…your beautiful bedroom finally painted in your favorite shade
…hanging in the yard with the dog watching your veggies grow
…holiday meals shared with family and friends
…backyard BBQs and splashing in the pool
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Understandably, most people have a difficult time letting go of their emotional ties to a property. When putting your house on the market, it is important to try to think of it as an investment and in terms of ROI (Return on Investment). I advise people to let go of these emotional ties if they want to get highest value for their property.
 
I recognize that getting people onboard often requires patience. The most important thing is to have a fresh set of experienced eyes evaluate what needs to be done. Realtors usually recommend Home Staging to maximize sale price and use the rule of thumb that for every $1 invested, $2 or more is returned.

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Home Staging is a strategic marketing tool designed to show a property in its best possible light to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more quickly and for top dollar.

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Staging has become big business. According to Jane Saidenberg, the design director of Studio D, a staging company with offices in New York and San Francisco…
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Sophisticated transformational staging projects can cost upwards of $20,000 – $100,000. This causes sticker shock for sellers. People question spending money on a home that they are selling. 

Do all properties require staging?
At a minimum all properties, need to be: decluttered, deep cleaned and depersonalized. Organizing is the first step. Sell, store, donate or dispose of unnecessary goods. A coat, preferably in neutral colors, of paint will make a place look clean and fresh. Remove all personal photos with the possible exception of a few that are pleasant with evocative images in handsome frames.
 
After over 20 years of real estate investing, I know how important an investment in staging can be. My formula for success includes having a good eye for what styling will work for different properties and knowing the right team of trusted stylists/stagers to call in to pull out that look at the minimal cost. In general, a Minimalist style and nice artwork appeal to most buyers. However, different levels of investment are appropriate for different scenarios.  
How Much Staging Is Right for Your Property?

1. ​Full Staging- New construction, homes to flip and luxury properties should be all be staged including landscaping, flooring, appliances, renovations, full furnishing and decor (see the beautiful Palm Springs home featured above)
2. Home Styling- Homeowners who do not have the budget for a full staging are opting more often for staging/styling with their own furniture; Stylists with a good eye can move around, remove or replace dated pieces; Adding borrowed artwork, fresh linens and throw pillow can transform at a lower cost than full staging
3. Clean Up- Homes that are more than 30 years out of date, in need of major renovations or with flawed floor plan should get the minimum makeover as the costs involved might exceed the return

Before Home Styling A jumbled mess of furniture

After Home Styling Light, bright and inviting using a mix of the owner’s existing furnishings

How Do You Get the Most out of Your Investment in Staging?
Great photos are key. Teaser photos that bring out the best in properties are often enough to get potential buyers out to view in person and to ultimately make a competitive offer.
 
This is in my opinion on how you get highest and best offers and maybe more. I have set many bars in neighborhoods with my own flips and this is the formula I use. I would love to hear your feedback on staging and please feel free to Contact Me by Email or PHONE  with any questions you have about what is right for you and for your property.