Creating Empty Space When Selling

When it comes to staging a home, new furniture, cleaning and organizing seem to be the hot topics. There is however, an important dynamic in staging that is not often addressed which is what I call "empty space". This tends to come into play more so for homeowners living in their home while selling.

Empty space is important because it offers the perception of having an abundance of space(square footage). The buyer gets the impression that there is more than enough livable space. The balancing act comes into play through strategic staging tactics that still demonstrate how the home is used without "over-decorating" the space.

Here are some helpful tips for opening up the space without losing ambiance.

Move furniture away from the wall. Like this...

via The Evergirl, see the house tour here.

I call it "furniture arrest", where all of the furniture is up against the wall. Moving furniture away from the wall and placing a sofa table behind, or perhaps nothing, just gives the room an airy feeling. 

There are very few cases where a chair should be square up against a wall.

Remove layered drapes and hang them high.

Window treatments warrant their own post for later, however for creating space, removing heavy swags and layered panels is a good start. This will open up the space, let the light in and make the room feel bigger. Solid colored panels are always a good bet. Drapes should be hung high, not at window height.

Clear the countertops.

Clearing the countertops can help open up the kitchen space however, creating purposeful decor is important. Too much empty space can call attention to any defects and also lose the emotional impact needed to connect with buyers.

Use white hotel bedding.

via Williams Sonoma Home

Hotel striped bedding is a great way to calm the visual space in the bedroom and create the perception of more room. Live plants in the room are also great. 

IKEA has fiddle leaf fig trees for $12.99 right now! Such a great deal.

Keep surfaces clear of clutter.

Via Wisteria

Dressers, tables and shelving should stay clear of personal belongings. Candles should be new and flowers should be real or look real. (no dried flowers) Accessories can be grouped into 3's (like above) to make a visual impact. Spreading things out makes the space look more cluttered.

Try some of these tricks at home and see what you think! 

Want more ideas? Follow us on FACEBOOK and PINTEREST.

Staged home sales still gowing strong 2009!

A great thing about selling in a slow, tumultuous, snowy, cold, real estate market in New England is that home sellers can assume the buyers looking at homes are serious about purchasing. As a service provider in the real estate market, we went into January with high hopes and anxiety about the 2009 market. Our clients whom staged their homes in January continued to show strong results, each going under agreement right away, consistently beating the average DOM in their market. View success stories

What is the staging difference and does it really matter in a slow market?
VIEW this MLS listing BEFORE staging on the market 122 days, getting showings yet no offers (prime staging candidate!!)
VIEW this same MLS listing AFTER staging This house is UNDER AGREEMENT from the first showing after staging!!

Yes this is real estate market January 2009!

If you have a listing or a home for sale that is getting showings yet no offers, you have the perfect home staging candidate. Every showing you receive is an opportunity for a sale. Trust us, the tire kickers are home shoveling the driveway, they are not out looking at homes right now. Buyers in 2009 mean business!

Regardless of market conditions, when you decide to sell, your home becomes a product. Staging is the best way to display your product to help buyers identify with the lifestyle your house represents. Statistics show that a well displayed home sells faster and for greater profit. Today's savvy buyer is looking for quality, style, and a smart investment. A home that is offered for sale in "AS IS" condition or "un-staged" before selling, will likely get an "AS IS" price in the marketplace. If you are selling a home without staging then you can consider yourself in the "as-is" marketplace where unfortunately, many of the homes in New Hampshire for sale are foreclosures or bank owned homes in NH.

Especially for Builders, you are off to a rough start if you have a peice of raw land and are asking your real estate agent what you should build. Few small to mid-sized builders understand the role of marketing in new home sales. Construction competence, while necessary for a strong product, is not enough to ensure sales. If you produce quality however find your sales disappointing, chances are you are lacking an effective marketing force. We're not talking about simply hiring the right real estate professional- rather employing a team that together will define your position in the marketplace through brand building and creative marketing solutions.

If you would like more information on home staging or marketing solutions for new homes, CALL New England Home Staging at 1-888-778-NEHS