist in the removal of negative factors.

Are all stagers the same?

Home staging companies are indiviually owned and operate using their own set of guidelines. KFM Staging & Design, LLC applies our years of personal experience and formal training to help home owners prepare their home for the market. Our professional services inform sellers about staging techniques without insulting their personal style. Keep in mind that your home is usually your biggest investment in life. Bargain stagers or free advice from friends and family may not give you the greatest return on your staging investment.

Can I get a consultation and do the work myself?

Yes. KFM Staging & Design, LLC's consultations are compreshenve in scope which any "do-it-yourself" person should be able to follow. We are also available to answer any questions that may arise after we leave the property.

Should I put my house on the market first to see if it sells before I stage?

This method is not recommended. Think about the importance of first impressions... the first few weeks on the market draw the greatest amount of buyers. The greatest chance of selling quickly is to have the best representation of your home right from day one.

top

Isn't staging and decorating the same thing?

Staging uses methods specifically designed with the buyer in mind, while decorating uses the current home owner's individual tastes and styles. The goal is to have a stylish house with a desireable atmosphere without being too specific on theme.

Will a vacant property show larger if it's unfurnished?

Although an empty room my show larger, vacant properties that remain unfurnished lack the "home-like" atmosphere that buyers desire.

Providing furniture and decor to high priority areas in vacant listings accomplish the following: 1) establishes focal points and traffic patterns in the rooms, 2) provides a sense of scale in photographs, and 3) adds atmosphere that attracts buyers to the lifestyle of the property.

Doesn't staging cost a lot of money?

Staging is an investment in the sale of your property. The average cost of staging is usually MUCH LESS than your first price reduction. Statistically, the more preparation that is put into the property prior to listing, the less time it will be on the market.

top