The Degrees of Staging: Basic Staging

Yesterday, I said

Basic Staging:
- Only applies to furnished (usually occupied) houses.
- Works with what is there (does not bring anything new into the house or yard).
- Is really, really not expensive.
- Supports the asking price, if the house is priced competitively with it's comparables.
- Should always be done before a house is listed.

Today, I am going to talk about how this relates to my "Science and Art of Staging" theory.

Before we start, I want to admit that yesterday I said Basic Staging only applies to furnished houses, probably houses the family is living in while they sell, but maybe houses where the family moved and left many furnishings behind. I think I was wrong. One component of Basic Staging can be applied to a vacant house. I will address this when I come to it in the discussion below (curious? frustrated? want to guess what that is?)

Everyone ready? Seat belts buckled? Then here we go -

Phase One

Prepare To Stage

These steps include:

Let Go
This is the emotional transition from living in your home to selling your house. When the seller, when the family of the seller, can make this transition, both staging and negotiating the sale are much easier. When I work with sellers, I spend a lot of time on this. I would like to say this is part of Basic Staging. But, this is emotion and can only happen if and when the seller is ready. So, I cannot include making this emotional transition in any of the Degrees of Staging. This just is.

Get To Know Your Buyer
Understanding the demographics of the most probable buyer can have an enormous impact on whether and how much Advanced Staging is done. But, fundamentally, this is not absolutely required to stage a house. So, this one will be discussed in Advanced Staging tomorrow.

Tell Them About Your House
This includes having a Home Inspection, an Appraisal, writing a letter about the neighborhood, and documenting what you have done to improve the house. This is darn good advertising and will help buyers trust, and therefore consider buying, you house. But overall this is not part of staging per se.

Again, one component, Close Down All Home Improvement Projects, is part of Advanced Staging.

Designate A Storage Area - is Basic
"Think of Staging To Sell as pre-packing to move"
In Basic Staging, we are about to remove a lot of things from the furnished house. Deciding where the boxes and excess furniture are going to be stored is fundamental to successful staging.

The removed items can be neatly stored somewhere in the house. The basement, the attic, or the very last room a buyer sees when they tour the house all work.

Getting the items out of the house completely greatly improves the staging, and the time it takes to sell. A neighbor's basement, a family member's garage, work. If the seller can afford it, a storage unit is a great option.

Of course, as the staging is done, the initial decision about where things will be stored can change. But always this is fundamental, Basic Staging - put away distracting, excess items.

Phase Two

The Science Of Staging To Sell

Simplify Contained Spaces, Declutter

Pretty much, these are part of Basic Staging. It is possible to bring in decorative storage - like attractive baskets or boxes - to hold items that are needed daily but should not be left out. So, there is an Advanced Staging component. But, fundamentally, removing clutter and emptying contained spaces are Basic activities.

Depersonalize, Neutralize

These are always Basic Staging steps. These are either done or not done. These can be done multiple times - taking more things away or putting a few things back on each pass. But, there is no way to "Take this up a notch".



Basically, The Science of Staging is Basic.

Phase Three

The Art Of Staging To Sell

I bet you are thinking, if Science is Basic, then Art is advanced.

Life is never that straightforward.

Purpose Each Room
Fundamentally, staging strives for "one room, one purpose". This is Basic. Decide the purpose of each room (always remembering buyers need to see certain, hee-hee, basic purposes or they will have trouble mentally moving in to the house). Remove everything that does not support that purpose. Move the exercise equiptment out of the master bedroom - that is for sleeping. Take the computer off the dining room table - that is for eating.

Tomorrow we will discuss the Advanced aspects of establishing the Purpose of each room. But, this is Basic, and, basically, should always be done.

Focus
Highlighting Staging Points, showing buyers how to use unusual aspects if a room (like alcoves) is Basic. But, as you suspect, there are Advanced aspects.

Take A Stroll

Basic.

Arrange Furniture, Accessorize

Basic with Advanced aspects.

Consider Color

Now, this one is really, really interesting. And really, really open to discussion and disagreement. Some stagers paint. Some stagers work with painters. Painting can re-energize a space. Painting can make a very pesonal space impersonal. Painting can make an intolerable space attractive and appealing.

Painting ought to be Basic.

But, because some stagers recommend, but do not provide, painting; because painting can cost a lot money, I include it in Advanced Staging.

(What do you think about this one? I am a little torn about it.)

Clean

Basic cleaning it DIY. Advanced cleaning brings in a professional cleaning service (spends money).


As I wrote this, I found myself questioning the value of breaking out Degrees of Staging. I am going to continue with Advanced Staging tomorrow. But, in the end, I would appreciate your opinions: is there any reason to break out Basic and Advanced Staging?

See you tomorrow!