Home Staging: The Essential Art for Selling Your Property Successfully
In the competitive world of real estate, staging has emerged as a critical strategy for homeowners aiming to sell their properties quickly and at optimal prices. Professional home stager Tara Melhus, based in Calgary, emphasizes the importance of this practice, particularly in a challenging market where sales have been declining for eight consecutive months.
The Rising Demand for Staging Services
Tara Melhus reports being exceptionally busy, balancing presentations at local home shows with staging assignments across Calgary. This surge in demand coincides with a downturn in the housing market. According to Calgary Real Estate Board statistics from January, sales dropped nearly 15 percent year over year, while inventory increased by almost 21 percent. In response, both buyers and realtors are increasingly relying on staging to enhance a home's appeal and facilitate successful transactions.
Steve Hanson of Restage Home Staging underscores the necessity of staging for achieving top dollar and swift sales. He co-founded his company over two decades ago, a time when staging was virtually unknown. Today, it has become an industry standard. Hanson cites compelling statistics: staged homes sell 86 percent faster than non-staged homes and command an average of eight percent higher prices.
Expert Insights and Practical Approaches
Hanson and his wife Kim operate from a 25,000-square-foot warehouse stocked with furnishings, having staged an impressive 14,000 homes throughout their career. Their method involves swapping in furniture and decor to create inviting spaces that help potential buyers envision themselves living there.
However, Melhus adopts a more personalized approach, working directly with clients and their existing belongings. "There isn't one size fits all approach when it comes to staging," she explains. "Often people have all of the right things, they just need to rethink their space." She focuses on teaching homeowners to view their environments differently, encouraging them to stage for sale rather than daily living. Her guiding question is: "How can we turn this home into a show home, while still living in it?"
Top Recommendations for Effective Staging
Melhus highlights three key strategies for successful staging:
- Declutter: Remove excess items to create a clean, spacious feel.
- Depersonalize: Minimize personal artifacts to allow buyers to imagine the space as their own.
- Upscale Curb Appeal: Enhance the exterior to make a strong first impression.
She stresses that curb appeal is paramount, as potential buyers form perceptions within seconds of arrival. "You want people to feel invited in," Melhus advises, suggesting actions like shoveling sidewalks, painting the front door an inviting color, and maintaining gardens with vibrant flowers.
The Historical Roots of Home Staging
Melhus draws inspiration from Barb Schwarz, a pioneer who initiated the home staging trend in 1972. A former decorator turned realtor from Bellevue, Washington, Schwarz believed that staging properties like movie sets could accelerate sales and increase profits. In her book, Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money, she writes, "It's all about setting the scene for a sell-out performance. No one can ever buy a home unless they can mentally move in."
As the real estate market evolves, staging remains a vital tool for homeowners. By adopting these expert techniques, sellers can transform their living spaces into compelling showcases, ultimately achieving faster sales and higher returns in any market condition.
