Very Important!  In our blog last month, we talked about the importance of your home’s curb appeal.  Now the prospective buyer is at your front door.  What will their impression be after they open the door and take their first step inside?  This is where “staging” plays an important role.

There is a difference between decorating and staging a home.  Decorating is the furnishing and decoration of a room; it’s your personal style.  Staging involves removing your personal style/personality from the rooms in the home so the new buyer can visualize the possibility of the home being their home.  Additionally, staging involves a process of creating more open space by removing furniture or placing furniture in such a way to create openness visually and/or spatially.

Clutter distracts buyers and detaches them emotionally from your home.  You may be asking:  Does decluttering mean I have to remove all my personal belongings from the home?   The answer is No.   The goal of decluttering is to clear away “excess” personal items and furniture to create a light, airy, and spacious feeling.  You want the buyer to see your home, not your personal stuff.  You want to furnish the space to show off how functional and spacious it is.  You want the buyer to be able to visualize the space with their furniture, kitchen gadgets, etc., in the rooms and on the counters.

Overpacked rooms may give the buyer the impression your home lacks adequate storage.  Your storage closets should be cleared of clutter, too.  Potential buyers will look through your closets, cupboards, and storage areas.  They want to make sure their new home will have adequate storage for their belongings.

Outdated styles can also distract a buyer.  Add stylish hardware or replace light fixtures to update the look of your cabinets/room.  New, updated artwork or a new inexpensive area rug  or throw pillows can bring in added color, depth, and texture to a space.

One last tip:  eliminate gender-specific features in the master bedroom and bathrooms.

I am a strong believer that home staging and making a few style updates shortens the number of days a home is on the market.  Our affiliate company, Interiors by Berni, can help you  stage your home and show its full potential to prospective homebuyers.   Call us today for more information!

Next month’s blog:  Finding a REALTOR® 1.0

Berni Halaas, REALTOR®
New Century Real Estate and
Interiors by Berni
“Going above and beyond to make YOUR DREAMS come true.”