Follow the 3 Golden Rules of Staging to Get Your Charlotte Home SOLD!

I recently had a vacant home that was screaming for staging! The Sellers priced the home ‘to sell’ at below market value in lieu of staging. What happened? More price reductions. When the Sellers agreed that staging seemed ‘hopeful,’ we brought a stager in.

What happened? The home sold within DAYS! 82-90% of homebuyers cannot visualize themselves in a home that is vacant. (That’s a powerful statistic that is oh, so true!) Many Sellers do not want to spend the upfront money it costs to stage but, the ROI on staging is typically over 500%…yes, that’s 5-0-0!

When it comes to staging your home to sell in which you’re currently residing, staging is still an important aspect of successfully selling your home but, it can be done yourself with a little guidance. Here are the three golden rules to help you make it work for YOU!

Forgot The Front?

Because we tend to enter the home from the driveway or garage portion of the home, only opening the front door to allow guests in, the front is often forgotten when staging. However, the very first thing a potential Buyer is going to notice is the landscaping and the FRONT of the home. Ensure that the grass is cut and any stray plants or weeds are trimmed or pulled. Pick up the kids toys that are strewn about the lawn and clean up your front door, porch (including the furniture) and windows. Oftentimes a fresh coat of paint – even a different color paint – will make the front of your home really ‘pop’ for your potential Buyers. The old rule of thumb, “You only get one chance to make a first impression” is definitely applicable here!

Match it Up!

There are no certainties that the design aesthetic you have is going to appeal to your potential Buyers but, they certainly will notice if your home is completely out of touch with the décor. “Match” your accent pieces and add a pop of color with throw pillows that are in tune with your home’s design. In other words, you don’t want mid-century modern accessories in an obviously traditional Colonial! If you’re unsure, have a stager or your Realtor® give you pointers.

No Distractions, Please!

Personal style that gives off the sense that you really live in your home will draw in the Offers but, don’t overdo it. The best advice we can give you is to remember that a beautifully decorated home is NOT the same as a well-staged home. You’ll want to open up those rooms (fewer pieces of furniture to make the space look larger) and keep your decorating to a minimum so that it is not distracting the viewers. Instead of going for big, over-the-top pieces, stick to a style that’s neat and tidy with some quaint accents that will play it up. A few brightly cultured coffee table books or an unusual light fixture can go a long way in adding interest to your living space!

It may seem like a lot to do to properly stage a home but, by using these golden rules you should be well on your way to a successful sale of your Charlotte home. If you’re currently thinking of selling your Charlotte home, give us a call for more information on staging and the process of marketing your home to SELL.