I am currently in the process of selling yet another home. As a stager, I know all of the rules that people are supposed to follow to stage their homes. I also try to keep my finger on the pulse of the real estate market in regards to staging, and I know that there has been a lot of backlash against staging from both buyers and agents. One of the most common complaints I see is that the house looks "too cold" or "too sterile" or just not livable. A good stager creates a setting that people walk into and immediately feel at home in. He/she knows that cozy is key.
So this time, when I showed my house, I left up a rather artsy photo of my husband and I that was taken by a professional portrait photographer. I left post cards and photos of friends on my bulletin board. I even left the cat tree in the living room (though not for the photos). The house was clean, well decorated, uncluttered, but obviously lived in--and it got a great response! Without giving away details, I can tell my readers that I am now making plans to move after having had my house on the market for less than a week.
There really is something to staging, but it has to be done right. It has to be done with careful consideration to what buyers are really looking for and not just by following a set of rules that the stager learned in a class or out of a book. So, my final thought on staging for the day is that it is really important to choose your stager carefully. Choose someone with training, but also choose someone who is really aware of the current real estate market and trends in your area. Don't automatically use whoever your real estate agent suggests or the first person you find on an internet search. Do some research, even interview a couple of possible candidates. It will make all of the difference in your home selling experience.
