Goldilocks Rule the
for staging
Shauna Lynn Simon CEO of Beyond The Stage Homes
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ome things are meant to be indulged in. Think extra saucy wings, sunshine, chocolate cake, and laughter. But, like most things in life, it’s important to ensure that your indulgences are balanced, and in some cases, are enjoyed only in moderation. We take a similar approach when preparing a home for sale. It’s important to showcase the home’s greatest features, and this often means sprucing things up through updates, repairs, and of course, stylish décor. However, if we over-indulge, we could end up taking the focus away from what we are truly selling, which is the house itself. The "Goldilocks Rule" to preparing your home for sale is about finding that delicate balance between too much, and too little, in order to get it just right to engage your homebuyers from the first moment that they view your property. Here are some tips to help you to get it just right. PROFITABLE UPDATES AND UPGRADES
While each home is unique, there are some standard rules that you can follow when it comes to updates and upgrades: • If it’s broken, fix it. • Focus on move-in ready renovations –these
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will provide the greatest return on investment. “Move-in ready” means that the new buyers may choose to do some updates themselves at a later date, but that the house is in a state that is comfortable for an immediate move-in. • Paint is money in a can –some of the most valuable renovations can be achieved simply with a can of paint, be it freshening up the walls, a bathroom vanity, kitchen cabinets, or a brick fireplace. Paint can give the home an immediate update, without a significant investment. • Low-cost updates can go a long way –items such as current light fixtures, new cabinetry hardware, and updated door hardware and hinges are just a few areas where swapping out some old finishes for new will add value to the home. • Prioritize above-grade areas of the home –a nice basement is exactly that –it’s nice to have but updates to this area generally won’t add much in the way of overall resale value. DECORATING VS STAGING
In home staging, our focus is on marketing the features of the home. This means decorating with purpose, ensuring that every item added to the space enhances it, without taking the focus away
