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What is Home Staging?

Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace.  The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. –Wikipedia

Home staging, when done correctly, is a valuable tool that can lead to more money in your pocket at the closing table. Whether you do it yourself or hire a home staging company, you absolutely MUST invest some time (and possibly money) into staging your home for sale.  Trust us, you’ll be happy with the outcome!

Should I Hire a Professional Home Stager?

There are definite benefits to hiring a professional to help stage your home.  Aside from making your home look better in photographs and open houses/showings, the return on this investment will be seen in the price that your home commands when the offers start coming in.  Here are a few reasons why you should consider a home staging consultant or company:

Perspective – A professional does not have the same personal attachment to your belongings and furniture and will be able to create a clear and defined “look” that is more attractive to buyers and less personalized to your taste.  The goal will be to create a look that speaks to your home as a whole, not just one room at a time.

Experience – Reputable home stagers are very good at their jobs and have most likely done it for a long time.  Not only do they know exactly what to do, but they will also be able to get your home ready to bring buyers in faster than you’d expect.  The home stager’s expertise in traffic/crowd flow and design fundamentals lend themselves to success when attempting to get top-dollar.

Resources – A professional home stager will know exactly what they need to improve your space, and exactly where to get it.  From furnishings to art, an expert stager will acquire everything needed to make their vision a reality and get positive feedback from potential home buyers.

DIY Home Staging – Where to Begin?

Contrary to popular belief, home staging does not require a huge investment but it will take some time if you’re doing it yourself.  These simple tips can be very helpful to get your home market-ready:

Clean & De-clutter – This tends to go without saying.  Perform a deep cleaning of your home that includes the insides of cabinets and closets and all those corners you tend to ignore.  Put personal items away in storage boxes and try to maintain a neutral look that isn’t overly tied into your personal tastes.

Make it Cozy – Home staging is successful when potential buyers can already envision themselves living in the space.  Set the table, bake some cookies, and place fresh flowers around the home to give it a warm, happy atmosphere.  Be sure that lighting around the home is adequate and always open the blinds/curtains for showings. A clean and well-lit home that smells nice is always more appealing than the alternative.

Furniture and Walls – Move furniture away from the walls to make each room appear larger. Consult the web if you need some inspiration!  Opening the space will help the flow through your home and make it seem less “boxed-in.”  A new coat of paint is also not a bad idea, keeping in mind that neutral colors always work best.

HMG works with some great local home stagers, so hen you’re ready to sell your Knoxville-area home, contact us so we can help you get started on the path to home selling success!