Anyone selling a home nowadays is well aware that theirs is not the only downtown domicile or bungalow on the block. While today’s buyers have many options, when considering a property, they always ask themselves the same basic question: can we see ourselves living here? Nik Murrow, Synergy Staging’s Accredited Staging Professional, and his partner David Peterson help prospective buyers to answer that question with a “yes” when viewing their clients’ properties for sale.

Home staging is not to be confused with custom home design, tailoring a space for an individual’s taste and living. Rather, home staging reveals a house’s potential. Murrow explains how it works.

“Basically, we go into homes that are for sale, and we make them look as good as possible so that they sell fast.”

Peterson adds, “having your home staged gives it an edge, showing potential buyers how they could live there.”

There are three key ways Synergy Staging makes homes more attractive to buyers. First, they supply furnishings and décor to make the main rooms of vacant homes look livable to the buyer’s eye.

“We stage rooms so they have an impact, but we don’t overwhelm buyers with too much stuff. The house is the feature—not the staging,” says Murrow.

Second, in homes still occupied buy the seller, Nik and David guide clients to de-clutter, and recommend removing any items that may distract buyers from seeing the house’s full potential. Murrow recounts an example.

“Before we staged this one house, it had felt like a museum.   We took away all the Victorian photographs, umbrellas, and parasols and put in décor and art that worked with that style, but toned it down so that prospective buyers could see more of the house and imagine themselves living there. While that was an extreme case, it’s true that most people have a lot of stuff. We do try to use as much of a clients’ furnishings and decor as possible while making the house welcoming to buyers. It’s important that buyers are able to see beyond the stuff.”

Additionally, Synergy Staging recommends to all of its clients the improvements they should consider having done to make their property more saleable.

“Buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready. If a house needs painting, or a window is busted, a buyer is more likely to choose the similar property down the street that doesn’t need the extra work,” says Peterson.

Asked about the benefits of staging, he explains, “in a strong market, we see homes we stage sell for as much as 6% above list price, but staging helps to move a house, especially in competitive markets like this with more houses available for sale, and would-be buyers challenged to secure loans.”

Murrow adds, “Realtors understand the benefits of good staging, and I’d encourage anyone selling house to consult a professional stager.”

To learn more about Synergy Staging and to see homes they have staged, visit them on the web, or to arrange for a free proposal contact Synergy Staging by phone: 503.577.2244, or email info@synergystaging.com.

By: Andy Clemmer