For one reason or another, it's time to sell your home. And, truth be told, you're not exactly liking what you're seeing.
As you survey your home, the harsh realities of living in it for nearly 20 years -- and doing little to update it -- hit you square in your solar plexus. Compared to the houses showcased in the plethora of home-improvement magazines you've thumbed through, yours looks, well, drab, dated and (groan) cluttered.
What to do, oh, what to do? Call in a certified staging professional, that's what.
"We provide staging consultations for occupied or vacant properties as well as display suites and show homes," says Geri Zalitach of Creative Solutions Home Staging Services. "Staging isn't about hiding bad workmanship. It's about showcasing a home so that when buyers come in to view it, they'll see it in its best light. Our job is to make buyers fall in love with the property."
Century 21's Cole Castelane, realtor for 14 Saxon Bay, the Whyte Ridge-area home that's been transformed by Zalitach, says it pays -- literally -- to have any home staged.
"It makes total sense. Having a home staged makes for less stress, a quicker sale and getting top dollar for your home. It took a while to catch on -- I've been doing it with many of my homes for about two years now -- but people in Winnipeg are now seeing the merits of doing it," he says.
That's been the case for Paul Sveinson, whose brother recently passed away without warning. Confronted with the monumental task of preparing a 1,200-square-foot bungalow for sale, he wasn't sure he was up to it in the midst of coming to terms with his sibling's untimely death.
When Castelane suggested that Zalitach come in to freshen (and straighten up) the premises, he quickly accepted the offer.
"Let's just say that Geri provided a great buffer between me and the previous owner," he says. "She took the emotion out of the whole process. Geri relieved me of having to spend time in an empty house by myself with all the memories, and her expert touch also brought new life to the home. I'm very grateful for that."
Zalitach says it's a service she's happy to provide. In the case of 14 Saxon Bay, there was a good foundation to work with.
"The home was in good shape overall. It just needed a few minor repairs and some painting here and there. We also updated some light fixtures, some carpeting, did lots of cleaning, and rented new furniture to give each room a more contemporary look. The home is now move-in ready. Before, it wasn't anywhere near ready to show."
On a limited budget of just over $2,000, Zalitach was able to work her magic and enhance the visual appeal of each room. Thankfully, the paint throughout the home was largely intact, eliminating an issue that could have meant added time and expense.
"We can usually work with the existing colour scheme if the paint is in good shape," she says, adding that individual rooms can be staged for as little as $1,000 each. "In this home, we just had to touch up certain areas. We updated the light fixture and blinds in the kitchen, added new draperies to the living room and bedrooms, and replaced carpeting in the master. Other than that, we just placed detail accessories here and there, and created little vignettes in the different rooms."
Castelane says the payback from having a home staged can be quite substantial.
"The return can be anywhere from five to 10 per cent above the asking price for a home that has been staged versus one that hasn't," he says. "So it actually costs less to hire Geri than to make your first price reduction. Staging a home can make a big difference. You'll sell it in less time, and get more."
How right Castelane turned out to be. The home was snapped up in short order and sold for $276,000 -- an impressive $26,100 more than the asking price.
"As a real estate agent, it's my job to offer clients unique ideas, including interior design services to facilitate the sale," he says. "Once I tell them about the success we've had in getting well over list using a certified home stager, they're very enthusiastic, and are willing to spend extra capital to help their property show it's best. You only get one chance to establish a first good impression when showing a property."
Which is why an increasing number of people are enlisting the services of home staging consultants, adds Zalitach.
"As Cole said, you only have that one chance to create a positive first impression," she says. "Home staging really brings value to the sellers. It's worth the investment, especially in such a competitive market."
Things to to do when preparing to sell
- Get rid of excess furniture. If a certain piece is dated, doesn't fit or serve a definite purpose, deep-six it.
- Don't mix the old with the new. Don't buy a new sofa, and then surround it with end tables and accent pieces from the 1970's - the clash will not be lost on prospective buyers!
- Show off your art. You might have some great art pieces, but if they aren't properly showcased, their intended impact on a room will be lost.
- Evaluate your lighting. If it dates back to the 1960s, it might be a good idea to lose it. And if lighting is poorly placed, a room can end up looking too dark, or even too bright.
- Eliminate the "Tired Effect." Maybe your tired purple or blue sink/toilet was the rage 30 or 40 years ago, but it likely isn't now. If budget allows, get something more neutral to create a more contemporary look.
- Declutter. When selling your home, you want the home to be easy to navigate. Eliminate items clogging doorways, hallways -- and lying about in rooms -- and you'll give potential buyers a better chance to visualize how the home would work for them.
- Perform minor repairs and touch-ups. If a room would benefit from a new coat of paint or touch-up in a showcase area, do it. Same for minor repairs: nail that baseboard or crown molding back into place, or clean that dirty grouting in the bathtub. After all, as Zalitach says, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
