How To Stage Your Home & Put It On The Real Estate Fast Track!

Home staging is a hot topic these days in the real estate world and there is good reason for this. Today's economy has produced a flood of homes for sale all over the country and this means you need to take steps to make your home stand out among the rest. Home staging, simply put, means seeing your home through the buyer's eye and creating a space that will have universal appeal.

The two different senarios for homes on the market are those which are occupied and those which are vacant. Each offers a different set of problems, however, the bottom line is the buyer has to feel a connection with the space and be able to envision themselves living in the home if they are going to make an offer.

If you have your home on the market and still reside there, you need to consider what a buyer sees when stepping through your doorway. There will be an immediate perception and it needs to be a positive one if you hope to sell your home. Can they see themselves living in this home or is your personality so prominent that this would be difficult?

The link below is a Taylored Interiors "Designer Showcase" video on Home Staging. You will see before and afters of a home staging and hear tips on how to accomplish this in your own home.

Click Here For The Designer Showcase segment on Home Staging by Tressa Taylor

Tip 1: First impressions linger!
The place to start staging your home is at the front door. A fresh coat of paint on the front door, gleaming hardware, a welcoming mat and a trio of pots with seasonal plants will go far to welcome guests into your home.

Tip 2: Open The Door & Set The Mood!
The entry will set the tone for the rest of your home so make sure it is inviting. If you don't have a foyer, define one! A bench or settee can be placed to provide a visual break from the entryway and the other living space. Then create an attractive vignette with a console table, mirror or artwork, and a trio of accessories.

Tip 3: The clutter must go!
Take a deep breath and start clearing it out. If you have a lot of clutter you may need to use containers or boxes to divide and conquer. One for storage, one for trash and one to donate to your favorite charity. Family photos should be kept to a minimum while your home is on the market and preferably placed in more intimate places such as a bedroom. Remember, the buyer needs to envision them in the home, not your family!

Tip 4: Don't get your back up against the wall!
Get that furniture out in the room and not lined up against the wall. Create a figure 8 or H with furniture placement to allow good traffic flow and still maintain a pleasing conversation area. This new furniture arrangement will put a fresh face on the space.

Tip 5: Let the Sun Shine In!
Literally lighten up your home's interiors and get rid of the dark and dreary. Open the blinds and replace or remove heavy drapery. Create layers of light with lamps at varying heights and don't forget to turn them on! Lighting is the first layer of design and nothing will looks it's best without illumination.