Showcase your property to attract buyers - The Indianapolis Star

By Mindy Weaver-Flask, For Custom Publications
Thursday, July 29, 2010

From the front door to the back door, a home must look it's best to sell quickly for the best price. A real estate stager can be a tremendous asset for sellers who need help getting their home ready for sale.

Set the stage

Staging is the practice of preparing or showcasing a residence or commercial property for sale. According to a report by the Real Estate Staging Association, 78 percent of vacant or occupied homes spend less time on the market when they're staged for sale. Plus, 90 percent of buyers look at homes online before they decide which ones to tour with their agent, so first impressions count.

Typically, a stager will meet with the home owner for a consultation, which costs from $150 to $250. At this meeting, the stager will walk with the seller through the house and note areas that need attention. The stager will draw attention to issues such as items that need to be painted, colors that should be changed and areas to be cleaned.

"We are looking at things like detailed cleaning-furnaces the baseboards, carpets to windows," said Linda Barnett, owner of Home Matters in Indianapolis.

Decluttering the house and cleaning even the smallest detail can make a difference to buyers. Homeowners also should update paint colors, replace old light fixtures and make minor repairs before putting the home on the market.

The sellers primary job is to help the buyer envision their own furnishings, accessories and family members in the rooms This is best achieved through depersonalization - removing photos, collectibles and other taste specific items.

"When we buy a house, we can't wait to put our own things in it," Barnett said.

Visualize your life

Trained stagers have experience and knowledge to make homes even more appealing to buyers. They also can set up the house to create a better flow from room to room. Stagers know how to arrange furniture, art and lighting for optimal effect.

"Some stagers offer what we call a labor - only rearrangement service, which is using what you have and setting it up differently than you live," Barnett said.

The actual staging service can cost about $350 for a half - day's work to $700 for a full day. Rented furniture and accessories cost extra.

Your Realtor can give you a referral for a good stager. When interviewing stagers for your project, ask them for credentials, including where they learned the trade and the names of clients they've served.

Deal Killers

Simple things left unattended can keep buyers away from your for - sale home. Attend to this to - do list before placing your home on the market.

• Thoroughly clean the house outside and inside.
• Declutter every room, removing and storing personal items.
• Eliminate odors. Smells associated with pets, cooking and smoking will make potential buyers run for the door.
• Finish repairs. Buyers don't want to inherit your incomplete projects.

Home Matters - (317) 209-9801 - Contact Us - Follow Us on Facebook