When It Comes To Staging Your Home Think - MONEY!

When it comes to Staging your home remember toon walls overall!As in model merchandising, I would still
think - MONEY! Today's buyer is picky, and lookingrecommend you use bolder colors to accent key
for the PERFECT home. You know, the one thatareas or architectural details to give the home wamth
looks like a model. They no longer are willing to walkand personality.
into a well-used home to visualize!In Model Merchandising, designers generally will have
Because of the huge inventory of homes thatmore flexibility to create their own story because
builders are now sitting on - and paying interest on -noone is actually living in the home. We research the
realtors and homesellers are having to find new waysdemographics of the area, and are able to specifically
to compete more than ever before. Builders, as mosttarget that market. For example, we may show you
know, have been merchandising their model homesa teenaged girls bedroom who happens to be a
for years because they know this is what it takes tocheerleader for the local high school - or possibly a
get their homes sold fast, and for more MONEY.boys room, who obviously is on the football team for
They simply figure in their cost of merchandising as ayour State University. If the home is located in a
cost of doing business, knowing they will net a largegolfing community we will make sure to include a set
return on their investment! Also, new home buildersof clubs in the master bedroom closet. In both home
have begun lowering prices, offering HUGE incentivesstaging and model merchandising, the goal is the
i.e. free upgrade packages, paying closing costs, andsame . . . to sell your buyer on the home . . . both as
even putting a car, color of your choice, in thea product, and a lifestyle!
garage for you in order to boost sales and reduce* Aroma - In Home Staging, smells always need to
their inventory. These are the builders you, asbe objectively and gently addressed by the stager -
individual realtors and sellers, are now in competitionas an outsider. Homes that have been lived in have
with!inherrent odors, which are often not detected by
As a professional designer in Central Florida, I havethose living there, as they have become desensitized
worked with these builders for more than twentyto them over time. Check soft agents, (i.e.carpeting,
years. I can tell you what is involved in Merchandisingdrapery, fabrics on furniture, etc.), as these fibers will
a Model Home versus Home Staging an existingabsorb odors. Do a PET CHECK to remove any stains
home. You will find there are many more similaritiesor signs of Felix or Fido! If these odors cannot
than differences when the existing home is wellsuccessfully be steam cleaned out of the fibers then
staged.REPLACE, REPLACE . . . REPLACE! Nothing can kill a
In the following are highlights of some of thesesale faster, or cause a bigger price reduction than
similarities and differences:offensive odors that could, and should have been
* Remove all clutter - In Home Staging this is apreviously addressed!
fundamental rule. Remove all clutter from every roomInModel Merchandising, creating pleasant aromas
. . . including closets and drawers. (Trust me, thematter. Again, though models are easier as there has
buyer will be looking!) Don't forget corners andbeen noone yet living there, we still pay very special
countertops, and remove unnecessay pieces ofattention when addressing this to detail. We often
furniture that you have inherited from your Greathave to caution the sales people NOT to cook their
Aunt Gertrude. Get rid of it. Decluttering makeslunches or burn bags of popcorn in the microwaves.
rooms look and feel larger, (remember they arePeople will buy not only what they see . . . but what
buying square footage) as well as sends thethey smell!
important message to the buyer that "this is a homeNatural, clean scents are preferrable for both homes
that has been well loved and cared for!"that have been staged or merchandised. Fresh
In Model Merchandising our job is much easier. Nooneflowers, potpourri, herbs, and of course fresh air.
has yet 'lived' in the home so we don't have years ofOpen up the home as much as possible before
'stuff'' to declutter. We do have to know whenshowing. Avoid unnatural scents such as plug ins,
enough is enough though. Accessories and furnituresprays and oils as a consideration for those with
are used to profile a lifestyle, create memory points,allergies. These methods are often even more
emotional connections and the WOW effect . . . alloffensive than the odors you're trying to eliminate!
which will translate into a 'great first impression' when* Setting the Mood - For Home Staging and Model
people enter the home. But good modelMerchandising alike, this is a very important
merchandisers know when it's time to stop. Theircomponent to successful selling. Open blinds, turn ALL
main function is to showcase the model so the HOMEfans and lights on, have soft classical or smooth jazz
takes center stage . . . NOT the furnishings. Thissoftly playing in the background . . . SET THE STAGE!
translates into open, airy, light, balanced . . . and yes .Remember, home buying is an emotional purchase,
. . UNCLUTTERED rooms.and, for most of us, one of the largest investments
* Check your walls - In Home Staging the premise iswe will make. Home Staging statistically has been
to depersonalize the home as much as possible. Whileproven to be one of the most effective and
you enjoy your walls that are galleried with familyaffordable ways to give realtors and home sellers a
photographs and hand made works of art from yourmuch needed competitive edge for this slower
children - your potential buyer will not. And neutralizemarket . . . transforming homes into a showplace
the color choices for your walls overall, to appeal todesigned to appeal to the broadest range of potential
the broadest band of buyers. Note: I said go neutralbuyers!