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Volume 1 :: Issue 3

Home staging hasbecome anestablished real

estate marketing tool,especially in theNorthwest.Why?  Because “visualappeal” is important todiscerning buyers basedon residential price pointsin the area.  Staging is critical whenyou have a vacant homethat can come to life withthe right interiorfurnishings. But it’sequally important whenyou have a home beinglived in while on themarket, since it can bemade more appealing withstaging that helps buyerssee themselves living thereby removing clutter,excess furniture anddistracting personal items.

Staging helps getbuyers in the doorProfessional photos for the onlinelisting help draw buyers to yourhome, which is the seller's first goal.It's hard to get great photos unless thehouse has well-

placed furniture and limited excess"stuff" to distract buyers' attention.Staging helps increase the number ofshowings and also ensures that thehouse appeals to all the senses (itstarts by being *sparkling* clean).  

Staging solvesproblem spaces

Each room should showbuyers the function of thespace, so there’s noconfusion.  If your home isvacant and has an open floorplan or rooms with anunusual shape, buyers may

ask “What’s this roomfor?”  Don’t let themwonder; instead, “show” them howthey could live there by using simpleproven staging techniques.  

Staging shows buyerswhat’s importantAnother benefit of staging is thatproper furniture arrangement and artplacement will help highlight ahome’s best features. As an example,a living room fireplace acts as a focalpoint in the room and should bestaged with art above it and a fewwell-chosen items on the mantle todraw attention to this desirablefeature.  The fireplace grate shouldhave stacked logs to lend awelcoming feeling to the room.  Highceilings and wood moldings can behighlighted with correct artplacement.  Hardwood floors are alsoimportant to show buyers, so ratherthan cover them up with large arearugs it's best to expose them as muchas possible when your home is on themarket. These simple stagingtechniques will help your home look"move in ready" for buyers.

Consider the buyer’sperspectiveOnce your home is on the market, itbecomes a “product” that needs toappeal to the target buyer. View yourproperty as a buyer would, not as yourpersonal home, but one they may seethemselves living in.  If you make thehouse (interior and exterior) andoutdoor areas look their best, yougreatly increase your chances for afaster sale at maximum value.

About the author:Maureen Bray is a national award-winning home staging expert whoserves as President of the Real EstateStaging Association, the tradeorganization for the home stagingindustry.  Her home staging company,Room Solutions Staging LLC based inPortland, OR, helps homeowners,Realtors, and builders prepare homesfor the market.  For more information,visit  www.RoomSolutions.comor call 503-246-1800.

Staging Your Home…Why It’s So Important

‘Staging is critical when you have a vacant home that cancome to life with the right interior furnishings. ‘

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