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As a professional Home Stager, I am often asked, “What is your go to color for wall paint?”

I’m going to be honest. I don’t have one.

I know there are a lot of Home Stagers and agents who tout the benefits of beige, ecru, off-white, tan, or whatever you want to call it but I’m not one to jump on the bandwagon of beige right off the bat. I understand that beige is like a good pair of khaki pants, but let’s face it, it doesn’t go with every outfit and it isn’t an appropriate wall color for every room.

When Home Stagers suggest beige, they typically mean that a room’s wall color should be neutral and accented with color and texture in the furnishings and décor. This is very true and an important component in the Home Staging process. However beige is not the only neutral color out there and I am hesitant to suggest a color without seeing the carpeting, furniture, fixtures, finishes and accessories that will be displayed along with it.

When I meet with clients, I don’t like to jump the gun on paint color. I like to spend some time in the room, see the kinds of windows I’m working with, how the sun plays in the space, what the fixtures look like and if the room opens up to other areas of the house before suggesting a paint color. When you stop and think about it, neutrals can be found in every color on the spectrum and it’s important to find the one that will highlight your house in the best possible way.

Paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform a space and by working with a professional Home Stager; you can find the perfect color that can have a huge impact on the sale of your home.

We create stylish, warm and welcoming houses that captures the buyers’ attention from the moment they are introduced to the property.  We focus on the buyer demographics, the selling features, life style selling techniques and the strategic placement of furniture, art, and accessories that translates to a powerful marketing tool.  Contact us today.  317-209-9801 or at homemattersllc.com

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I hate the word “clutter.” For years, “Cut the clutter” has been the Home Stagers battle cry, but I think the term devalues the important possessions people have in their lives and I refuse to use it.

The term “clutter” implies something negative. It suggests that these items serve no purpose and merely take up space in our homes. This is unfair to the homeowner who may have spent decades dedicated amassing these items only to hear their precious collection reduced to rubbish in a single conversation with a Home Stager.

Years ago, I met with a client who had a rather extensive compilation of decorative items proudly displayed      throughout her home. I knew it would prevent potential buyers from seeing the square footage and charm of her  house, but I also knew I had to treat this tactfully so that she would not think that I saw what was clearly important to  her as an eyesore. Luckily, when I suggested that we prepack these items in preparation for her upcoming move, she  agreed, but not before telling me each and every story that went along with the items. It was a long day, but in the end  I realized that only hoarders have “clutter.” Home sellers have memories and those memories are associated with  their personal possessions.

Although we have things we could (and should) get rid of, we also have possessions that we are proud of. While those  things may need to be eliminated for the time being in order to showcase our homes in the best light and maximize its sales potential, their importance should not be devalued by a well-meaning stager who does not appreciate the visual appeal of 10,000 comic books, a collection of snow globes from around the world or an assembly of first edition Star Wars action figures artfully configured around the Death Star.

We create stylish, warm and welcoming houses that captures the buyers’ attention from the moment they are introduced to the property.  We focus on the buyer demographics, the selling features, life style selling techniques and the strategic placement of furniture, art, and accessories that translates to a powerful marketing tool.  Contact us today.  317-209-9801 or at hommattersllc.com

As a professional Home Stager, I hear a lot of objections about the need for my services and/or the updates and changes I suggest.  I understand. You’re looking to sell your home, not make an investment in it!

However, if you have dated carpeting, less-than-subtle wallpaper, or two many of your personal possession preventing potential buyers from seeing all that your home has to offer, you won’t attract the best price for your home.  By resisting to make even the smallest improvements, you run the risk of losing the sale and before long you may find your home staying on the market longer than necessary, making significant price reductions and causing potential buyers to wonder, “What’s wrong with that one?” Don’t you and your home deserve better?

I’d like to think so. When I meet with my clients, I remind them that they will make this investment one way or another. Either they will choose to properly package and present their home for resale, or they will continually lower their selling price until a buyer feels they are getting a bargain, especially for a home they will immediately have to update upon move in. It’s that simple.  Every home when you enter the market place has a ranking or position depending on other similar houses for sale. So in order to stand out, shine above and prove to “be the best”, you will want to go the distance.  If you want your home featured on the Real Estate end cap (the display shelves at the end of store aisles) or is your house destine for the clearance aisle of real estate?

I know it seems like a lot of work and it may be the last thing you want to think about when you are eager to move on, but it does make a difference and if you can capture buyers one-through-six with your properly staged home, you won’t be looking for buyer number 30. You have the power to decide the path right for you and your sale.  So ask yourself, what do you want your experience to be 30 days from now…moving on or hanging on?

Home Staging is an Investment in Protecting your Equity!