Stage Your Home to Sell Faster Without Breaking the Bank

The spring season is traditionally the busiest time of year in real estate. The sunshine and fresh air makes way for eager house hunters to begin their tour of open houses.  Each home they walk through will be analyzed from top to bottom, making its way through the buyer’s mental checklist and raising valid questions.   How does it stack up to others in its price range?  How much work will need to be put in to it? Is it move-in ready? Can I picture myself living here?

A recent survey of 89 homes conducted by The Real Estate Staging Association revealed that on average it took 166 days for the homes to sell without being staged.  Those same homes received their first offer in an average of 32 days after being professionally staged.   “Proper staging can go a long way to get a home sold as fast and at the highest price as possible,” says Jim Dohr, president of Coldwell Banker Gundaker. “As home owners gear up to put their homes on the market, they should consult with their Realtor on cost effective staging ideas.”

Every home has its own character and special features that should be enhanced.   For instance, to draw attention to a fireplace you can add an attractive centerpiece to the mantle or a display of fresh flowers or to create a separation of space you can strategically place a tall plant or bookshelf.   Another smart way to add value to a home is to incorporate luxurious, but affordable, touches specifically in the master bedroom.  Minor changes like new bedding, plush pillows and drapes can entice a potential buyer to begin envisioning themselves in the comfort of their new bedroom.  Fresh towels and hand soap in the master bath will also add a hint of elegance.  When battling small spaces, the simplest way to make a room appear larger is to rearrange furniture, and even eliminate some pieces if necessary to open up walk ways.  Family rooms should always have a seating area arranged that encourages conversation and family time, which will also be of good use for potential buyers to have a seat with their Realtor to discuss more details about the home. 

Small investments and minor changes will pay off in the long run when prepping a home to sell.

Coldwell Banker Gundaker, the leading residential real estate brokerage company in St. Louis, operates 19 offices and is affiliated with 1,500 independent sales associates serving metropolitan St. Louis and east-central Missouri. Coldwell Banker Gundaker is part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. For more information, please visit www.cbgundaker.com.

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Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Gundaker are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Gundaker.