Staged Homes Sell Faster And For More Money

By Lisa Scontras

It’s a common HGTV storyline: a frustrated home seller calls in the experts for advice to determine why they can’t seem to attract a buyer. Smiling television personalities then transform uninteresting living rooms and chaotic bedrooms into trend-setting showcases. And after 30 minutes of airtime, the show ends with smiling sellers having sold their once-stagnant listing for top dollar.

Of course, TV Land makes it look easy. But the reality is sellers don’t need to know their yin from their yang to understand that staging helps homes sell faster and for more money.

For many years, home staging has been the secret to selling in the high-end market. But today, basic home staging techniques are widely used in any Hawaii neighborhood to help sellers get their home ready for sale. And it’s easier (and less expensive) than you think.

“Staging brings warmth to a space and gives the viewer an idea of how the space can be used,” says Beth Makanani, Realtor and Partner at Prudential Locations. “Although we don’t hide blemishes, staging does take the viewer’s eye away from glaring imperfections.”

Start by asking a friend or neighbor for their objective opinion. Sellers need to think like a buyer – imagine they’re seeing the home for the first time. What is the first thing a buyer will notice from the street when they drive up? Statistics show a typical homebuyer makes up their mind within 30 seconds of walking into an open house. That means buyers are already forming their opinion as they pull into the driveway.

Makanani warns if the street is cluttered with parked cars, if intimidating dogs are barking in the yard or if there are visible maintenance or landscaping issues, buyers may be turned off.

“Curb appeal is critical and may mean the difference between a buyer just driving by the house or coming in to see it,” she says. “The home’s paint should be in good shape, landscaping neatly mowed and trimmed, and cars parked in the garage or carport.”

Inside the home, the number one rule is to scrub like crazy. Make sure every surface sparkles – kitchens and bathrooms especially. Ask your Realtor for staging tips. You are moving out, so why not pack some boxes early? Less stuff and fewer pieces of furniture make the home look bigger. The same holds true for closets and kitchen cabinets. Fewer clothes make closets look bigger. Be prepared. Buyers will open every closet, every cupboard – get rid of the junk that’s hiding in there.

“Even if you can’t afford to repair or remodel, cleaning up and decluttering your home is very important,” adds Makanani.

To-do list repairs, such as leaky faucets, running toilets, holes in the walls, torn screens, doors or windows that are difficult to close properly are distracting to buyers and really should be repaired, if possible. Ask your Realtor for electricians, plumbers or other handymen recommendations, if necessary, so that a five-minute fix up doesn’t turn into sending a potential buyer to

the competition.

“Homes that are staged (and marketed with good photography) sell much faster and for higher prices than similar unstaged homes,” says Makanani.

For a lesson in how home staging is masterfully used, visit some model homes on the island. New homebuilders dress up their model homes because they know how important it is to make a good first impression. They have likely employed interior designers to make color selections as well as ways to make their home appear more inviting. And there’s no reason you can’t do the same.

Makanani uses props, including plants, bath towels, shower curtains, to accessorize kitchen countertops, bathrooms and entries. If a property is empty, she has a selection of miscellaneous furniture pieces.

Whether you’re selling a million-dollar ocean-front estate or a 500-square-foot condo, key home preparations before you sell will help to accent the home’s best features. Call in your experts, so that you can sell quickly and for the most money possible.

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