Staging a Period Room

A Realtor colleague recently asked for my help in staging a home that was filled with Victorian furniture. In this particular real estate market, period homes are almost nonexistent. Most homes in the area have been built in the last 25 years and the vast majority of the homes are less that 10 years old. 

Home sellers who have lovingly accumulated a collection of furniture for years can be emotionally attached to their decor. Distinguishing the difference between how a homeowner lives and what it takes to sell is critical. Homes with heavy period decor can appear dated, be distracting to buyers and can make it difficult for purchasers to project their own style. All of these factors - especially in a difficult buyers market - can exponentially increase the selling challenge.

There are two key components required in preparing a home with heavy period detail for sale.

1. Understand that the changes required such as moving items to storage are not an indictment of the homeowners' taste or style. We all have things in our homes that we love that are simply "stuff" to someone else. The focus in home staging is making your home appealing to the largest number of buyers. That fact can strike lovers of period detail and making a home really vanilla and lacking in personality. In reality, it means bringing a fresh and up to date look that is widely appealing.
2. Be prepared to make big changes. Storing a great deal of period furniture and renting more contemporary furnishings may be necessary. Paring down (or completely removing) period accessories will probably be a necessity.

Staying positive, doing your homework and keeping your focus on price and condition is critical for home sellers in this challenging housing market.

Staying Positive in a Tough Housing Market

If you are a home seller, it's tough to stay positive in the face of so much awful housing news these days. When navigating any set of difficult circumstances, its important to remember what you can control and what you can't. You can't do anything about macro economic trends that have been years in the making, but you can absolutely do something about the two most important factors in a home sale: price and condition.

• Price. Be realistic, listen to your Realtor and if you have to move relatively quickly, be willing to price your home slighting below the market. Pricing your home higher than the market hoping for that one elusive buyer that just has to have your home is a recipe for a lengthy time on the market and future price reductions both of which add to a negative perception of what might otherwise be a terrific property. Long market times and price reductions cost you money, plain and simple.
• Condition. Buyer these days have incredibly high expectations - not only in the sense that they often perceive the opportunity to get a "deal" in this market, but they also expect homes to be move-in ready and in pristine condition. Delaying maintenance, updates and having a poorly staged home invites at best low offers and at worst, no offers. This blog is filled with tips on staging your home for sale. The condition of your home will have a direct impact on the ultimate sales price.

These uncertain economic times seem made for the serenity prayer (paraphrased) reminding us to have the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage (and the energy!) to change the things that we can and the wisdom to know the difference.