... often times a Home Owner has difficulty determining what needs to stay and what needs to go. The subject of staging often comes up in the lunchroom and/or inner corridors of a real estate office, as many agents have difficulty in asking a Seller to clean it up. They find it to be rude and offensive. As a result, they aren't proactive in the staging process of their own listings.
HUGE MISTAKE.
I have always viewed staging from a very different point of view. No one, or shall I say very few homeowners, live list-ready. I know that I don't?! Let's face it, the majority of us believe that a house is meant to be a HOME and is to be lived in. Most people don't want to live in a museum.
That being said, once a home owner decides to move on, their house immediately goes from a home to a property that needs massive appeal and draw. Hence, the approach to home preparation must immediately become subjective and about 1 thing: getting that property in tip-top shape ensuring an expedient sale while maximizing profit potential. Period.
Proper staging showcases a property's features, making them standout and shine so the property can sell itself. Most Sellers need guidance in achieving this. Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy and most Sellers truly appreciate the advice. If a Realtor is not honest with their client, they are doing them a huge disservice. In addition, they are wasting their own time, energy, and money on a property that likely will not sell.
10 years in Real Estate- I know what works. I know what a Buyer looks for and desires. I know what pre-listing makeovers and renos are worth the money and what aren't. I know where extra care needs to be taken. It is VITAL to convey these things to your client, particularly in this market. I have a detailed checklist for deep cleaning and staging ideas that I supply to all of my clients as a starting point. Prior to photographing the house, I am very active in getting the property ready for sale. You have to be, particularly in this Buyer-driven market.
This subject crossed my mind this AM, when I came across this cute South County ranch during my daily MLS client searches...
This property is the PERFECT example of the importance of staging. Despite being the victim of a Realtor who does not have a great eye for the angles and composition necessary for decent home photography, this poor property was also not decluttered. The average eye focuses on stuff, rather than the fantastic vaulted ceilings...
Stuff rather than the beautiful hardwood floors...
Stuff rather than the fireplace and built-ins...
Stuff rather than the sizable dining area...
It is an unfortunate situation, as this property is located in a desirable part of town and offers a lot of bang for the buck. That being said, with now over 300 cumulative days on the market over the span of 3 listing periods... the property is heading into foreclosure per the listing agent. It makes one wonder, how much the lack of staging/decluttering and poor photography had to do with that...
