For many home owners that are looking to sell their property, the possibility of using a home stager is something that they may not be aware of. As a result, there may be several misconceptions when it comes to the service that is delivered and what exactly a home stager is. For those looking to sell their home, choosing the right home stager is almost as important as choosing the correct realtor.

Buying a property is the most expensive investment a person will likely ever make. It sits at the top of the list of most stressful purchases, and people do not make this decision lightly. When it comes to choosing the right property, many look for their dream home right away. Due to the critical nature of the transaction, it is important to choose a professional home stager that can give your property the image that it deserves and needs for it to reach the selling price you expect.

However, choosing the right home stager is not necessarily an easy choice. When it comes to showcasing your property, this really can turn out to be an expensive decision due to a reduction in the selling price if you choose the wrong stager.

Reputable home stagers have a portfolio for potential clients to browse. This may be on their website or alternatively a photography album of successful home staging projects, and this is a one key consideration in choosing whether they are the right person for the job. It is also vitally important that people check to make sure that home stagers have significant practical experience of getting other similarly priced properties ready for the market, and also that they are abreast of current trends in the local real estate market. Finally, referrals typically helps the home seller feel more comfortable.

While it is important to ensure that your property seller finds the correct stager, it is just as important to ensure that your personal style and taste does not affect your stagers. On some occasions, people may choose home stagers only to end up effectively imposing their own personal style in the project because they do not agree with some of the recommended changes. The truth of the matter is that you hired the home stager as a professional who is adept at getting your home ready to sell, not getting your home ready to live in. The ideal result you really want is for your property may be staged to suit the demographic that is particularly abundant your local area.

By taking your time in choosing the right home stager, you can be assured that they will have a major benefit for your property sale. Making a mistake and choosing someone that has little experience or real estate market awareness will likely reflect in the price you obtain for your property. Take our advice and look for someone who has the practical experience, market savvy and supporting customer testimonials to get your property the price it deserves.

We all know that Home Staging is the art of decorating a home to sell quickly and for top dollar. It is the most proven way to get the highest selling price for a property as you prepare it for sale.

An important thing for both Real Estate Agents and Home Stagers to remember is that before you start the staging process, you need to do research about whom is most likely going to buy the house, otherwise known as the TARGET MARKET.

Staging is not just about hanging up some art, sticking a tree in the corner and adding pretty pillows to the sofa. This seems to be the misconception sometimes.

Haven’t we all received phone calls from potential customers who tell us, “Oh, there’s not much to be done. Just a few accessories will do the trick”. That’s someone who doesn’t truly understand the psychology behind Staging. It’s part of your marketing plan and should be very strategic.

By knowing who the target market is, you will be able to design a lifestyle around that to appeal to that specific group of potential buyers and the real estate agent can design a marketing plan specifically to attract those same people.

So next time you’re commissioned to transform a property into a marketable showcase, ask yourself (or the real estate agent):

- Who are the prospective buyers?

- What do they like?

- Do they have kids?

- Do they have pets?

- Do their parents live with them?

Here are 5 reasons why you should know who the buyers will be:

1. You can cater the property to them.

2. You can draw immediate attention and instant appeal.

3. You can fix up the property faster and more economically.

4. The house will sell faster.

5. The sellers will save time and ultimately, money.

To elaborate on who the prospective buyers is, you want to know the following:

- Where are they from?

- What is their background?

- What is their ethnic heritage?

Scope out the neighborhood and get to know the neighbors so you learn what type of person is likely to move into the neighborhood. Generally speaking, there is a commonality amongst neighbors.

Visit competing homes for sale to see what those homes have to offer to give you a better sense of the types of upgrades that may or may not be needed. Notice the likes and dislikes of the neighborhood.

Are all the yards well maintained? Are they privacy seekers? Is there a sense of community? It’s important to take their lifestyles into consideration so you can design the right way to market the property to that type of person.

Is this community mostly filled with starter families? If so, staging bedrooms for young kids would be a good idea. Otherwise, if the neighborhood consists mostly of older kids, you’ll need to design more sophisticated spaces.

Are they huge sports fans? Capitalizing on a homey family room with a BIG plasma TV would be ideal for that type of neighborhood.

Is it in a golf community? Perhaps creating a study with a golf theme is just the thing you need or maybe a coastal or beach themed space in a water community or designing a floor plan that takes advantage of fantastic views.

If you’re ever in doubt about how to create buyer appeal that caters to a specific target market, visit new home developments in your area and see how they have designed their model units. Developers spend a lot of time and money doing market research about who their potential buyers will be and relay that information to their model home designers.

The style and décor needs to match the neighborhood, the home, and most importantly, the target market. For example, if it’s a 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo in the city or a more metropolitan part of town, the likely target market is a single person - a bachelor or bachelorette or even a young couple.

The ideal buyer is most likely someone in their 20s. Their lifestyle is going to be very carefree because there are no “family” considerations. Their style is probably going to be more contemporary and edgy. The second bedroom could be staged as a home office because that’s probably what it would be used for. Staging it as a guest bedroom or a nursery is going to be less appealing.

On the flip side, if it’s a 4-bedroom, 2-bath, single family home in the suburbs, this is a classic family home. The potential buyer or “target market” is going to be a couple with a growing family. Their lifestyle is going to be very family-oriented so the family room and kitchen areas are very important as this is where they will be spending most of their time. The décor should be more relaxed and family friendly.

You’ll need to work with the real estate agent to know who the potential buyers are and deliver the perfect house to them. Figure out what they want versus what they need. Remember, it’s not about you or the seller; it’s what the buyers want that will sell the house.

You need a focused design plan to create the results the seller wants. When they learn that your services are more strategic and designed to help them achieve their goals, they’ll be more inclined to refer you and want to work with you. Your goals should always be to position yourself as a value added service, not a frivolous expense.

Copyright (c) 2009 Alice Chan

If you are one of the millions of homeowners attempting to sell your home, you’ve undoubtedly been told that times are tough. Not only are homes all over the country losing value, but sellers have to contend with deeply discounted foreclosures and the credit freeze that prevents anyone without perfect credit from getting financed. So what is the secret to selling in today’s market? If you are really serious about selling, you have to be diligent in the one thing that real estate experts say time and time again will make your home stand out in a crowd. The answer is: Staging.

Chances are, if you’ve bought or sold (or just like watching HGTV) in the past few years, you’ve heard of the term “staging.” Staging is the art of preparing your home to appeal to the most buyers through de-cluttering, organizing, cleaning and repairing, and then marketing to your target audience. The last one may sound like a business pitch, but it is vitally important. The first four on the list are not only important, but will benefit your family and your well-being by bringing about a change and newness to your home and ultimately prepare you for your next move.

De-Cluttering:
This can be a touchy subject for some people. We all know that many items in our home are sentimental but when you have to resort to trailblazing a path to the front door, it’s time to let go. If you MUST keep 103 copies of Better Homes and Gardens, rent a storage unit while your house is for sale. You will get back the money you spend when your house sells faster and who knows, you may even learn to enjoy the extra space!! De-cluttering also includes de-personalizing. Start your packing early by putting family photos, heirlooms and other personal items in storage. Replace them with neutral accents or nothing at all. A buyer has to feel as if the home they walk into could be their home.

Organizing:
This goes right along with de-cluttering. Organization and placement of items in your home will not only make your rooms and closets look much larger, it will show the buyer that the current owners are organized and accountable and believe it or not, trustworthy. Check out home décor magazines for inspiration and ideas.

Cleaning and Repairing:
We all put off home repair or remodeling projects due to lack of funds, schedules and other priorities, but now is the time to get serious. Any project that has been left undone needs to be finished or at least finished to the best of your ability/budget. This will be your advantage over foreclosures; many of them are left dirty and in disrepair. If your home shines and looks well cared for, the buyer’s perception is their reality! The number one complaint from real estate agents who show or visit your home is a lack of cleanliness. Cleanliness also happens to be the hardest part of staging. If you have animals or children, you undoubtedly find a mess as soon as one is cleaned up. Deep cleaning is the first step. Clean your drapes, dust your window blinds, and by all means, keep your kitchen spotless! If you are leaving the appliances, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned with a grease cleaner, oven cleaner or specialty cleaning agent for your appliance. Don’t forget the top of the refrigerator and range hood! You never know how tall your potential buyers may be! Then have your family make a pact and be diligent about it until the house is sold.

Reaching your target audience:
This is where the little touches make a big difference. Make sure your home is inviting from the inside out. Neutral paint on in the interior, adding greenery on tables and shelves, and dressing up the front porch or entry with a wreath or nice patio furniture will all make an excellent first impression. Put away any kids’ toys in the front yard and hide garbage cans the best that you can. Don’t forget to make a lasting impression by having a sheet with all of your home’s information– schools, shopping, library, golf course, etc. And last but not least, treat your potential buyers like a new friend: have warm coffee or tea brewing, bottled water and cookies or other snacks readily available in the kitchen.

These are the very basics of home staging. You can find many more tips and suggestions on the internet, home and garden programs or with your real estate company. Also, there are many professional home stagers who will do the job for you. If the project overwhelms you, this may be a practical and worthwhile solution. Find these professionals online, in the phonebook, ask a friend, or enquire in your local chamber of commerce.

The benefits of home staging are lasting long after the ink is dry on the contract. You may just make a habit of staging your next home…for yourself!

Most Sellers set their initial asking price at an amount somewhat higher than they are actually willing to accept, fully expecting a buyer to open the bidding with a lesser amount.

While price is the most frequently negotiated item in any home sale, you may be able to creatively provide financial value to your buyer - without lowering the price alone.

major appliances such as your stove, fridge, dishwasher and microwave offer good negotiating power - while you’ll likely be including some of them in your asking price, consider excluding some from the listing (the washer and dryer perhaps) to use as a future bargaining chip;

window treatments, air conditioners, central vac, and ceiling fans are other extras that might entice your buyer and can be easily included later on in a counter-offer;

study your buyers’ personal situation and think of ingenious ways to sweeten the offer that makes sense for both of you - if they’re first time buyers and you are moving to a condo, include the lawn mower and gardening tools (or other items you may be planning to dispose of) in your next counter-offer;

if your existing mortgage rate is lower than current market rates and your mortgage is assumable, consider offering it to your buyers for savings they can count on after the closing - they’ll enjoy monthly savings over the remainder of the mortgage term;

If you are serious about selling, don’t price yourself out of the market. Overpricing is, by far, the most common error sellers make. Although you might think of it as “leaving room for negotiation”, you might only scare off potential buyers who could pass over it for more reasonably priced homes.

They can’t buy it if they don’t see it, so get them in the door. Better to stand firm on a lower asking price than risk discouraging buyers and creating a stale selling environment.

To help you determine your asking price, contact a CRA (Certified Residential Appraiser) for a full market analysis and property appraisal and then set your asking price accordingly.

A home staging is the first chance for potential buyers to form that all-important first impression of your home. Home sales can make or break your chances of selling your real estate property, so you should make sure to take the proper steps to make yours a success.

Don’t show a dirty house. You may think that it goes without saying that it is important to clean your house from top to bottom, but your definition of clean may not be enough in this case. People look everywhere when they are touring homes, including in closets, cabinets, laundry rooms, dresser drawers, under the bed, etc. This means that your laundry room, your closets, cabinets, storage areas, etc. all need to be cleaned and de cluttered. Look at it as your opportunity to get rid of some of that junk that you have been needlessly storing.

Keep in mind that many different people will likely, or hopefully anyway, be touring your home, and that some people are overly sensitive to smells and to pets as well. Do not assume that an over powering floral fragrance is the best way to attract potential buyers, and do not assume that everyone who walks through the front door will fall in love with your cat, fish, macaw, giant iguana who normally has free reign of the house, etc.

The goal of a home staging is to create a feel of depersonalization, because people want to picture themselves living in your home, which probably won’t happen if they are bombarded with your counter top clutter, your family photos on the walls, and your other personal items throughout the house.

The appearance of your yard is also a crucial factor. This is the first thing that potential buyers will see when they arrive at your house, and overgrown shrubs, un-mowed yards, and unkempt flower beds practically scream neglect and make people wonder what the inside of your house must look like if the front of the house looks so terrible. Unfinished landscaping jobs and outside repair jobs do not scream DIY paradise, unless of course your home is listed as a DIY, fixer upper, or in as is condition, in which case, you probably would not be having a home staging in the first place.

Keep these home selling don’ts in mind, and you will be well on your way to avoiding some of the most common mistakes that home sellers make.

Real Estate is one of those industries that you can mold. It is known that by making changes, even the slightest ones can make or break a sale. By the same token, some sales can be higher with certain fixes. Adding value to your real estate can be as easy as planting a rose bush.

So what are people looking for in a home? This is a question that does not have an answer. Each person likes different things and a home is definitely no exception. When it comes to a home, we can only make generalizations and follow a pre-determined outline that seems to have worked for years.

Some aspects that increase home value are the following:

1. Landscape: Curb appeal is a big to-do in the real estate market. This is the first impression and is what draws buyers in for a closer look. If there is no curb appeal, expect people to pass by, consider then forget, or lower their bid offer.

2. Flooring: This will vary depending on where you are at, however, flooring in general will increase or decrease value on a home. For example, in Florida, a home is worth more if it is tiled, even over hardwood flooring. However, in some other areas, hardwood flooring would be more desirable. It really comes down to the lifestyle and what generally works for a localized area.

3. Neutral colors: A home that has neutral colors feels cleaner and more inviting to the ideas and imaginations of buyers. A home that is very colorful and over powering could intimidate the buyer and feel it cannot be changed, even though it is simple paint.

4. Fence: This will increase the home’s value greatly. A fence can appeal to a wide range of people. It appeals on different levels; for example, a parent might like it because it keeps their child safer and confined to one spot. On the other hand, another person might like it for its privacy factor. Whichever the case, it appeals widely.

5. The neighborhood: if you are in a desirable neighborhood, you will have an increase on your home automatically.

6. Land: Any home that is on water, near water or on acres will see an increase in home value automatically.

In general, anything you upgrade will have some factor in raising the value of the home. Some improvements might be minor and raise the value significantly. Other improvements might cost more and only raise the value slightly. The best thing to keep in mind is to do the improvement for you when residing in the home.

When you are doing improvements, make sure you are doing them with quality intentions. A home can be decreased in value if the work being done is not quality and half complete. It is important to either know what you are personally doing or hire a professional to complete the work for you. There is nothing worse looking than someone who attempted a project and didn’t finish it. This could kill the value of your home.

To prevent open house flopping, it is critical to do the best fast sell staging possible. This means that you have to remember that you are creating a scene where your home is no longer designed to be lived in, but designed to sell. Whether the market is up or down, staging done properly will result in a faster and more profitable sale.

Staging your home allows for a broader appeal to buyers, a fast sale, reduced time on market and maximized profits. It is imperative to do this but, as many real estate agents will attest to, private open houses are far more beneficial and effective compared to public ones. A public open house allows anyone in and usually just browsers. A private open house has real buyers with genuine interest, so it is important to keep these people in mind when staging your home. Proper staging expands your home’s appeal and is proven to maximize sellers’ profits while minimizing time on the market.

In the competitive real estate market, staging is an imperative tool. Realtors are now actively promoting staging to their clients. Everyone understands that an open house can flop if the staging is not done right. However, there are tricks that are commonly used, very similar to those used on movie sets, that make your home inviting and comforting to all the buyers that see it. People will want to stay awhile and picture in their minds how their things can be arranged in the rooms, even to sit and contemplate. This stage of comfort is probably the most important thing that you should aim to achieve when staging your home.

Do you think that your grandmother or mother is just fussing when they tell you that spotless is best? Think again. No one likes to visit a home that is dusty, has flicks of dirt stuck in crevices or corners, fingerprints on walls or poorly polished mirrors. Why? Simple - it looks and feels dirty, disgusting and the very thought of putting their things in a home that may have more lurking elsewhere, maybe bugs or disease, will turn people off very quickly. If necessary get someone to clean it for you. Obviously there is no point polishing the brasses and sterilizing the entire place if you just move your clutter back into place. Do not think of hiding them in closets or garages or any hidden location, not even the attic or loft because people look there. No one wants to see your aging collections or your mountain of books so put it all into storage and make it look like a tidy vacation place that anyone would feel happy in. If you do these things then you are guaranteed to have higher offers and a fast sale.

So, your home has been carefully planned out, it is spotless and all that clutter has disappeared. Are you ready to open your house? No - if you do then count on a possible flop, even after all that effort. Fast sell staging is again like setting up a scene for a movie. It either has what it takes or it fails miserably. Have you thought about how your home smells? I am not necessarily talking about pet smells, though if your home smells like wet dog, please do something about it before trying to sell! What I am talking about is people smell. Every family leaves their own natural smells and most people find at least someone in this world that does not have that appealing odor. Resolve it by making your home smell sweet, clean and inviting. This can be done by positioning candles that are subtly scented with the same aroma throughout the house, but ensure that they are located where they cannot be knocked off or accidentally fall to the ground and cause of fire. For a safer option, make cookie dough and do not divide it up, but bake the entire dough piece only a very low heat so that the house will be filled for hours with the aroma. Alternatively, fill a large pan with water, cinnamon, allspice and oranges and let it bake gently in oven. A citrus aroma can be more appealing than cookies but be careful not to trip a prospective buyer’s allergies!

Home staging is just as hot today as it was last year. In this tumultuous real estate market every small touch matters. Home stagers are learning that a few areas really bring the biggest bang for the buck for homeowners. Some of the home staging trends right now include:

Kitchens. Just a few years ago, the kitchen was considered to be just part of a closet, is now spruced up to have space for a small refrigerator, a one drawer dishwasher, crockery sets made of bone china, glass dishes, a sink, a counter and a fancy hi-end coffee maker are the most essential pre-requisites of a modern kitchen.

Media Rooms. A LCD projection TV with a large screen and a plush sofa is all you require to make your own media room. The media room is no longer a luxury restricted to the most affluent pop stars, movie stars and the super-rich but a basic necessity in nowadays’ houses.

Mud rooms with cubbies. I have always envied my friends who had mudrooms in their homes. All newly built homes do have mudrooms by the garage side or by the backdoor. Apart from the mudrooms, a lot of stand-alone pottery barns also look quite beautiful.

Laundry Rooms. There are more and more people who prefer a laundry room in the upstairs which is completely self-sufficient. People want to have a laundry room with enough space to wash, dry, fold, iron and in some cases even to sew clothes.

Complete closets. Closets are getting bigger - big enough to accommodate a divan or chaise, exercise equipment, books, etc are also getting the thumbs up from new home owners. There are some who even prefer to have a ballet bar or a wall of mirrors in their closet!

See through walls. See through gas hearths, aquariums etc are beginning to double-up as trendy and unconventional room dividers. Though it is quite prevalent in the west of USA it is not so prevalent in the north-east.

I often tell my clients that having their home for sale is not a natural lifestyle as everything has to be kept in tip top shape at all times. It’s a new year and the perfect time to be resolved about selling your home for top dollar. Involve the whole family in keeping a routine that keeps your house clean and clutter-free on a daily basis. Sometimes it is much easier to implement staging techniques than to actually maintain them.

Now that the holidays are over it is imperative that all remnants of the festivities and other seasonal décor is completely removed and packed away. And that means the outdoor lights and decorations as well! The problem with this is that your house will suddenly feel drab and a bit barren. But you can transform your home into a warm, cozy and inviting space by doing a real estate redesign. By applying the following tips your family will enjoy spending time by the fire on those long, wintry nights AND potential home buyers will emotionally respond to the newly created ambience.

• Rearrange the furniture to create intimate seating arrangements
• Create a good traffic flow
• Cover the floors with rich, dark area rugs such as Oriental ones
• Add a touch of black to ground the room and for a touch of sophistication (try a black lampshade or paint a small accent piece of furniture)
• Choose warm, warm, warm colors
• Add corduroy floor cushions stacked by the fireplace
• Place a basket filled with birch logs and sugar pinecones
• Toss more pillows and chenille throws on sofa and chairs
• Buy stacking baskets with lids to contain family room clutter
• Add vanilla or cinnamon scented candles and place throughout the house
• Replace a few light bulbs with amber tinted ones to create a wonderful soft glow to your rooms
• Use accessories sparingly but what you do use should have a dramatic impact
• Soften cocktail table or sofa table with a piece of rich fabric that compliments your décor
• Add live greenery
• Place copper pieces on countertops that will gleam under kitchen lights
• Keep a large bowl of fresh pears or apples on table or counter
• Spruce the bathrooms up with new shower curtains and fluffy hand towels

And even though the north winds howl you will have to brave the elements to make certain the outside of your home is just as appealing as the inside.

• Keep snow and slush cleared from door and on walks
• Eucalyptus wreaths are excellent winter choices to hang on the front door
• Add color to the landscape with large potted winterberry shrubs
• Choose planters that match your home’s style to fill and layer with a variety of fresh evergreens and large sugar pinecones (replace greenery as needed)
• Buy an attractive but sturdy new door mat
• Strategically place spot lighting to highlight shrubbery and light walkways
• Replace any door hardware that is showing any tarnish or wear
• Tighten anything “flapping in the wind”
• Hang a feeder in the back yard to attract colorful birds
• Cover the grill
• Make sure there are no summer items laying forlornly around the outside

Now go back inside and reward yourself with a cup of hot chocolate and daydream about selling your house and moving to Florida!

It is so exciting when you are staging your home for sale. Preparing your home to make an impact on potential buyers is fun and you only have one chance so you need to make sure you give it your best shot. The greatest benefit of staging your home for sale st that you will usually sell it for more than you originally expected. When multiple buyers are impressed with your house there can be a bidding war. Even if there is only one buyer interested in purchasing it, the greater impact that the staging has had on them will ensure that your asking price does not seem like too much.

There are many things that you can do when it comes to staging your home for sale. Take these ideas for example:

1. Remove Unattractive Features
Is there anything that you don’t like about the home? It is now time to get rid of it or update it. This would be a great time to update those lighting fixtures.

2. Painting
Putting a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color on your interior walls is easy and very inexpensive. If you are feeling really adventurous then consider painting the outside of your home too (depending upon what your home is made out of).

3. Declutter
It is amazing what some cleaning up does. Take a good look inside your home and see if anything can be removed to free up more space. Consider removing extra furniture, your collections, pack up most of your books and accessories, but leave a few. Rooms that are free of clutter will make your house look larger to buyers.

4. Landscaping
First impressions are everything. The outside of the house is the first thing buyers see when they drive up. Keep the lawn mowed. Have the kids bicycles and toys out of sight. You don’t need to renovate your garden, but by simply planting some nice plants and shrubs you can make a massive difference to the ‘curb appeal’ and character of your home. Choose native plants and trees and plan in advance to give them time to flower and blossom for the season.

5. Modernize
Just by changing drawer handles, curtains and other trimmings around the home you can give it a whole new look and really modernize the home on a budget. These days you can buy house accessories at a very affordable price from local hardware and home stores.

Staging your home for sale is the best possible way to maximize your asking price and get sold more quickly.