Feb. 17, 2006 - Staging A Home for Sale from Start to Finish

Last night I went to to a townhome that  I will be listing for sale in the next two to four weeks at about $350,000.  Aside from talking about price and marketing strategy, I started "staging the home" in my head and taking notes.

Some agents give the owners a list of things to do.  I can't seem to do that, because I have a "vision" or "an eye" for things that are easier for me to just do, than to explain.  Also, I try something in one place, step back and look at it, and change my mind.

I thought I would try to give a blow by blow of my thought process last night to see if it might help you stage your home.

Be a buyer.  Go out front and start there.  This townhome had a front step, a traditional door and a two car garage.  I like to put a wreath on a traditional door.  Something with Spring flowers.  Homes do sell better in the Spring...it isn't spring?  Who said.  Put a big wreath of spring flowers on the front door.  If it's a wide "stoop", like this one, put a potted tall but narrow evergreen on each side of the front door.

Like most townhomes with attached garages, there is a long staircase in front of you as soon as you open the door.  Put something dramatic at the top of the staircase.  In this case, we will be moving a beautiful tall piece there, that is now somewhere else in the house, with a big floral arrangement on top.  That piece is currently blocking the entry to the main area.  Keep your entry and exit ways wide and uncluttered.

The kitchen is easy.  Clean, clean and clean again!  Attractive things on top of the cabinets to draw the eye up.  I like big bottles of peppers, olives, cherries and other foodstuffs.  This way the color at the top is natural.

Keep colors coordinated from kitchen to living room to dining room.  I am taking everything they own away that doesn't coordinate with the sofas and bringing in place settings, over the window froo-froos and a lace topper for the dining room.

I never take "before and after" pictures.  I think it is insulting to show peoples homes "before", as if the way they lived before I arrived was "awful".  But I will put up some photos after it is staged.

It is a three year new townhome, so I know it will look really good.  We just have to take away the "lived in" look and transform it into a "model home".  Or as close to that as possilble.

Stay tuned for photos.  Will be two weeks to a month.

Feb. 18, 2006 - Staging

Feb. 18, 2006 - Chris & Feng Shui

Feb. 19, 2006 - Nice article

Feb. 20, 2006 - Chris