Home Staging Tips from expert Cathy Hobbs

Cathy Hobbs Reporting

If you're looking to get your home ready for sale, Cathy Hobbs, ASID/LEED AP and owner of apherä has some key home staging tips for you! To hear Cathy Hobbs talk about these tips, be sure to check out the podcast of this week's Eye On Real Estate.

1. What are the main principles of home staging? How does a professional stager approach a staging?

Staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by appealing to the widest range of buyers. The key elements to remember in this process are de-personalizing and de-cluttering. With my clients I always tell them that the key to selling your property is to realize that once it goes on the market, it is no longer your home, but a product. It is a product competing with other products on the market, and in order for that product to stand out it has to be priced right and have the best presentation and packaging in order to make it stand out.
As a professional stager, I work with clients to help make sure their home makes a strong first impression that enables potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the property. Many buyers make a decision about a property in less than three minutes, so a strong first impression is critical!

Our goal is to highlight the features, function, and live-ability of the home. We thoroughly research the appropriate furnishings and accessories needed to create the appropriate atmosphere and message for our clients’ particular property.

2. What are the benefits of a staged home vs. a non-staged home when is comes to real estate resale? How can staging be beneficial in today’s real estate market (a buyer market)?

A staged home has great appeal, enticing buyers inside, where they will see the best view of each room and the best traffic pattern throughout the home. Further, a staged home is also in its best showcase, mint condition, so that it sells at the best possible price in the shortest possible time, an un-staged home does not.

Staging before placing the house on the market, even before the "broker tour," is ideal because realtors, as much as potential buyers, want to be "wowed", and will be! A staged house will stand out from the competition. Realtors will want to show it to their clients, increasing traffic to your listing and speeding its sale.

3. What areas of the home usually benefit most from staging? Explain why you think these areas are more important than other areas.

* Kitchens—A lot of buyers purchase homes based on kitchens. While remodeling a kitchen can cost thousands of dollars, there are some minor and affordable fixes that can go a long way. They include replacing flooring and countertops as well as cabinet knobs, retiling of backsplashes and repainting.

* Bathrooms- When it comes to buyers, bathrooms are at the top of the list. Most buyers look at an outdated, un-renovated bathroom and automatically see worry, work and money. Minor updates like new flooring, new sink, faucet or toilet can provide a quick freshen up!

* Front Exterior – I cannot say enough about first impressions and when it comes to a house that means curb appeal. Some buyers who are turned off by the outside of your house, may automatically make an instant opinion about the interior of your house, without even seeing it. Minor landscaping is important along with outdoor lighting, and a freshly painted front door.

4. What are some basic staging techniques, both exterior and interior, any homeowner can do (including those homeowners with limited skills and budget)?
* De-personalizing
* De-cluttering
* Furniture Re-arranging
* Re-painting
* Repairs

5. What are the “next level” of staging techniques, both exterior and interior, a homeowner should consider (if they have a budget to do more)?

* Hiring a Professional Stager
* Renting or Purchasing Furniture and Accessories
* Updating Landscaping and other curb appeal items, like a new front door or outdoor lighting
* Remodeling and renovations

6. In this tough market, what staging changes give the most “bang for the buck”?

In general, a client can just follow a few basic steps in order to achieve quick, affordable results. They include:

* De-personalizing
* De-cluttering
* Furniture Re-arranging
* Re-painting

I always advise my clients that the most efficient way for sellers to secure the equity in their home is to have their property staged prior to putting it on the market. The results they will achieve:

· Staged homes sell faster.
· Staged homes sell for more money in most markets.
· Photographs of staged homes look better in print and internet advertising.
· Staged homes stand out from the competition.
· Buyers are looking for homes that are "move-in ready".

7. I am often asked this question a lot. What is a realistic budget to set aside for a home staging?

Most stagers charge according to a flat day rate. At aphereä our $1500 day rate includes me, and two stagers. We also work out of our own warehouse, in which all of a clients furniture and furnishings can be stored prior to installation. The cost of movers and furniture and furnishings is additional. As far as the furniture and accessories, we often rent furniture and artwork for our clients from rental companies and prop houses that we have relationships with and small items such as accessories we purchase for the client, for a small fee.

Stagers such as myself can also provide a “consultation only” style service, which we provide at aphereä for $375. Clients purchasing a consultation enjoy our expertise and roadmap on how they can prepare their property for sale on their own.

You can get in touch with Cathy Hobbs at her website, CathyHobbs.com