Staging and Inspections
A “stager” looks through your home and gives you suggestions for how to make the home show the best for sale. In many cases, it is more about un-decorating than decorating, choosing the right colors for sale instead of personal taste, and attention to details that are often overlooked. The short story is that you don’t present a house for sale the same way you live in it.
All the stories we have beard indicate that money spent on a staging consultation is a good investment. After the consultation, you can choose what, if anything, to do to prepare the home for sale. Sellers who implement staging recommendations seem to sell their houses faster and for more money.
Builders spend large amounts of money “staging” their model homes, but if you look carefully you will see that it would be difficult to live in a model home. Some obvious issues with the way builder’s models are typically staged are:
- Window coverings are pretty, but often are not functional.
- Doors have been removed to provide a more open feeling, but most people would prefer to have more privacy available in bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Most model homes have no telephones or phone jacks adding clutter.
- Most model homes are missing the tools and appliances that are kept accessible in the various rooms of a real house.
Stagers who have done good work for real estate agents we know are:
- Hillary Ellis – Simple Solutions, 720-203-1740, www.simplehomestaging.net
- Trish Pachak – Center Stage Design, 303-521-8551, centerstageyourhome.com
- other resources may be found on the affiliates section of your local real estate board’s web site, such as Jefferson County Association of Realtors or North Metro Denver Realtor Association.
Agents will often make recommendations concerning warranties and pre-inspections. Resources for these services are also available at the above Realtor board web sites.
