Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Spring Staging



The price on the property is just the first filter that a buyer uses, this is the reason they landed in your living room. They feel like your house is in their price range and they can afford it. The next filter is usually location. This deals with the livability quotient of the neighborhood. The schools, the neighbors, the style of homes, nearness to entertainment and shopping and last but not least safety. It does not matter how well priced or great looking the house is if the buyer is worried about their safety.

Once those boxes have been checked it is all about emotion, how the buyer feels in the property. That is the deal maker. When I was an active agent I would tell my buyers that they would know when we hit the right house, they would feel it. When the buyer finds a house that feels like home they will quickly begin drafting an offer.

Staging has a very seasonal aspect to it. If you want buyers to leave your house starry eyed and sold you have to appeal to more than their pocketbook, you have to appeal to all their senses.

That was the long path to what I wanted to say about the seasonal aspects. Always consider the season when setting the scene. Spring has sprung. I want my rooms to reflect new beginnings and be full of life and light. Fresh flowers, fruit bowls, flowering plants and a light hand with pops of vibrant color will bring the outdoors in.

Think about changing the art, lighten the floor coverings, and pay special attention to the outdoor spaces. Front porches, patios, and decks all become livable square footage when the weather is nice. An unstaged deck is a missed opportunity for both buyer and seller. Selling is stressful and chilling outdoors is one of the best ways to relieve that stress.