frequently asked questions  Is a Stager going to criticize my home, my decorating, or my housekeeping? This should never happen. The way you live in your home and the way you sell your house are two different things. Interiors Working For You will help you present your house at its best to the market. This is not about how you live in your home when it is not for sale. Judgement of how you live is not part of this process, only judgement of how the house will show. A qualified stager will see through the eyes of a buyer, and with an unbiased view make the necessary changes in order to achieve your top dollar quickly. Once your house is sold, you can return to your style of living knowing that you did all you could to sell smart.
I just had my home done by a professional decorator. It should be ready to sell, right? Maybe not. Staging and decorating are significantly different processes with different end results. A home is decorated to suit the people that live in it, while a house is staged to appeal to its potential buyers. At Interiors Working For You we understand that the things that make a house your home may actually be the very things that keep a buyer from being interested. When should I call in my Stager? Ideally the house will be properly prepared before the first person looks at it, including the neighbor who knows someone who may like it. Allow yourself some time to have the staging done and keep your REALTOR informed. If your house is already on the market, then it is still the right time to stage. All the proven reasons to stage still hold true. Staging gives an excellent boost to a stale listing, and provides the wow factor for an open house. Should I request a consultation or full staging services? The answer to this depends on your circumstances, your creative abilities, and the scope of work required. For those who have some aptitude for decor and have the time, a consultation will give you the detailed directions you need. On the other hand, what a difference a day makes... An experienced and skilled stager can accomplish a complete transformation after only a few hours and you haven't had to do a thing. For some, a combination of both works well. Why hire a qualified Stager? Why not my realtor, friend, decorator or neighbor? REALTORS® can guide you of course because they know what buyers tend to notice and look for. Decorators know colors and furniture arangements that work for living, and perhaps your friend or neighbor has good taste. A staging professional, however, understands the concept that how you live in your home is different than how we sell your house. Interiors Working for You offers the designations Canadian Staging Professional (CSP)™ and Accredited Staging Professional (ASP)™ along with years of experience and success, resulting in the highest selling price and shortest selling time for your property.
Can I do this without the help of a Stager? Maybe. Certainly there are many self help resources available now in print and TV form. The tips for selling below are a good start. You may have an excellent sense of what buyers want and what your home's best features are and how to showcase them. You may know how to recognize and minimize possible areas of concern. You may have a creative flair for decorating, with the ability to know when to stop and to detach from your own personal tastes in favour of a neutral approach. Sound like you? By all means go for it, but consider having Interiors Working For You check your results. Consider one of my clients who watched the TV shows on getting homes ready for market, knew that clutter is a negative, and had packed up everything that wasn't tied down or used daily. The house looked bare and cold as a result, until she called us in for help. She didn't understand the nuances of Staging and her talents didn't include the ability to showcase a home.
 How much will I save by Staging? Staging is a relatively new tool in Metro Halifax and Nova Scotia. This makes it an exciting field to be in, as we contribute to its growth. According to StagedHomes.com, the creators of the federally recognized Staging® trademark, staging any home increases its value on average 6.3%. Interiors Working For You has an excellent track record from the perspective of both selling time and selling price. There is a trend in the US and recently in Upper Canada where smart real estate companies are Staging each and every new listing. The beauty of Staging is that it is inexpensive. We find cost effective solutions, including the use of reasonably priced tradespeople if needed, the use of the homeowner's own possessions wherever possible, and if warranted household furnishings and accent pieces at a reasonable monthly rental rate. The Housing Urban Development (HUB) in the States did a study which showed that Staged homes sold for 17% more than the list price on average. Another study by Joy Valentine looked at 2772 homes over six months in eight US cities, from March to September 1999, and found that the average selling time was 13.9 days for staged homes versus 30.89 days for others. On average these staged homes sold for 6.4% over list price. In some cases the Staging process makes the difference between a house that sells and one that sits forever unwanted on the market. How do you meaure that?
staging tips
Planning to sell your home? These TIPS FOR SELLING a lived in home will help. It's prudent to ask a professional Stager for advice that is specific to your home. There are details however that every homeseller should pay attention to.
Remember that both the inside and the outside of a property will be evaluated by the buyer.
Take a walk towards and through your house, thinking about what the buyer will experience as they make this same approach. The approach to the home and the front door itself should be in pristine condition. The windows, bathrooms, and kitchen should be sparkling clean. Do any home repairs as necessary. For showings have the toilet seats down, closet and cupboard doors closed. Turn the lights on in any areas that are dim or to show off great lighting such as pocket ighta and under the counter lights. Ensure personal items are out of sight including photos and toiletries, and all countertops, shelves and table tops cleared off except for decorative pieces that add character. It is usually best to show rooms with their original intended usage only. A desk in the living room for example should be relocated while on the market. Organize and minimize closet contents neatly to show easy, spacious storage for the home. Ensure lots of fresh air and fully open all window coverings during the day unless the view is less than desirable.
Keep any evidence of pets to a minimum or nonexistant. Many people are afraid of or allergic to animals.
Cleaning, sorting, packing, rearranging and getting things out of the way are no small tasks. They are however excellent strategies for selling. Use this process to get ready for your move. You need to sort and pack anyways.
The next step is to showcase the property's best features, while minimizing any concerns, to present it at its best for its most likely buyers.
Wishing you a satisfactory, fast sale!  Melanie Orr CSP, ASP, Acc Interior Decorator902-223-3237 |