Let's talk about staging... I mean SELLING your property

You've heard about home staging right?  Most people have and most people think it's a great idea.  Unfortunately, most of THOSE people don't want to invest the time or money to implement a proper home staging plan to get there house or condo sold.  Make sense?  It doesn't to me either.  Here's a thought.  Only 10% of buyers have the vision of seeing your property and imagining themselves living in it.


For those of you who are interested in staging your property.  Here are my top suggestions for assisting you compete in today's real estate market.  Remember this and repeat it to yourself: The first impression is the only impression.

• Crank up the curb appeal - Pull weeds, rakes leaves and trip overgrown shrubs, especially if they block windows or the path to your front door.  Plant blooming flowers.  In South Florida, something is in bloom no matter the time of year.

• Paint - It's important to make your house generic.  Generic?  Yes.  A fresh coat of neutral paint will make your home appear larger, brighter and more appealing to potential buyers.  A bold color for the front door might make a nice punch but don't get too crazy.

• Make repairs - Fix things like leaky faucets and sticky cabinets, and replace old screens.   They may seem insignificant, but minor repairs add up in the mind of a potential buyer.  They tend to overestimate how much repairs cost.  You don't want to give them any reason not to put in an offer.  It's also a good idea to have a pre-sale inspection so you know what to expect and get those repairs made.  (Florida law specifies you must disclose any known defects to potential buyers.)

• Rearrange - Make sure your furniture placement allows for easy traffic flow and shows the purpose of each room.  If you have too much furniture, rent a portable storage device and hold things until you are ready to move into your new place.  If you don't have enough furniture, borrow or rent.

• Pack up - This includes personal photos and portraits.  Less is always more.  The less clutter and knickknacks you have lying around, the more potential buyers will be able to see your home and what it offers.  Remember, you are selling you house, not your stuff.  Plus, getting a head start on packing will eliminate some stress down the road.

• Organize - When your house is meticulously organized, buyers will envision themselves living a stress-free life in your property.

• Clean - Clean every inch of your house, and don't forget to make your windows and floors sparkle.  If your carpet appears old and stained, think about replacing it.  Also, make sure there are no offensive odors.  Purchase an air-neutralizing spray that will help remove odors without creating an overwhelming masking odor.  Clean homes sell!

• Lighten up - Let the sun shine in, and turn on the lights.  Open all blinds or curtains, and make sure the house is well lit.  Turn on every light no matter what time of day it is.

• Temperature - Be sure potential buyers are comfortable when touring your home.  There's nothing worse than walking into a South Florida house when the a/c is off.  People can't wait to get out of there.

• Keep it ready to show - It may be a little inconvenient, but until you accept an offer, keep your home in tip-top shape at all times.  What this means is that each room should have a clear purpose, nice flow and be clean and clutter-free.  Buyers need to be able to picture themselves and their things in a room, and taking these steps will help ensure that.

Here's a link to the tour of one of my customers' condominiums.  The customer gets an 'A++' for staging the property.  A beautifully staged condo!