The real estate market is hot and in full swing, and home sellers are recognizing the benefits of home staging. According to an April 2014 Zillow Digs survey of real estate professionals and interior designers nationwide, the primary enhancements when selling a home are curb appeal and home staging. It is advantageous for homeowners to focus on home staging which prioritizes minor improvements and brings the maximum increased value for mass buyer appeal. Professional stagers know the current market trends and can skillfully identify enhancements to increase market value and provide the best return on investment. Investments such as updated lighting fixtures and cabinet door handles, modern neutral paint colors, clutter free spaces and inviting landscaping all add value.
The other critical home improvement recommended in the Zillow survey is to enhance curb appeal and I totally agree! A Fresh Look Design clients in the Charlotte area benefit by receiving a 26 point curb appeal checklist that is incorporated into all our home staging consultations. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it wow!!! (Read more about first impressions in this post). A clean entryway with a fresh coat of paint, new doormat, pots of colorful flowers, trimmed bushes with fresh mulch shows potential buyers you care for your home.
Stagers sell homes faster and for more money, by highlighting the features of a house while compensating for its imperfections. This survey reinforces the significant value of the cost Home Staging brings to sellers entering the real estate market. Again, the cost of staging is always less than the cost of your first price reduction on your home!