Ask the Expert: Home Staging

MARCYNE TOUCHTON

ASP(R), ASPM(R)

Founder of Domaine Staging, LLC

Many home sellers are now using the services of a professional home stager. When the house sits on the market for over 3 months, they realize that homes in our current market, with so much inventory to choose from, cannot be sold as is. Reduction in price won't guarantee a sale either, They see the value in staging a home, removing clutter and "de-personalizing" -because it is proven that a home that is staged sells faster, and gets top dollar. According to stagedhomes.com, a staged home sells in just 24 days versus the 177 days on the market of the average unstaged home. Yet too often I see homeowners-and even some professional stagers, forget about the first impression a house makes - from the outside.

My experience has shown me that staging a home should be done from the outside in. As a prospective home-buyer drives up to the property, they will form an impression of the house-and if the house is going to sell-that impression needs to be a good one! Simple things like new cushions on the lawn furniture, and a newly mowed lawn give the house a clean and fresh appearance. New mulch and landscaping assure the buyer that the yard has been well-cared for. And planters with blooming flowers or a seasonal wreath provide a warm welcome. Bigger improvements such as repairs to the driveway, or patio and new lighting can pay for themselves immediately in the higher offers that come through! Don't forget about the windows, it needs to be sparkling clean - free of cobwebs and check to make sure there is no wood rot on the windowsills.

A professional home stager will be able to look at the outside of the home with the same keen eye as we do the inside-looking for ways to declutter, tidy, and give the best impression. Everything from little touches to larger projects, such as a Metro GreenScape paver patio can increase the actual and perceived value, make it unique and sell that home quickly.

If you would like more information and/or to receive the Domaine Staging newsletter, email me at marcyne@domainestaging.com. You can also catch Domaine's tip of the day, become a Domaine Staging fan on Facebook!

* according to Stagedhomes.com. ASP, the only recognized designation by National Association of Realtors (TM).

Charlotte Exterior Home Staging

We are now offering Exterior Home Staging Packages:

Our Exterior Home Staging Team offers three different plans to help give your home that extra curb appeal!

Below are details about our Bronze Staging package (Typical 1/3-acre property size) This package includes a combination of the following exterior enhancements:

1) Six (6) flats of annuals, placed in pots on each side of the front steps or door, and the rest planted in the front to showcase the mailbox area.

2) Weeds pulled 20 feet on each side of the front door entrance way.

3) Re-edging of 60 feet of flower beds.

4) Pine straw distributed over 500 square feet of flower beds.

5) Removal of all yard debris and debris from our project.

6) Spot seeding of the front yard.

7) Cob webs removed from the side of the home.

8) Pressure washing of the walkway up to front door or front focal point.

9) Gutters checked for debris and clog checked at bottom spouts.

10) Trimming of up to ten shrubs if under 2 feet tall.

Cost for Bronze Staging Package is $750.00.

If you are interested in learning more about this, or our other available Charlotte area home staging packages, please call us at 704.504.0980.