A little re-arranging here, some tidying there … little touches can make a big difference.
Here is a little quiz to help you with the staging your home:
1. True or False? The goal of home staging is to make the home seem lived in and comfortable.
2. Which of the following is considered home staging?
a) cutting the grass
b) painting the trim
c) removing oversize furniture
d) all of the above
3. When is the best time for sellers to start packing for a move?
a) after they receive a credible offer
b) before they list the house
4. Which of these types of paint colors make a room look biggest?
a) bright
b) neutral
c) dark
5. Which of the following is considered a distraction when staging a home and should be removed?
a) pet odor
b) beautiful artwork
c) peeling paint
d) all of the above
6. True or False? It’s a good idea to get rid of clutter in a home by putting it in boxes and storing the boxes and extra furniture in the garage.
7. Which of the following are good staging strategies?
a) put higher-wattage bulbs in kitchens, closets, bathrooms, and utility rooms
b) clean windows and screens
c) paint the front door
d) hang family photos on the wall
8. True or False? One staging tip is to use a room in an unexpected way – turning a dining room into and office, for example.
ANSWERS:
1. False. The goal of home staging is to emphasize a listing’s best features, deemphasize or fix its shortcomings, and make it as appealing as possible to the widest range of prospective buyers.
2. d. Anything that increases the appeal of a seller’s home is a form of home staging.
3. b. Packing early adds space and makes the home more attractive for buyers. Plus, it makes it easier for sellers to pack the balance of their belongings once the home closes.
4. b.
5. d. Some distractions – pet odor for example – are negative. But there are positive distractions as well. Anything that takes the focus off the house and puts it on the belongings is considered a distraction.
6. False. It’s better to store the boxes and furniture off site, so the garage does not look cluttered.
7. a, b, and c. Family photos and other personal items make it harder for buyers to envision themselves living there.
8. False.
Source: Texas Realtor Magazine – July 2006