So, you're planning to sell your home and want it to sell for thousands of dollars over list price.
With a little (no, actually a lot) of hard work on your own, it's possible. Enlist the services of an interior stylist to professionally stage your home and that goal goes from possible to attainable.
Staging a home is a more complex process than it appears, said Kelly Penuita owner/head interior stylist of DecoChic Interiors.
"The reason many homes don't sell as quickly -- or for as much money -- as they should is that people often try to sell their homes looking the way they live in them from day to day," she said. "It's great that you're comfortable in the home, but the reality is that when you're selling a home, you have to make it attractive to a wide range of buyers."
How do you transform your house into a home that has mass appeal? By de-personalizing it, added Penuita's colleague, de-cluttering expert Susan Macaulay of Clarity Over Clutter.
"You really have to de-personalize you home to help potential buyers focus on your home," she explained.
"On average, buyers walk through your home in three to six minutes. That's not much time to get them to notice key features."
That means putting away items that are part of everyday life, such as jewelry, family pictures, bank records, credit card statements -- not to mention medications, both prescription and over-the-counter varieties.
"With those items put away, people won't be distracted when they walk through your home," Penuita said. "You want them to see the backsplash in the kitchen and the beautiful soaker tub in your ensuite; you don't want them looking at family pictures and diplomas as they walk through your home. For security, turn off the computer and put away family schedules, too."
There are also several other fundamentals that should be followed, added Macaulay.
"De-clutter the foyer and make it welcoming. From there, it should lead them into the home in orderly, uniform fashion. Try to invite people in. Then, stage every room. You don't just want to do just the master suite, ensuite, kitchen and family room. Kids are going to live in a home, too. If they can't imagine a room being theirs, parents may discount the home as a place where they want to bring up their kids."
Having the home neat, tidy and inviting from the day your Realtor puts the pictures -- both exterior and interior -- on MLS is critical, said Penuita.
"Statistics show that 93 per cent of people look at a house online before they choose to view it," she said. "Your home has to look good from top to bottom in the photos. If it doesn't look like it has much curb appeal and some rooms look untidy, people may bypass your home."
The moral of the story? It pays to have your home staged by an interior stylist.
"First impressions are lasting impressions," said Penuita. "Statistics show that professionally staged homes take 11.5 days to sell and sell for 3.66 per cent over list price. Staging a home is an investment that can pay dividends in getting thousands of dollars over your home's listed price. At the very least, consider getting a consultation. Getting your home professionally staged can really pay off."
For more information on the merits of home staging, call DecoChic Interiors' Kelly Penuita at 795-0968.
Top 5 staging tips
Toned-down colour palettes appeal to a wider range of potential buyers; a calming interior makes it easier for them to envision their belongings in the home.
Many people drive by a home before calling their agent. Doing some landscaping -- raking leaves, tidying flower beds and trimming hedges -- is well worth the effort; curb appeal yields a 100 per cent return on investment.
Allow adequate time to prepare your home for sale. Don't underestimate the amount of time, work and energy that's involved in getting your home ready to sell.
Many people are turned off by strong odours from pets, air fresheners, cleaning agents or smoking. Open windows and doors to allow your home to breathe. No odour is the best odour!
Allow as much natural light in as possible. Open blinds and curtains, clean windows and remove heavy drapes.
