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                         GOT FURNITURE?...why stage vacant properties                                                                         

  

                              EXPERTS' NOTES
 

 

By now, most people realize that some degree of cleaning and decluttering is beneficial when trying to sell a house.

    • But what about trying to sell an empty house? 
    • What if your investment property is ready to go on the market, but it’s empty?
    • What if you’ve already moved out of your family home, and now your house is left with no furniture -  won’t that help to sell it? 
    • Won’t the rooms look larger if they’re empty?
    • Doesn’t the house look cleaner than it did with all your furniture in it? 
    • Won’t the buyer be able to better picture their own stuff in the empty rooms?

The answer to each of these questions is no. Studies have shown that unstagged, unoccupied homes sit on the market longer than staged ones.

Why is this?

  1. Rooms actually appear smaller when they’re empty. Unless a buyer actually measures a space, it’s difficult to see the difference between a 10 x 12 room and a 14 x 16 room.
  1. Buyers tend to overestimate the size of their furniture, assuming it will take up more space than it actually would.   It’s important to show buyers not only that furniture will fit in a space, but also how it can be arranged.  This takes away some of the uncertainty they’ll feel if they can’t see the space furnished.
  2. Each room needs to be identified with a purpose.   Even small vignettes of furniture can help buyers picture how to use a space. Remember, that only 10% of potential buyers can visualize potential, so if it’s not showing well, 90% of buyers looking at the home simply won’t feel motivated to make an offer.
  3. When a room is empty prospective buyers can’t help but notice the negative details.  Instead of looking at the flow of one room to another, they get bogged down in things like bumps in the carpet or imperfections in the drywall.  Staging helps them connect with the space on an emotional level, and reinforces the positives of a house while minimalizing the negatives.

 

While looking at these pictures, notice how you emotionally connect with the “afters”.  That’s what we want to achieve with potential buyers.

THE ROOM'S FOCAL POINT IS HIGHLIGHTED and buyers will feel the warmth it will provide on cold winter nights.

 

BREAKFAST AREA AFTER STAGING - you can see the kids eating breakfast or sitting and having coffee while reading the Sunday paper.

 

THE STAGED LIVING ROOM WELCOMES BUYERS and helps visualize the size of the room with furnishings.

 

            So what is involved in staging a vacant home?

First, there is the initial consultation where a professional home stager will come out and view the home, take measurements and create a room by room design.  We’ll work with you and decide how much of the house needs to be furnished.  In some cases, not every room needs to be staged. The professional stager knows how to prioritize, and which rooms are critical to buyers.  We work closely with CORT rental furniture and can come up with a plan that fits your budget. We will advise you on exactly what should be done to create the overall effect you need to have your home looking its best.

 

 

                                      Written by Barb McCarthy                     502-244-4949               www.stagingworks-louisville.com                bamccarthy@insightbb.com