The booming real estate market of 2006 has reached a cooling off point for most places around the United States, and for some it has gone cold. Now, more than ever, staging a home for sale can be the most important thing a seller can do. By following a few tips from the experts, a seller can increase the value of their house as well as reduce the length of time it is on the market.

Staging a home can mean the difference of thousands of dollars. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will for an average of 17 percent higher than an un-staged home. That means a house listed at $250,000 can see an increase of close to $43,000. And those who spent approximately $500 on staging increased their home?s value by an average of $1,715. Since most homeowners have difficulty seeing their house objectively, it may be beneficial to request help from friends, a realtor, or a staging professional.

Preparing the house for a showing can be a time consuming process, and research shows that the longer a house stays on the market the lower the selling price will be. Staging a house can mean the difference between weeks or months on the market. The New York Village Voice reported that the average number of days an un-staged home is on the market is 30.9 versus 13.9 for a staged home.

Increase Curb Appeal: The buyer?s first impression starts here - Look for chipped paint, especially around the doors and trim, and touch up where needed. - Always keep the yard mowed and edged. - Add touches of color with plants and flowers, and keep garden areas manicured. - Rent a power washer and clean surfaces like brick, siding, sidewalks, and driveways. - Clear spider webs from entry ways, and make sure there is plenty of light.

Kitchens: The heart of a house - De-clutter counter tops; find a cabinet to hide appliances and everyday items. - Keep cabinets organized to make them look as large as possible. - Remove personal items from the refrigerator, like drawings and pictures. - Consider updating a few appliances; this can add a lot of value to the home. - Make sure there is plenty of light. - Clean all surfaces including grout, sinks, corners, and floors.

Living Rooms: Help the buyer picture their family here - Consider the flow of the room and arrange furniture in a way that is functional and inviting. If you have too much furniture you may want to consider renting a storage space. - Remove pictures and personal items. - Bring the outside in by adding a plant or fresh flowers. - Bring attention to wood floors by polishing them, and rent a steam cleaner to make the carpet look as new as possible.

Bathrooms: Clean should be the first thing on the buyers mind - Clean all surfaces, especially grout. - De-clutter cabinets making them look as large as possible. Consider buying organizers to hide personal products. - Replace old faucets and fixtures. This can be a relatively inexpensive way to update the room. - Always neutralize bathroom smells before a buyer arrives. - Add coordinating towels and bathmats to detract from dated counter tops and tile. - Replace light bulbs to brighten the sink area.

Bedrooms: Should be uncluttered and relaxing - Organize the bedroom by arranging furniture in a way that makes the room seem comfortable and spacious. Remove unnecessary furniture items and store them in a storage unit. - Make the bed look like it is in a hotel. Linens should be coordinating and clean. - Remove pictures and personal items. - Store unnecessary closet items to make closets appear as large as possible. Make sure closets have plenty of light. - Consider repainting the room to a neutral tone if the color is bright.

Staging a home may be one of the most important things a seller can do for their home. Following the staging tips above can help ease the stress of selling a home, increase the homes value, and shorten the time on the market.

Posted by Byron Pierce Watts Jr on February 07, 2009 at 02:22 PM

About Byron Pierce Watts Jr
Byron Pierce Watts Jr is affliated with Reynolds Plantation, which is located in Greensboro, GA. For further assistance please use the contact information located on the right.




As of 02/09/12 the Byron Pierce Watts Jr RePage is ranked at 8,534 with 175 points.