DIY: Home Staging

By Ken Hoyt

According to S&P/Case-Schiller quarterly index the housing market has not declined this quickly for the past twenty years. Across the nation home prices fell, on average 3.2%. The LA Times report had good news for one region… “By comparison, the Pacific Northwest was strong, with prices rising 7.9% in Seattle and 4.5% in Portland.”

Here in Oregon, where I live, houses are still selling… just more slowly. We’re in a Buyer’s Market (meaning the buyers have the majority of power). When you’re selling in that sort of climate it’s critical that you have “the best house at the best price.”*
Most often judiciously improving a home is money well spent. It’s like going on a date; you want to look your best. For a house on the market it’s like a series of first dates… and the first impression is everything for a house buyer. But in this case one of those dates needs to result in a commitment.

You’ll want to put your best foot forward. I think that it’s a matter of removing objections; i.e. like the hot pink bathroom, soiled or worn carpeting or chipped laminate. Details like those will leave a bad image, and may feel insurmountable to homebuyers. **

I regularly work with people readying their homes for market. One thing that is consistently true: it’s really hard to be objective about our own homes. The beloved details that we’ve added are, in many cases, so personal that they appear to be quirky to a set of new eyes. And the joy of living in our homes blinds us to worn materials and outdated design.

Myadvice is to get some outside help. Whether that is a design professional or a really good friend you trust to be honest. Making the right decision is often worth thousands of dollars.

*A trusted real estate broker/friend says that her biggest concern these days is the people who set unrealistic price goals for a home. “Price adjustments can send a negative impression to the purchasers, who may want even lower prices.”

**This is especially true for first time homebuyers who may feel overwhelmed by the down payment and moving costs.

(For more information visit my blog.

Tagged:
diy home style staging thrift

September 03, 2007

5 comments

Viewed 770 times

Ken Hoyt's blog (80 posts)

Subscribe to this blog
Member since: 07/03/07
About: My small business, Interior Advocate, provides design solutions for interiors. And I write about living...

More by Ken Hoyt

Comments

» All comments

cindyAtStaged4more

September 06, 2007

there are not a lot of stagers who blog, if they do blog, it's not very consistent. but stagers who do blog, majority is on active rain. active rain is great for real estate professionals. you can browse through blogs without joining. i also blog about staging a lot as well. you can go to www.staged4more.com and click on "blog." i am actually changing everything over to a blog site by the end of september to make it easier to browse.

bruno

September 05, 2007

Any other good Internet resources out there for people looking for staging tips (professions or DIY)?

cindyAtStaged4more

September 04, 2007

Yes, that's exact what stagers' consultation reports do where sellers can DIY the staging themselves.

Ken Hoyt

September 04, 2007

i think you've got a solid point. I know, though, that there are many people who can't afford to hire help. I try to help them by having short appointments that produce long lists.

Thanks for commenting!

Ken

cindyAtStaged4more

September 04, 2007

It's very true. I am a real estate stager but I wouldn't stage my own house if I sell. It's just too overwhelming for me to handle. It really helps if there is someone who is an outsider to help staging the home to appeal to a wider range of buyers.

Cheers,

Cindy

DIY: Home Staging

Ken Hoyt's blog (80 posts)

More by Ken Hoyt

Comments

cindyAtStaged4more

bruno

cindyAtStaged4more

Ken Hoyt

cindyAtStaged4more

Add a Comment!

Related

What's Hot

Most Commented