I did not know that was in the Agreement - Protecting Your Business

One of the most important business forms a Professional Home Stager needs to have is a great Staging Agreement.  Operating a business without an agreement leaves you open for huge risk.  Crafting a professional and air-tight agreement will serve you well as you grow your business.  

Here are some Do's and Don'ts when it comes to Agreements:

DON'T Stage a property without an agreement in place.  I don't care how nice the people are, if they have not signed your agreement, they are not obligated to pay you, or even return the items you put in their property.  Do NOT show up and Stage believing they will sign the paperwork and pay for the services.  Please - do NOT do that!  With how easy it is to have clients sign docs now, there is no reason a person does not adhere to your policy - unless they are planning on taking advantage of you.

DON'T forget about the payment terms.  If you are a professional Home Stager and are not accepting credit cards for payments, you are operating at the mercy of your clients.  Invoicing for payments is a waste of your time and because you do not have a valid form of payment saved for the client, they may NEVER pay you!  ACH drafts is an option, but you are still at the mercy of when your client decides to pay you. You need to be in charge of processing payments.  

There are lots of options out there to allow you to process credit card payments where YOU are the one in control.  Merchant fees are write-offs and a cost of doing business.  For me, my time is worth so much more than generating invoices, calling to hound people for payment and keeping track of deposits and checks, or not getting paid at all. 

DO use an online signing program such as Docusign or E-Sign.  It will save you so much TIME and hassle to be able to send agreements to your clients electronically.  The forms are easy to complete on a smart phone, tablet or computer, and they DO hold up in court as official legal documents.

DO have an attorney or other trusted legal adviser review your agreements.  There are online resources to help you craft a fairly good agreement, but having a professional review it for any inconsistencies or information that you need to add is a good idea.  

DO continue to revise your Agreements over time.  Situations arise that you may not have thought of or planned for, and when that happens, you may opt to put a new term or condition in your Agreement.

Like the time I went to Stage a house and there was no electricity.  I was literally Staging by flashlight.  Next agreement that went out had, "Electricity must be functioning," in the terms.  I also went to Stage a property that had been winterized by the seller - so not only was it freezing cold IN the house, the toilets would not work.  We were not by any quick shops so THAT was a situation we did not enjoy!  Next agreement, "Plumbing and heat must be operational." We cannot change the past, we can only learn from it - so use your "experiences" to help you strengthen your agreements.

The agreements need to spell out:

1. Your terms for doing business - what you are providing (services) 
2. Pricing and payment terms
3. Penalties for properties that are not Stage Ready upon your arrival
4. Removal terms such a 7 business day notice to remove or else a rush fee applies
5. Ongoing rental terms - when does the rental start, do you provide refunds for unused portions or for a client who neglects to tell you they don't want to renew and then asks for a refund.
6. Payment timing - do you take full payment at time agreement is signed or a partial deposit?
7. The deposit is non-refundable (I personally take 100% of the fee up front at time of agreement being signed and it is not refundable)
8. All request for removal of Staging items must be in WRITING (text or email)
9. What happens if a payment declines or is not made?  (retrieval of items immediately)
10. Access to the property - you either have a lockbox code or you make a key so you can access the property to check on the Staging items.
11. If the agent or seller changes the access and does not notify you prior to pick up day, you charge a penalty for your time, your crew's time, etc. for not being able to access the property.

Special Circumstances:

• Electricity is on
• Heat works
• Plumbing is operational
• A/C works (in summer for hot places)
• No audience while Staging takes place
• Information about the inventory - it is Staging inventory and not necessarily new
• Difference between Staging and design - client does not get to select or control inventory selections
• Staging selections are at your sole discretion
• No substitutions or additions
• If there are pets, they need to be secured
• Photo use and release
• Other

Get all requests in writing:
This advice was given to me by a credit card company after a client disputed charges.  I won the dispute, but enacted that rule so that there is never any question on when a client makes a request and how that date falls in line with the required time frame for giving notice and avoiding charges.  

When you have a solid Agreement in place, if a client does dispute payments that were applied from their credit cards, you will have a great paper trail and document to send to dispute any charge-back issues.  

Is Ignorance, Bliss?

One of the things I have learned over my 16 years in business to date is clients often do not bother to read what they are signing.  Does that mean they are off the hook when it comes time to enforce your terms?  No.  

I am AMAZED at how many clients do not bother to read what they are signing.  Our agreements are not like the Microsoft agreements that everyone just signs without bothering to read. Microsoft honestly could put in their agreements I would owe them a million dollars or my first born child, and I would have just selected, "AGREE TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS" because I don't want to take the time to plow through all the legalese.

Our haste in getting through the paperwork can put us at risk.  Clients who sign a Staging Agreement and initial certain clauses without reading what they are signing cannot use ignorance as a reason to have you make special arrangements for them or expect to have the rules bent. Being able to point back to the Agreement they signed (and perhaps even initialed special terms) protects your business and money.

This is a business.  Treat it like a business and protect your interests.

For sample Staging Agreements go to the www.iahsp.com site.  It is one of the resources we have provided to our members.  Not a member?  You can join and become part of the world's largest Home Staging Association!

Top 10 Tips for Packaging Your House to Sell During the Holidays

Top 10 Tips for Packaging Your House to Sell During the Holidays

By Jennie Norris, ASPM®, IAHSP-Premier®, ASP-SRS®, ASP-REO®

Owner, Sensational Home Staging – 

Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

The holidays are just around the corner and many Realtors will tell you that the last quarter of the year is often their best for closing sales.  Homeowners might think that it’s best to wait until the start of next year to put their house on the market and yet the last couple of months of the year are a good time to sell because there is less inventory and more serious buyers, and tax benefits as well.

If you are contemplating Selling in December here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1.  Get a Staging Professional 3^rd Party Opinion.

     A Stager is not tied to the sale of the house and many times what is shared is received as truly objective.  A professional Stager is going to be honest about any changes that need to be done in the house from simply packing up excess to painting, updating, and rearranging.  They will create a specific plan of action and are available to help the seller implement it if needed. If you are a Realtor® having a Stager interface with your Sellers will save you time and energy and allow you to focus on what you do best – getting more business. 

     

F   2. Fall warm décor is always a good visual. 

The warm tone colors of the gourds, cornucopias, and fall leaves are always a nice addition to a home.  Just remember “less is more” – so have one centerpiece on a table that is the highlight and keep all the smaller décor additions packed this year.  A nice seasonal wreath on the door is nice, and warm snuggly throws on a couple of pieces of furniture add a layer of texture and visual appeal.  Just because it’s cold outside does not mean it has to feel cold inside.

3.  Keep holiday décor to a minimum.

This cannot be the year you pull all your treasured décor and holiday collections out and display it throughout the house.  The items might be wonderful to you but to a potential buyer they are a distraction either because the buyer will be looking at all your holiday treasures and not your house, or they will be hiding some key selling feature like a fire place mantel or countertop.  Remember not to put out anything that identifies your family – children’s names should never be on display which means maybe this year you wait to hang your stockings until Christmas Eve.

4.  Not everyone celebrates your holidays.

We want the house to appeal to ALL buyers.  If you know 100% that the buyer for your house is your same faith and will celebrate the exact same way you do then by all means leave all your items out.  Fact is none of us know who the buyer is going to be until it happens.  Don’t give them any reason not to buy YOUR house.  There are many faiths out there so whatever yours is you need to eliminate it from the buying equation.  Otherwise it can be uncomfortable for a buyer who is viewing all your personal faith items, and they might have a bias against faiths not their own, so putting your things away for a short period of time will help your house sell.

5.  Christmas trees need to be in a good spot.

If you are determined to put a tree up for Christmas think location, location, location.  Maybe you usually place it in a prominent area of your house but now that you are selling that tree will be a visual and physical block for buyers.  Make sure that it is not blocking a real selling feature such as a view window or access to your backyard.  Remember not to put any ornaments out that are treasures to you – as anything that is out on display is at risk of damage or loss.

6.  Wreaths, Poinsettias and twinkly lights are good décor options.

A wreath on the door that is simple and elegant is a good idea.  Poinsettias by the front door or displayed on a table to add color are a nice touch.  Twinkly lights on outdoor trees and a few touches inside add that winter sparkle. Just remember less is more.  Have only one or two on display because there is a point where an item goes from adding a highlight of color to a buyer’s experience to becoming a visual distraction. 

7.  No presents under the tree early.

Presents should not be wrapped and put under the tree early as anything that is left out is at risk of damage or loss.  Wait until a couple of nights before Christmas to put those out.  They take up visual space for the floor which is the selling feature and the fact is you will have people you don’t know touring your house.  As careful as Realtors are to ensure the security of a seller’s things, stuff happens.  Be proactive and don’t become a victim.

8.  Keep your yard cheerful.

The weather is turning colder and in many parts of the country snow will soon cover the ground.  Trees are bare and there is a lack of curb appeal with color in most yards.  A seller needs to help this situation out by adding color with annuals that like the cold and other splashes of color.  Pansies, primroses, and kale are all cold hearty annuals.  Put a few pots of these outside by the front door, by the mailbox and at the corner of your walkway to add some color.  Certain berry bush varieties also do well in the cold and add a nice splash of red to the landscape.  And remember the twinkly white lights add a little sparkle too.  Any lights should be tasteful and not overdone to the point of distraction with either cords hanging in odd or dangerous spots, or are visually distracting. 

9.  Remove ice from walkways, decks, porches and steps.

If you live in an area where it gets icy you need to stay on top of your walkways and yard to eliminate slipping hazards.  The last thing you need is for some buyer to slip as they are viewing your house as that could lead to potential financial and legal issues.  There are easy solutions for staying on top of the icing issue from salting the ice to scraping it.  Remember it’s a temporary inconvenience to help your house sell.

10.  Keep your house at a comfy temperature.

Heating a house can be costly and yet you have to keep your house at a comfortable temperature so that buyers will linger and really look around.  Buyers don’t want to walk around long if the house feels like an igloo.  Keeping the house at 68 degrees is a good idea.  If the house is frigid and you don’t mind walking around in a knit hat and winter coat, keep in mind that cold houses are unappealing.  Remind yourself that the heating is for a short period of time in the grand scheme of things.  Even if you are not home during the day, keep the heater going so that any potential buyers are welcomed with warmth.

Come up with a plan of action for selling your house by working with your REALTOR® on a key strategy to get maximum exposure for your property.  Follow the tips above knowing the goal is to help YOU sell your house in the shortest time and at the best price before year’s end.

_______________________________________________________________________________

For help in the Denver region getting your house or listing Staged and ready to show, contact Jennie Norris at 888-WE-STAGE, 303-717-7918 or www.SensationalHome.com.  Licensed, Accredited & Insured.  Over 4,300 houses Staged since 2002.

Vacant Houses Are Like a Christmas Tree Stand with No Tree! Stage it BEFORE you List it!

Vacant Houses have no visual appeal - they are like a Christmas tree stand with no tree!!  This holiday season, make sure you have the BEST first impression - Stage it BEFORE you List it!

#home #staging #stager #Denver #Colorado #house #property #vacant

2015 was a great year for Sensational Home Staging and our clients . . . looking forward to a successful 2016!

A Timely Poem for Realtors and Sellers . . . . Twas the Month Before Christmas - Staging Style!

The Christmas Season is upon us . . . here is a Sensational Home Staging twist on an old classic . . . .enjoy!!

Houses that are Scary Tell A Buyer to be Wary!! Sensational Home Transforms Scary houses to help them SELL!

Best Foot Forward - Don't Let Your Listing Sell The Competition

Best Foot Forward

by Jennie Norris, ASP Master, IAHSP-Premier,

ASP-SRS, ASP-REO, ASP-BTS

Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Helping Sellers & Realtors in the Denver Region

The truth is in life we do only have one chance to make the best FIRST impression so we want to have, as they say, our BEST foot forward! 

When a house is listed for sale and a buyer looks at it online or in person - the house either sells itself or sells the competition. They either want to see more and make an offer or they walk on to the next option.

Buyers compare houses online and in person. When one looks great and the other is not prepared for sale - dirty, dated, cluttered, too dark, smelly, etc. - a Buyer will naturally compare that house to the one that is ready to show and buy. So your choice as a Seller or as a Listing Agent is simple. You either Stage up front to get the positive attention and offers or you don't and you just SOLD your competition.

As a Listing Agent you have to ask yourself, "Why would I want to market an ugly foot?" 

You invest a lot of your time, energy and dollars to get a house sold. The house reflects on YOUR reputation. When it does NOT sell you are often held responsible and blamed by the Seller - and word gets around the neighborhood. Aren't you in this business to get referrals from happy clients? Of course. So YOUR best foot forward is to make it a requirement that all your listings are Staged BEFORE they are listed for sale. Or else you just help sell YOUR competition because the neighborhood is watching who gets the pending sign out first and at what price the house sold.

Yes I know Sellers can resist change and it can be hard to tell them their house has warts or corns. Yet you are not doing them (or yourself) any favors by marketing their house "as is." I know there are special circumstances that can exist, but for the most part, a Seller wants ALL the money from the sale of their house. Not just some. 

Putting an ugly foot on the market guarantees they will not net the most from their house and it guarantees their house will be USED to sell the houses that put their BEST foot forward. 

Yes - even in a hot market, a Buyer does not want the hairy foot with warts and icky toenails when they have the option of buying the beautifully manicured foot with pretty color and jewelry. Those two houses will NOT sell at the same price and the ugly foot will be used to sell the pretty one. 

The changes a Seller needs to make to get their foot from ugly to pretty are usually simple and very effective. In most markets a Staging Consultation where the Seller is given a detailed summary of what to do room by room is an average of $250. That small investment can yield thousands of dollars in return. Anything a Seller can do UP FRONT to help their house show better should be recouped in the sale and help their house sell at the best price.

Best Foot Forward. Get the house Staged by a professional Stager to ensure the house truly has the best opportunity to get the best price. Then when the house closes at the BEST price, treat yourself to a manicure! After all the running around we do for our clients we deserve it!
_______________________________________________________________________

For help putting your best foot forward in the greater Denver area, give Jennie a call 303-717-7918. www.SensationalHome.com

Home Staging Services FREE - How Sellers can get a win-win when Staging Their House for Sale

Who doesn't like a great deal? Right now deals are coming from all places promoting Black Friday and holiday specials.  As Americans we are geared to perk up when we hear about a good deal.  Well get ready to perk up about your house!

When it comes to Staging did you know that as a Seller you can actually get it for FREE or at a great discount?  HOW?  By partnering with a Stager that works with Realtors that provide this service as part of their listing package.

I work with Realtors that do this.  They believe so much in Home Staging that they ensure ALL their listings are Staged prior to coming on the market and one of the ways they make that happen is by paying for the Staging services on behalf of the seller.  This helps YOU and shows they are committed to the successful sale, not just taking a listing.

Smart Strategy.

Now as a Seller you will be expected to cooperate with the Staging recommendations and you might even have to pay all or a portion of the Staging services up front and get reimbursed by the listing agent at the successful close.  That is only fair - they are putting out the money to make sure YOU get the fastest sale at the best price.  It is a team effort and we are all doing our part to help you achieve the success you want in selling your house.

So if you live in the Denver area and are thinking about selling and want to partner with a REALTOR that will support you getting the very BEST price for your property - let me know and I will be happy to connect you.

By the way, all the REALTORS I refer to are excellent marketing strategists, work for top companies here in the area, they do more than the average Realtor as far as getting your property sold, and are great people to work with - I enjoy working with them and know you will too!

______________________________________________________________________
To get your house Staged and SOLD in the Denver area call Jennie Norris - Sensational Home Staging - 303-717-7918 or 888-93-STAGE  www.SensationalHome.com  Over 3,000 properties Staged since 2002!

Top 10 Tips for Packaging Your House to Sell During the Holidays

Top 10 Tips for Packaging Your House to Sell During the Holidays

By Jennie Norris, ASPM®, IAHSP-Premier®, ASP®-SRS, ASP®-REO,. ASP®-BTS
Accredited Staging Professional Master®, ASP®-Senior Relocation Specialist, ASP®-REO Property Specialist, and ASP® Buyer Trends Specialist

Owner, Sensational Home Staging – Denver Region’s Premier Home Staging Resource

The holidays are just around the corner and many Realtors will tell you that the last quarter of the year is often their best for closing sales. Homeowners might think that it’s best to wait until the start of next year to put their house on the market and yet the last couple of months of the year are a good time to sell because there is less inventory and more serious buyers, and tax benefits as well.

If you are contemplating Selling in November and December here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1. Get a Staging Professional 3rd Party Opinion.

A Stager is not tied to the sale of the house and what is shared is received as truly objective. A professional Stager is going to be honest about any changes that need to be done in the house from simply packing up excess to painting, updating, and rearranging. They will create a specific plan of action and are available to help the seller implement it if needed. If you are a Realtor® having a Stager interface with your Sellers will save you time and energy and allow you to focus on what you do best – getting more business.

2. Fall warm décor is always a good visual.

The warm tone colors of the gourds, cornucopias, and fall leaves are always a nice addition to a home. Just remember “less is more” – so have one centerpiece on a table that is the highlight and keep all the smaller décor additions packed this year. A nice seasonal wreath on the door is nice, and warm snuggly throws on a couple of pieces of furniture add a layer of texture and visual appeal. Just because it’s cold outside does not mean it has to feel cold inside.



3. Keep holiday décor to a minimum.

This cannot be the year you pull all your treasured décor and holiday collections out and display it throughout the house. The items might be wonderful to you but to a potential buyer they are a distraction either because the buyer will be looking at all your holiday treasures and not your house, or they will be hiding some key selling feature like a fire place mantel or countertop. Remember not to put out anything that identifies your family – children’s names should never be on display which means maybe this year you wait to hang your stockings until Christmas Eve.

 
4. Not everyone celebrates your holidays.

We want the house to appeal to ALL buyers. If you know 100% that the buyer for your house is your same faith and will celebrate the exact same way you do then by all means leave all your items out. Fact is none of us know who the buyer is going to be until it happens. Don’t give them any reason not to buy YOUR house. There are many faiths out there so whatever yours is you need to eliminate it from the buying equation. Otherwise it can be uncomfortable for a buyer who is viewing all your personal faith items, and they might have a bias against faiths not their own, so putting your things away for a short period of time will help your house sell.

5. Christmas trees need to be in a good spot.

If you are determined to put a tree up for Christmas think location, location, location. Maybe you usually place it in a prominent area of your house but now that you are selling that tree will be a visual and physical block for buyers. Make sure that it is not blocking a real selling feature such as a view window or access to your backyard. Remember not to put any ornaments out that are treasures to you – as anything that is out on display is at risk of damage or loss.

6. Wreaths, Poinsettias and twinkly lights are good décor options.

A wreath on the door that is simple and elegant is a good idea. Poinsettias by the front door or displayed on a table to add color are a nice touch. Twinkly lights on outdoor trees and a few touches inside add that winter sparkle. Just remember less is more. Have only one or two on display because there is a point where an item goes from adding a highlight of color to a buyer’s experience to becoming a visual distraction.

7. No presents under the tree early.

Presents should not be wrapped and put under the tree early as anything that is left out is at risk of damage or loss. Wait until a couple of nights before Christmas to put those out. They take up visual space for the floor which is the selling feature and the fact is you will have people you don’t know touring your house. As careful as Realtors are to ensure the security of a seller’s things, stuff happens. Be proactive and don’t become a victim.

8. Keep your yard cheerful.

The weather is turning colder and in many parts of the country snow will soon cover the ground. Trees are bare and there is a lack of curb appeal with color in most yards. A seller needs to help this situation out by adding color with annuals that like the cold and other splashes of color. Pansies, primroses, and kale are all cold hearty annuals. Pine boughs with pinecones and red berries are a nice seasonal touch. Put a few pots of these outside by the front door, by the mailbox and at the corner of your walkway to add some color. Certain berry bush varieties also do well in the cold and add a nice splash of red to the landscape. And remember the twinkly white lights add a little sparkle too. Any lights should be tasteful and not overdone to the point of distraction with either cords hanging in odd or dangerous spots, or are visually distracting.

9. Remove ice from walkways, decks, porches and steps.

If you live in an area where it gets icy you need to stay on top of your walkways and yard to eliminate slipping hazards. The last thing you need is for some buyer to slip as they are viewing your house as that could lead to potential financial and legal issues. There are easy solutions for staying on top of the icing issue from salting the ice to scraping it. Remember it’s a temporary inconvenience to help your house sell.

10. Keep your house at a comfy temperature.

Keep your house at a comfortable temperature so that buyers will linger and really look around. Buyers don’t want to walk around long if the house feels like an igloo. You might not mind walking around in a knit hat and winter coat, but cold houses are unappealing to buyers. Remind yourself that the heating is for a short period of time in the grand scheme of things. Even if you are not home during the day, keep the heater on and set at a reasonable temperature (68-70 degrees) so that any potential buyers are welcomed with warmth. If you are selling a vacant house it has to be kept warm as well physically and visually - with heating and Staging.

Come up with a plan of action for selling your house by working with your REALTOR® on a key strategy to get maximum exposure for your property. Follow the tips above knowing the goal is to help YOU sell your house in the shortest time and at the best price before year’s end.

_____________________________________________________________________

For help in the Denver region getting your house or listing Staged and ready to show, contact Jennie Norris at 888-93-STAGE, 303-717-7918 or www.SensationalHome.com. Licensed, Accredited & Insured. Over 3,000 houses Staged since 2002.

The 5 Senses of Staging a House – a Sensible and Sensational Idea!

The 5 Senses of Staging a House –

a Sensible and Sensational Idea!

By Jennie Norris, APS Master®, Owner, Sensational Home Staging

Denver Region's Premier Home Staging Resource

 

 

I read something recently that caught my attention as it talked about how our 5 senses – SIGHT, SMELL, TOUCH, HEARING, TASTE – engage as we look at houses, or rather how they don’t engage if the seller has not deliberately put things out to make that happen or has not bothered to prepare their house for sale.

I thought about this – and as a professional Home Stager – I realized this is what I do every time I work with a Seller and on a house to Stage it for sale.    But there is an imbalance with some Staging out there – where the focus is really on ONE sense – SIGHT and the others are sort of forgotten. 

Let’s take a look at what a complete sensory Staging would be like. . .

Before we take a look at what happens with Staging, let’s consider the flip side - when a Seller does NOT prepare their house for sale and what a Buyer might experience within their 5 senses.

 

SIGHT:  Cluttered and dirty houses are a turnoff to Buyers.  If the house is not picked up it says, “I don’t care about my house.”  If a Buyer sees too many personal things, they feel like they are invading someone’s space and they are uncomfortable and will leave.  If they see all the Seller’s things it not only distracts them from just being able to take in each room as a whole, it also could turn them away if the items are too personal, tacky, or just plain odd. 

SMELL:  Do I really have to mention that ANY unpleasant odor, aroma, or smell in a house is not a good thing for Selling?  If a Seller is unsure whether their house has a smell that is unpleasant, tell them to ASK any number of people that do not live there.  The most common culprits are cooking odors, pet odors, cigarette smoke odors, old house, and mildew smells but it could even be too much fragrance or plug-ins that cloister the senses.  However, most people are afraid to tell them the truth, and that is where the Home Stager can help.

TOUCH:  This can go a couple of ways, but let’s first start with the touch that ends up with sticky residue on your hands – that is a house that needs cleaning!  Buyers are going to open doors, cupboards, and touch things as they go through the house.  Buyers will also consider the furniture in the house, and if touching it gets a reaction like “EWW” – that is not a good thing.  Threadbare, torn or tattered is not a good look for any Seller hoping to attract a Buyer and give them the belief that, “Hey I took great care of this house – just look at how well I cared for my furniture!” 

HEARING:  We cannot always control the noise outside of our houses – traffic, dogs, construction, but we can control the noise inside.  A faucet that sounds like a Mack truck engine when you turn it one says, “There is something gravely wrong with the plumbing in this house.”  Squeaky hinges, doors that drag on the floor, and in general any noise that advertises the age of the house is not a good thing for Selling.

TASTE:  This one really does not pertain to pre-Selling so we’ll just skip this one for now and go right into the recommendations for when the house is Staged.

 

It’s easy to incorporate all 5 Senses in a positive way when Staging and Selling a House.  This can be done with Occupied or Vacant houses for sale and is a key process that ensures a Buyer has a complete experience in the house. . .

 

SIGHT:  Make sure the house is light and bright.  Open up windows where there is a view to show off, and minimize any unattractive views with blinds or strategically placed objects.  Make sure the house is very CLEAN and also DEPERSONALIZED as far as collections, personal items (bills, medicine), photos, and anything that could be a potential distraction for a Buyer.  Any brightly painted walls should be painted a warm neutral color.  Walls that are too dark actually make the room feel smaller as it closes the room in . . . And when a Seller does not paint, they are eliminating a large portion of the Buyer pool who don’t like that color, it does not go with their stuff, and they don’t to have to paint when they move in!  They’ll just go buy something else that is ready for them and does go with their things, a.k.a. NEUTRAL.

However, we need and want COLOR and NATURE for visual appeal in Staging.  Accent décor and greenery, artwork that draws a person closer, and other fun whimsical displays are good for Staging and Selling.

Do not make your house so stark and plain that all the pizzazz is gone.  This is taking the “de-cluttering” too far – and now your house is cleared out but it’s Boring. 

TIP:  Your Home Stager will know what to do in each room to make it visually stimulating and appealing to draw the buyer in and want to see more!  They can use your things or enhance what you have with décor, but the plan should be to keep or add pizzazz but allow the Buyer to take each room in its entirety and not be distracted by décor or too much.  There is a fine balance your Home Stager can help you achieve.

SMELL:  We want houses on the market to smell good – fresh and inviting.  For showing houses Realtors often use the baked cookies or bread trick or the cinnamon simmering on the stove trick . . . but Buyers can detect if there are other underlying aromas.  This is where a house must be CLEAN – and there is no concession here – we don’t want smells –urine, dirty clothes, smoke smell, cooking odors, mold or mildew smells in the house.   Once the smells are eliminated, the house should smell fresh and clean – and be kept that way while the house is on the market.  There are products that eliminate odors for good as long as they are not reintroduced. 

When others may be afraid to tell the truth about odors in a house that is coming on the market, a professional Home Stager owes it to the Seller to tell them the truth.  Those that are trained understand how to couch their message in kindness so they don’t offend – and yet if we don’t tell the truth and the house does not sell because of this issue, we did not do our job.

TIP:  Ask your Home Stager what they recommend as a permanent solution for challenging aromas. There are inexpensive yet effective products that are odor eliminators, as well as machines that can be used.

 

TOUCH:  The house should look “plush” and inviting.  There should be soft surfaces along with the hard – and this relates to the furniture.  A bed can have a comforter, but why not add some accent pillows and a throw as well to create layers of softness?  If a Seller has a collection of Adirondack furniture throughout the house, they need to possibly minimize the collection, and for sure bring in accent pillows or cushions, and silk trees or plants to help soften all that wood.  Not that a Buyer is going to sit in a Seller’s couch, but we want them to feel like each room is inviting them in to experience more. By the same token if the Seller has a bunch of overstuffed couches, bean bags, or large floor pillows, we want to bring in some structured furniture to help add strength and solidness to the room, otherwise we feel like we are sinking.  Throughout the house there should be a balance of hard and soft, plush and streamlined. 

 TIP:  An experienced Home Stager will know what to do in each room, how to make the most of what a Seller already has, and bring in any needed décor to complete the look.

HEARING:  Showing houses agents will often play music – and I think that is a good thing to create an atmosphere that is pleasant and inviting.  There are other audible enhancements that are appealing to buyers as well.  A water feature is enticing and relaxing – consider putting one in the Master bath or a larger one in the courtyard or back patio.  Sellers need to fix all the squeaks and groans in the house they can before it comes on the market.  You cannot “Stage away” traffic or construction noise, but you can minimize it by having another sound distract from it.  This helps a buyer to know, “Even though there is some exterior noise, I could still live here if I had this water feature.”  Help them to know how to override what may be a potential detraction to buying the house. 

TIP:  Your Home Stager can provide a creative solution or idea to help override a potentially negative sound.  They cannot “Stage away” the issues, but they can help come up with a plan that will minimize or eliminate the issue.

TASTE:  Of the 5 senses this one is probably the least utilized when Staging as most of the time we are not using real food as props that are supposed to be eaten. However, when Showing a house, it’s fun to have cookies or fruit and refreshing drinks for Buyers.  Stagers can use faux prop food for a look – such as parfaits or small cakes, faux fruit or even faux champagne in glasses, but these are props.  Some Stagers can use real fruit as a prop – but with most it’s not to be eaten.  To get this 5^th sense involved with Buyers the Seller or Realtor will have to provide the delicious snack that gets that last sense engaged, or a team partner Stager can bring cookies and lemonade for the open house – and get that last sense checked off!

 

Let’s face it – the market is competitive and to get the Sale you want within the timeframe you need, you owe it to yourself and your house to engage all 5 senses for the Buyer.

The Results?  A SENSATIONAL Sale . . . When Buyers make a 5 senses connection to a house it is more likely to become their HOME and the Seller will achieve their goals as well of selling versus sitting on the market.