Neutralize, de-clutter and never underestimate the power of paint. Home staging has become a popular way to liven up homes and to ready them for the market. Whether you’re preparing to sell or planning on staying for years, there are plenty of ways to optimize your space and make it irresistible.
When cost counts
With Redesign to Sell in Sylvania, Carla Seely (419-262-3980, www.redesignagents.com) can offer not only real estate expertise, but staging advice. “In our area, about nine out of ten homes
don’t present well,” says Seely. When it’s time to put your home up for sale it’s important for it to shine its brightest to attract potential buyers.“During home shows of new neighborhoods, they’re
and they sell. There’s something to that,” she says. Most realtors advise their clientsto spend money to get the best possible return. “Kitchens, bathrooms, master bedrooms and living areas are the places where sellers see the return,” says Seely. Cost varies when staging homes, as every space is different. “Often people can’t afford not to stage. They might not see the full asking price, but they’ll get it sold,”
she states.
When it comes to preparing your home for market, Seely recommends removing personal items like family pictures. And for those who fi nd it cost-prohibitive to hire a stager or to make renovations, she says “everything needs to be SPOTLESS—clean your kitchens, bathrooms, etc.” While elbow grease might seem like a commonsense solution, Seely can’t emphasize it enough. Homes that shine are a way to make your space work for you, instead of against you.
Viewing the glass half full
Showhomes Toledo (419-344-9678. www.showhomestoledo.com) is a franchise owned by Judy Pokorny. She has been in the real estate business for nine years and mostly stages empty bankowned homes or homes that have been recently built. “The worst thing someone can do is leave a room empty,” she says. Pokorny reiterates the importance of comfortable conversation areas when placing furniture. Draw attention to a room’s focal point, an architectural detail or view. “Sellers have to remove themselves,” she said. “They have to think: if I walked into this house and saw this, would I want to buy it?” Pokorny also stresses the importance of curb appeal. Neatly trimmed shrubs, sidewalks in good condition and a clean, inviting front door will catch potential buyers’ attention. “A home only has 30 seconds to capture buyers. During those few moments they decide whether or not they want to see more,” she states.
Staging to stay
Not looking to put your home on the market? Owners can still achieve the right look for each room. Jan Thomas (419-270-6859.www.janmthomas.com) has been a local interior designer and artist for years. While she recommends staging for upcoming sales, her work focuses on homeowners who wish to stay in their current surroundings. “I stage to stay,” she says. Thomas advises homeowners on everything from room arrangements to countertop colors. “I’ll step in and offer advice on what to do if a room is confi gured poorly. Sometimes there’s an empty corner which needs to be fi lled, so I can make suggestions in that regard,” she said. Thomas also explains the importance of accents. “It’s a great way to freshen up a look. Changing pillows or hanging artwork at the right level can make
a room feel complete,” she says. Do-it-yourself design projects don’t always have the ideal outcome, but Thomas helps reign in the ideas with her design eye. “I eliminate a lot of mistakes before they’re made.” she says, “I have helped choose everything from countertops to roof colors. Sometimes people are too close to their project.” There are plenty of ways to liven up any space. If you’re moving cross-county or staying in Toledo for years to come, it’s simple to make your home shine.
