CM Staging Solutions Blog - A Toronto Home Staging Perspective

It has been a long time since I have come across a real estate agent today who says they don’t think home staging works… but believe it or not on Friday I did.  Forget that he and his clients booked an appointment with me in Lawrence Park because his buying clients were interested in purchasing the majority of my rental furniture and were eyeing the décor accessories and hanging pictures.  But no, my staging service "did nothing to enhance the sale of the home".. of course not!

As someone who once was a real estate agent, I cannot tell you how many countless times I have gone into a home with buyers and when that home was staged I could feel the buying energy from my buyers.

That is not to say every staged home sends every buyer into a purchasing frenzy, but it amazed me how many times I would start working with a buyer and they would say to me..  “I don’t want a finished home, I want a fixer-upper that way I can save some money and fix it up how I like it.”

Of course I would show them “fixer-uppers” but I would also show them “staged” homes to help them envision the full potential.  In my experience 75-80% of the time the buyers would change their decision and put in an offer on a staged home.

There is something so much more relaxing when you get into the thick of trying to buy a house and how exhausting and laborious it can become, especially when you set your original sights on buying a fixer-upper.

So I’m afraid when a real estate agent comes to me and says “home staging doesn’t work, it had nothing to do with selling THIS house” I’m sorry but you’re preaching to the already converted.

Saying home staging doesn’t help to sell homes faster is like saying the MLS (multiple listing service) doesn’t work with either.  If you click on the pictures you can view where to rent these items.

The Home Staging Basics

1. De-clutter: Buyers want to the home, not the stuff.
2. Clean: Oven, Fridge, Stove, Power-Wash Siding, Porches, Railings, Windows, Skylights, Drapery and Blinds
3. Eliminate Odors:  Keep windows open 10 minutes a day.

Make Your Investment More Spacious

1. Get rid of excess furniture or replace oversized/outdated pieces of furniture with newer, more appropriately scaled items.  Renting from a staging company will ensure you get the most appropriate pieces with minimum stress.
2. Brighter spaces appear more spacious.  Dark corners should be lit with accent lighting. Change bulbs to maximum illumination to achieve same effect.
3. Remove excess area rugs and mats.
4. Paint cement floors, walls and/or ceiling in your basement to give the illusion of more space in an often-neglected space.

Make Your Home "Move-In-Ready"

1. Don't underestimate a fresh coat of paint - in the right colour of course.
2. Make minor repairs (tend to dripping faucets, cracked tiles, moldy caulking or grout, loose hardware/handles, sticky drawers or unhinged closet doors)
3. Clean carpets or replace if necessary.

Make Your Investment Updated

1. Consider removing heavy drapery, swags or valances.
2. Update kitchen hardware and light fixtures
3. Don't neglect the furnace room, fuse box and electrical panel. If it looks clean, it looks newer!
4. Be 'MLS ready', rent contemporary art, furniture and accessories.

Make Your Home Welcoming

1. We want buyers to connect with the home and imagine themselves living in your home - put away anything connected with your family and personal interests, such as family photos, diplomas, trophies, etc.
2. Set lights to timers to ensure lights are on for evening showings.
3. Leave the heat and/or air conditioning on to keep temperatures comfortable and circulate air.
4. Keep the lawn mowed, and landscape tidy. Hide the garbage and recycling bins and consider placing 2 urns with season flowers at the entrance.
5. Add a touch of warmth:  a well-placed vase of flowers, a bowl of green apples, or a small candle can warm up a room and make the house seem cared for.