So you’re getting ready to sell your home. Collecting boxes, buying roll after roll of packaging tape and the last thing you probably want to think about is bringing in more furniture! The natural question to ask is, “Is it worth it?”  Will you really see a return on that investment of time and money?  

The crazy seller’s market that we saw for the past two years is dissipating.  Homes aren’t selling the same day they come to market. So as a seller, you want to view your home as a product.  The first “showing” your home receives is generally that small picture on a screen. According to HomeAdvisor, staged homes spend 33% to 50% less time on market.  And from a 2021 NAR study, 23% of realtors reported an average increase in sale price of up to 5%.  On a $500,000 home, that’s a potential $25,000. 

Our team at Kestrel has experience in staging homes.  Here are a few tips we recommend; 1. Freshen up the front door and porch.  Give the door a fresh coat of paint (if in doubt, black is a good choice). Layer the doormat with a nice rug and a fresh neutral style welcome mat.  Add seasonal elements (flowers or pumpkins), but avoid cutesy.  Remember, you are creating a product to sell, not decorating your personal home. 2. Add plants. Every room can benefit from having a plant added to it.  Fake plants work really well for this; a small succulent in the bathroom window to a string-of-pearls plant on the mantelpiece.  Look through a home magazine and you’ll notice how much “green” is used! 3. Think spa for the master bedroom. Swapping out for white bedding, layered blankets, and fluffy white towels will add a feel of welcome relaxation to a master bedroom.

If you don’t know where to start, give us a call.   We offer staging services from a personalized checklist of recommendations to full implementation. Our new moving van makes it even easier for us to bring our staging supplies to you!

-KATHRYN CHURCH