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Home Staging Scenarios Massachusetts

As a Massachusetts Home Stager, I often find that I need to educate potential Sellers about the value of staging their house for the market, no matter what the size, condition or asking price. Having helped prepare hundreds of homes for the market, I have never found a home that did not need staging. So I would like to show you some of these home staging scenarios Massachusetts so that you can see firsthand how staging can help to make all homes more marketable.

Home Staging Scenarios Massachusetts-The Model Home

When people think of staging they often think of the model home. This is where the home stager goes into a vacant home and furnishes it with either rental furniture and soft furnishings; furniture and soft furnishings that are bought by the owner (usually a builder, investor or developer) ;or a combination of the two. Model homes are usually the most expensive form of staging. The investment in staging often helps the builder or developer sell other homes in a sub division.

The expected length of time that the furnishings will remain at the property will determine whether it is financially more beneficial for the customer to rent or buy. Each model home should appeal to the demographic of the potential Buyer. Here is an example of a home in Swansea, Ma. The design aesthetic is  "upscale beach chic".         

Home Staging Scenarios Massachusetts-The High End Resale

I have been in countless houses of all sizes and price ranges and have seen many high end homes that benefited dramatically from staging. Sometimes the customer just needed a thorough staging report and consultation in order to help them determine how to position furniture so that the Buyer's eyes will focus on the selling features of the room. Or to detail ways to make the home feel less "dated" by removing old wallpaper and painting. Or to pump up the curb appeal by edging and mulching. There is always fine tuning to be done before marketing any home and high end homes attract high end customers that expect more.

Here is a picture of one of my favorite  re sale bath makeovers. I met with the Seller for an affordable consultation and report. In this bath I suggested that she create a "spa like feeling-an oasis and retreat" . I gave her recommendations on specifics, like the blinds,towels,pictures and decorations.She interpreted this beautifully! Just an FYI, she saved money by painting the sink area for a clean,unified look.

Home Staging Scenarios Massachusetts-The Antique

Antique homes in Massachusetts are my favorite. The trick in marketing an antique is to maintain the character and charm of the antique while making it still feel updated - as in "not dated". I once went to stage a home that was a Victorian and the design aesthetic was VERY Victorian. That might have worked ok in the 1980's when that opulent kind of design would be appreciated but not in 2011 when people look to a more streamlined, simpler appeal. The Seller believed that there would be a Buyer that would appreciate the Victorian look, even though I tried to convince her that it would appeal to more Buyers if we did things like remove the "taste specific "wallpaper and paint the walls in updated neutrals,etc.

Buyers like the charm of the old mixed with a feel of "new". Rememeber, the more Buyers that the house appeals to, the more possible offers. Unfortunately she did not take my advice or the Real Estate Agent's advice on price and it did not sell!

However,plenty of other Sellers of Antique homes benefitted from home staging and did very well!  Here are a couple examples of letting the charm of the house shine through.This home sold rather quickly-even in a challenging market!

Home Staging Scenarios Massachusetts-The Lower Priced Home

Often Sellers have the misconception that only higher priced homes should be staged. They think that staging is too expensive and they would not benefit from this marketing technique. This is simply not true. An affordable staging consultation by a professional can reap extreme benefits.

For instance,many lower priced homes have smaller square feet. The goal of the stager might be to help the Seller make the rooms look larger. They might also help the Seller get the house ready so that the pictures look better online. Over 93% of Buyers look online so this is extremely important! Put yourself in the Buyer's place. Which picture might get you to pick up the phone to see this townhouse?

The bottom line is that any house can be staged to look better. Each house has its own needs and it is important to know what demographic that you are trying to appeal to as well as how to best optimize the showing power of your home! A professional home stager can help you get your home show ready!