A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about a home in West Hartford that was staged for selling. This sale recently closed, so, as promised, here’s my follow up blog.
Some people commented on the fact that this was much more than staging. There are various levels of staging and this home had more than furniture moved around.
As far as the extent of the work performed, the interior of the house was freshly painted, carpeting was removed, and hardwood floors were refinished. We used the owner’s existing furnishings to stage the home and stored items that were not needed in the garage. It took approximately 2 weeks to accomplish all of this with the help of family members, 2 contractors, and a professional stager. You might liken it to Designed to Sell, without the ripping out of walls, kitchens, etc.
The results were amazing, it was hard to believe it was even the same home. The shots below are the Before and After photos that I took. As a seller, imagine how a buyer would feel about the house walking through Before versus After…
The Entryway before…
The Entryway after…
The Living Room before…
The Living Room after…
The Kitchen before…
The Kitchen after…
This house went under contract in just 7 days. There is no doubt in my mind that it would have taken much longer to sell, and most likely for a lower price, if it hadn’t been “freshened” up.
Each house is unique and will need its own recommendations for staging. Just realize that staging can help your home stand out from the competition in today’s market. It may be well worth the time, money, and effort put into it.