The term “staging” used to refer to musicals and plays instead of homes. Today, any fan of home improvement television is well acquainted with the term as it relates to selling a home. Home staging is the act of preparing a residence for sale in the real estate market. The goal of staging is to improve the appearance of a home so it attracts the highest number of potential buyers so it sells swiftly and for top dollar.

Staging focuses on improving the visual appearance of a home or business space by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive property with wide appeal. The process involves the use of artwork, painting, accessories, lights, greenery, and carpet to give potential buyers the best possible first impression of the property.

History of Home Staging

Said to have been invited in 1972 by a woman named Barb Schwarz, who has background in theater, Home Staging was initially a hard sell, because people did not want to decorate their houses to sell them. Most didn’t understand why they should take the time, money and effort to personalize at that stage.

Schwarz explains the distinction: “Decorating and staging are two different things. Decorating is personalizing a home. Staging is de-personalizing. Your investment in home staging will always be less than the first price reduction, if the house is staged appropriately and priced correctly.”

Since most buyers would like to sell their homes as quickly and as profitably as possible, staging is a no-brainer. If you would like to save money instead of hiring a professional stager, follow these five helpful tips for staging your home to sell:

1. Curb appeal. If you want to wow buyers before they step foot on your property, pay attention to the front yard, door and porch. Most house hunters drive by homes before scheduling tours. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting your first chance to make a first impression.
2. Keep it clean. If you don’t have time to Spring Clean your house, hire a team to make it shine. If you go it alone, don’t forget about windows, grout, baseboards and closets. While guests politely refrain from peeking into cabinets and pantries, potential buyers are known to open every door so they can assess storage space.
3. De-clutter. If you are serious about selling your home, get rid of clutter. If you have lots of personal items, use offsite storage. Most potential buyers can’t picture their own possessions in a home if the space is filled to the brim.
4. Set the table. Do you eat at your dining room table? It doesn’t matter. Stage it with decorative napkins, dishes, cutlery and glassware as if you are about to host a dinner party. If your table is in rough shape, cover it with a tablecloth. If it’s too large or small for the room, think about renting a replacement and storing your own.
   
   
5. Neutralize. While you enjoy looking at family photos, personal items will remind buyers that they are in someone else’s home. You want them to picture themselves in your house if you are serious about selling. So, remove evidence that you live there. For rugs, throw pillows and bedspreads, use neutral colors instead of items that define your personal style.

When it’s time to list your Redlands home, Keller Williams Realtor Candace Cantu McGloin is qualified and willing to help home buyers and sellers across Southern California. She specializes in the cities of Redlands, Highland, Yucaipa, Grand Terrace, and Loma Linda but has done transactions both on the buying and selling side throughout Southern California. To learn more about real estate in Redlands or the Inland Empire or to list your home, call Candace directly at (951) 201-2443.