Why Stage?

 Imagine you are trying to sell your car. Would you leave the Tim Horton’s cup in it, your tissue box or any other personal items? Would you leave it unwashed and try to sell it? Would you expect top dollar if the brakes are bad and it needs a new radiator?

My guess is that you would clear out your car, give it a wash and ensure it is in good running order…. so you get the most for your money. As you may know, it’s the little extra effort that counts!  Now, imagine two identical cars, one looks as I previously described and the other is cleared of clutter, vacuumed, washed and polished and in excellent working order, which one would you buy? I would hope that you would buy the one that is ready to go…since we are talking about the same car. That is the same principle behind Home Staging.

"Ottawa Homes Organized DIY Home Staging Kit" utilizes the basics of all good design and decorating, and allows you to complete the checklists and do the assessment yourself. Focal points are outlined and the checklist walks you through each room to be addressed.

The best way to make properties stand out on the Internet is to first properly stage and prepare them for sale and then take great photos of them to show internet surfers.

Check out this listing from a successful agent here in Ottawa, this listing was up as recently as two months ago! This agent appears to understand internet marketing very well, judging by the quality of her web site.

However, one of her listings had these photos! Just look at this clutter! Would you want to see more of this house?

Cover up the bed, remove the clutter, get rid of the box, clean the floor, paint…..

Take the pics off the wall so it doesn’t feel like someone elses home. Remove the empty box, make the bed, get rid of the mismatched area rugs….need I say more?

What does your eye see first? Mess! Do you even notice the stainless fridge, stove and the new hardwood? Not really due to all the junk on the counter and cabinets. Highlight the nice items and get rid of the rest!

What does your eye see first? If you are like most people, you see the mismatched chair first and not the beautiful new floor! Did you notice that the matching chair is in the corner? By placing the matching chair at the table, centering the table, clearing off the extra clutter and adding a nice centerpiece, the floor will then become the focal point and that is what stays with the house. See my point?

You would be amazed at how many homeowners do not think twice about the above concerns when selling their biggest asset….their home!

Look at this from this angle - no amount of newspaper ads will make your listings look better.  No Virtual tour can change the fact that the brown, mushroom accented tile in the kitchen lowers the asking price.  No open house will improve your listing photos.  No "artfully written" description will cause your potential buyer to 'overlook' the wall of family photos that say the home is not yours, or the eerie dolls in the living room. 

Now do you see why STAGING is so essential? Don’t you want top dollar for your home? Don’t you want people calling you or your agent in anxious anticipation of when they can get a viewing?

Staging is your miracle.  Staging eliminates those distractions that can cause a buyer to spend more time looking at the fridge photos than the kitchen.  It can also totally change the atmosphere of an uninviting house. 

• Home Staging is NOT about the homeowners preferences. We all have personal preferences, that is what Interior Design is for, but when it comes to selling your biggest asset, don’t you want it to appeal to the largest amount of potential buyers?

The process is really not all that difficult as home staging is a logical sequence of techniques that are used to transform spaces. It always helps to have guidelines to follow.

Where do I start? This is a common question that I have asked of me.

With my detailed checklist, the decision making process is off the shoulders of the seller, as you go through each room and follow the specific instructions.

There is a 3-step-solution that anyone can follow to a successful and profitable sale:

• The first are checklists, specifically made for each room, to evaluate what needs to be removed, updated or “edited” to make the property marketable and bring this highest price. I outline specific items to be removed, edited or cleared that many homeowners/realtors can often overlook.
• The second are checklists, tailor-made for each specific room, used to dynamize and decorate by adding elements, whether they are purchased or moved from another room, to set the stage and highlight your focal points. I outline many specific items, room by room, that you can use to enhance your homes visual appeal, and highlight the focal points!
• The third is to have a checklist that you can reuse on each day that you have a showing or an open house to ensure your home is seen at its absolute best!
• My DIY kit will allow you to review your home and do your own home staging. The checklist takes you to every area of your property, both inside and out, and will help you to define exactly what needs to be done.                                                        

With my DIY kit, it is like you have a home stager with you leading the way!

When completed, submit your before and after pictures, with or without comments to be published in the “Homeowners DIY section” (coming soon).

You, too, can stage your home…all you need is a detailed plan!

Click below to order your DIY kit today for only $24.95

OR

Call me for a staging consultation at only $149!

(613-878-5872)

It is as easy as that! Happy Staging!

Sincerely,

Kelly Filoso

BA, HSE, Professional Organizer

Ottawa Homes Organized

613-878-5872

Email: ottawastager@gmail.com