Jim Gergeni

Staging Guide

Home buyers want to see neutral decor, neat and tidy spaces, clutter stored and hidden away, and updated faucets and lighting. You don’t have to spend a lot to update your spaces.

 Top 15 Dos

Spruce up your curb appeal. Potential buyers judge your home before they even enter it. Make this first impression count. Plant flowers, mow the lawn, put out a welcome mat and make small repairs that you have been putting off.

Neutralize. Potential buyers need to imagine themselves living in your home. A neutral home appears larger and has less chance of offending someone. Also, open up blinds and draperies to make sure there's sufficient natural light throughout the home. Remember, lighting is the most effective way to set a mood. Make it easy for them by removing all personal items such as family pictures and/or religious statues. Also, get rid of any loud paint colors, offensive wall coverings or in-your-face accessories.

Declutter. Get rid of any superfluous items that detract from the rooms. Hide figurines; throw out or recycle junk mail, newspapers and magazines; file disheveled papers; and put clothes, shoes and the like out of sight. Get a head start on packing, and begin boxing up extras that are taking up space on your mantel, table surfaces, etc. Clutter makes a house look smaller, and if you have a small house, it makes it feel claustrophobic. “In the bathroom, nothing will turn off buyers more quickly than clutter and junk,” says a professional stager. “Don’t leave personal items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, hairspray, etc., anywhere in sight. Remove small area rugs. Don’t close the shower curtain. Don’t leave the toilet seat up.”

Remove all big clunky furniture. Oversize couches, chairs or coffee tables have to go. If you cannot replace them with smaller pieces, get rid of as much as you can — less is more.

Don't run out and purchase all new furniture. Chances are the furniture you have is not the reason your space is not selling. You may just have too much of it in one area. Or perhaps it needs to be cleaned or just neutralized with a simple throw. Remove before you completely redo.

Remove the Photos:
People can be very photogenic, but many clients are distracted by portraits of the sellers, and miss out on key selling points of the home.

Clean, clean, clean. This simple tip is essential. Pretend that your mother or mother-in-law is coming for a visit. Think hotel clean. Dust, vacuum, clean the windows and mop the floors and baseboards. Make sure there are no odd odors floating around or major stains on the carpet or furniture. If you have pets, especially indoor pets, make sure that during your listing period, you are particularly fastidious in cleaning up after them. You might even consider consulting a neutral nose by having a friend come by for a smell test. Do like your mother said and make your bed. Remember that people will look in your cupboards, under your sinks and in your closets also.

Make repairs.
Make your home a high-maintenance zone. Repair squeaky doors, chipped or smudged paint as well as broken fixtures and fittings that you've neglected.

Apply a fresh coat of paint.
It's the best bang for your buck that will quickly refresh a dull, dated room. Slap a fresh, neutral color on the space. Choose beige or taupe for living spaces and a neutral green or blue for bathrooms.

Don't forget the floors.
Get rid of worn carpets, and consider refinishing shabby hardwood floors. An inexpensive new area rug is a quick fix and can disguise the look of an old floor.

Spring for new light fixtures.
Renew the look of the room by replacing old or dated light fixtures, door hardware, light switches and outlets. If it's tacky and older than you, get it out of there.

 Accentuate the Positive: It's usually what they saw that made them want to buy, or it's something that they added to make the home particularly special. Do something to make the buyers linger in that magic space.

Smells Like Home: A few plug-in air fresheners like vanilla in the kitchen, fresh scents in the laundry, apple cinnamon in the living room and such make a home smell appealing.

Embrace the Quiet: If you are going to play music, be sure it doesn't have vocals. Opt for soft jazz playing at a low level and keep the television turned off. It’s a distraction.

Go Away:
No buyers want to discuss your home while you are standing there. On average buyers spend about 20-30 minutes in a home that has some promise; very few stay more than 5 minutes in a house with the seller in earshot. If nothing else, go outside on the porch or in the yard, and let the home speak for itself.

Top 4 Don'ts.

Don't take it personally. As soon as you decide to make the commitment to sell your home, you need to think of it as a product, one that you want to sell fast and for top dollar. Don't take buyers' remarks personally. Instead, think of it as free advice on how to make your product live up to its highest potential. Emotionally detach yourself.

Don't do major renovations. Finishes and fixtures that you see as beautiful may not suit every buyer's tastes. It is best to limit the amount of time and investment you make on renovations to the essentials — replace old flooring, tackle small repairs, paint, change outdated fixtures. Save your renovation energy and dollars for your new home.

Don't think the house will sell itself. The real estate market is a game. You need to make your home the most appealing product on the block. Declutter, clean, do small repairs, repaint and, in general, make it feel fresh and welcoming.

 Don't be afraid to ask for help. Call in a professional stager, whether they just spend a few hours giving you some helpful tips or they come in to completely redecorate your entire space. It is money well spent and will eventually end up back in your pocket when you sell your home for top dollar.

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