You’ve heard the term “home staging” before, but what is the true value of home staging? Certified Home Stager, Nikki Grella of the Lisa Hartsink Team, answers these questions and more below.

Q: What exactly is “Staging”?

Nikki: Coming from the term “setting the stage”, home staging is everything to do with preparing a property for sale in a way that allows potential buyers to see the home’s full potential and envision themselves in it. This often includes redecorating, decluttering, rearranging, or even minor renovations like painting, flooring, and updating fixtures.

Q: What is the purpose or benefit of Staging?

Nikki: The goal of staging is to make the property appealing to the greatest number of potential buyers. Neutralizing a space by eliminating clutter and removing personal items will provide a “clean palette” where buyers can imagine themselves. Staged homes also stand out more in listing photos (which are key in today’s home shopping process), and as a result, typically sell faster.

According to a study by the Real Estate Staging Association, staged homes spend 73% less time on the market than their un-staged counterparts. The true value of home staging is simply that doing it can increase the likelihood that you’ll sell your property faster, and for top dollar.

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Q: What else should sellers be doing to help present their home in its best light?

Nikki: Deep cleaning the interior from top to bottom can go a LONG way! Lingering odours (which you likely won’t notice) and unsightly stains are instant turn-offs for many buyers. Of course, we’re all busy and it’s a large task, so we encourage hiring a professional cleaning company to help.

Exterior maintenance is also important, as accessibility and curb appeal have a significant impact on how many potential buyers walk through the front door.

Q: If you’re bringing in new furniture and decor, what do the homeowners do with their belongings?

Nikki: Chances are you won’t be taking everything with you, so take this time to go through your belongings and donate, sell, or dispose of what you no longer need or want. As for items you know will be sticking around, there are tons of great options for temporary storage and our team is happy to help during this process!

Q: What about families who have kids and pets?

Nikki: For some clients, it can be helpful to move accessories out of the way between showings. After your home is staged, take lots of pictures including close-ups in each room. This way, you can easily replace items when you know a showing is scheduled, or before leaving home for the day. Also, consider designating “no go zones” in lesser-used rooms, and covering upholstery with sheets to keep pet fur off. Our team offers intermittent pop-bys if you need a little extra help!

Your family’s comfort through the process is the most important thing to us, so our staging plans always take your lifestyle into consideration!

We at the Lisa Hartsink Team would love to help showcase your home in its best light. Call us at 905.873.9944 or email info@lisahartsink.com to learn more about our value-added services like Home Staging.