Ann Arbor Homes are selling everyday.  Ann Arbor Real Estate Sales are “alive and well” despite what the media would have us believe. As an Ann Arbor Realtor, my job is to consult with my selling clients on how to position their home so it “stands out” from the competition. Other than proper pricing having the home staged is the next crucial step towards a successful sale. Home staging helps you create a first impression that will have buyers saying “wow”… curbside and throughout. Staging is defined as anything that helps your property stand out as more attractive and appealing to potential buyers. As a seller, you must view your home as a product or piece of inventory, which you ultimately want to sell at the highest price in the shortest amount of time and staging will maximize your precious equity.

home_staging_drama_groupingHome Staging is one of the smartest decisions anyone selling Ann Arbor properties can make. It can transform a cold, lifeless looking property into a warm and inviting home in a potential buyer’s mind. Some Ann Arbor Home Sellers are reluctant to spend the money to stage their home; however research shows that well staged homes sell approximately 32% faster than non-staged homes. They also sell for up to 10% more.

Properly staged homes are warm, cozy and romantic. To achieve this, you can either hire a professional stager or stage your home yourself. Naturally, if you do it yourself, you should have a plan, some guidelines and a checklist to follow. Some of the most important things sellers can do to improve their sale is to clear out, clean up and get rid of clutter! Here are some staging ideas:

Floating Furniture - If your couches are clinging to your walls, you’re not alone — it’s a typical decorating mistake most homeowners make. People think that their rooms will feel larger if all the furnishings are against the walls leaving open floor space. Instead, move your furniture away from walls. Reposition sofas and chairs into a figure-eight or the letter H in the middle of the room, with clear pathways around it. This will open up the room and make it seem larger.

If you’re nervous about doing something radical, try an area rug on an angle first, then move the couch and see how it looks. If you don’t like the new arrangement, you can always put things back the way they were. But chances are you won’t want to.

Conquer Clutter - A cluttered home can be caused by too much furniture. When professional stagers descend on a home being prepped for market, they often whisk away as much as half of the owner’s furnishings and the house looks much bigger for it. You don’t have to whittle that drastically, but take a hard look at what you have and ask yourself what you can live without. Another rule of thumb: If you don’t use it regularly, lose it! Any mixed feelings you have about tossing life’s accumulated belongings will quickly be replaced with a sense of relief and appreciation of your uncluttered surroundings. Remember, every square foot you free up is prime real estate.

If you are thinking of selling your Ann Arbor home and would like more information on staging or a free market evaluation, please contact me and let our Ann Arbor real estate state experts get to work for you!