What can you do to ensure Buyers like your home? Red Door DesignWorks recommends these TOP FIVE tips when it comes to staging:

1. Clean thoroughly

2. Declutter

3. Depersonalize

4. Enhance curb appeal

5. Fix maintenance problems

The inspiration for this post was sparked by a conversation about Staging…what’s new? When it comes to good staging advice, it is TIMELESS. The only thing that changes is the Seller’s ability to hear what the Stager is saying, and then allowing the Stager to do their job. Some home sellers hear it right away and act on it…other sellers need a dozen folks to walk through the home and reject it before they can see it through the Buyers eyes.

Here is an excerpt from an article featured on Wicked Local back in 2008:

“According to Red Door DesignWorks owners Andrea Canty and Allison Carswell, “home staging” is the process of professionally preparing a home to go on the market.

“We help ‘depersonalize’ a home so potential buyers can immediately envision themselves living in it,” Carswell said. For a house to hit the market with the most impact, the pair works with sellers to remove memorabilia, family photos, toys, clutter, and any unfinished projects.

“When buyers walk into a home, they instantly make a judgment about whether they can live in it or not. It’s a crucial 30-second first impression that can make or break the sale. For sellers looking to generate the most interest and attract multiple bidders, there’s not much room for error with their house presentation,” Carswell said.

While home staging has gained national exposure through reality television shows such as Designed to Sell and Get It Sold! on HGTV, it is relatively new to the Arlington market. Its novelty is something the Griffiths believe gave them an edge.

Their house sold within four days of being on the market, with multiple offers coming in over the asking price the day of the first—and only—open house. Today, the Griffiths are packing up boxes and preparing to move.

“In talking with friends around the country, home staging is much more common elsewhere. In some areas, you either home stage or perish,” Margit Griffith said. “In the not too distant future, it’s going to be something a lot more people in this area are going to be doing.”

Even though we are entering 2011, Staging can still make or break the sale of a home in our local market. Click here to read the 2008 Staging Article in its entirety.