BEHIND THE STAGE

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Angelic Ferguson, Owner of Utopia Home Staging, takes us behind the scenes- and the stage - of home staging and its latest trends.

How does Home Staging help buyers?

According to the National Association of Realtors, 89% of home buyers cannot visualize an empty space. When the staging is properly laid out with appropriate proportions, scale, and design, it solves that pain point without the buyers knowing it was a concern they would even have. Staging shows the purpose of each room. Staging also accentuates the positives of a home by showcasing its unique features, while also diminishing the flaws. Home Staging speaks to the likely buyer demographic, showing spaces in a way that is functional and attractive, leading to buyer excitement and immediate offers. When you speak in the language of the buyer, they are listening!

What trends are emerging in home staging?

A full 360° model home stage and a more complete look are in higher demand. We think it’s because of staging on television. They show fully furnished homes with a lot of detail. People have gotten used to that look and expect it when they tour homes.

We’re also seeing a lot more color being used, which is something we have always implemented. People want to see more wood, texture, and color, along with white. We use pops of color to help guide the eye around the space. Having said that, we always make sure to enhance the natural features and architectural positives of the home, instead of distracting from those qualities.

Should Realtors use virtual staging?

Online photos and in person tours should be consistent. Authenticity is even more impactful because what they see is what they get. You’re building trust with the buyer, which is a great way to start any high-level negotiation. This is usually someone’s biggest investment of their lifetime and it’s an emotional one. If you ignore the emotional component you’re missing out. People who do not stage are penny smart and dollar foolish, because they don’t just get their investment back. In fact, according to a 2021 survey by the Real Estate Staging Association, sellers who invest about .5% to 1% of the sale price in hiring a professional stager saw a 7% return on investment.

What’s new for Utopia Home Staging in 2023?

We are pleased to announce that we are the exclusive Home Stagers in six episodes of the just announced local HGTV series called FLIP THE STRIP. It is set to air this summer featuring the Thunder Down Under men as well as a Las Vegas local Designer Kelly Stone!

You were recently featured in U.S. News and World Report. What bathroom trends will we see this year? Expect to see a “wow factor” feature in bathrooms. I was quoted saying, “The biggest trend I see is the rise of texture. Gone are the cold, all-tile, and hard surfaces popular in previous years. Designers are layering bathrooms with finishes such as wallpaper, natural wood, and tile that has dimension.”

I also said that tech-powered features are big with this trend. “Heated floors, warming drawers for towels, and lighting under vanities and behind mirrors are going to trend up.” Lighting fixtures in bathrooms are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Smart film technology can give instant privacy that appears to fog windows and glass that allows a soft diffused light to come in from the sun or indoor lighting. People are looking for controllable options that can be adjusted based on the use of the room at the time. You’ll see more feature dramatic feature walls as well.

What services do you offer that people not might not know about?

We’ve been designing a lot of short-term rental properties for companies like Airbnb and VRBO, or those appealing to longer term stays like traveling nurses and business professionals. And many people don’t know about our Color Consultations. It’s an easy way to give a house an update with paint. We also offer furniture rearrangement and redesign. We recently did an occupied stage on a home. After we were done, the sellers decided that they fell in love with their house again. They couldn’t be more thrilled; they are buying the decor and furnishings that we had brought in!

What sets you apart from other Home Stagers?

We are a boutique luxury staging service that custom brands each home. We have the capability of staging 30 homes at one time. We address the needs of each house based on style, demographic, layout, and luxury level. We give the buyer an emotional connection to the home, so that they spend more time on their home tour, which statistically leads to more offers. Our houses outperform others on the market. When the Realtor or seller audibly say, “Wow!” we know we’ve hit our mark, and it’s the most rewarding element of our profession. It makes all the hard work and attention to detail all worth it.MV