Whether you’re hoping to sell your home or to woo a new client, you’ll never get a second chance to make a stellar first impression.
So be proactive and set the stage for success, said “staging expert” Nicole Wexler, a Redmond resident and co-owner of Turquoise Decor. Wexler was recently named Real Estate Staging Association’s Stager of the Month.
Wexler and her Seattle-based partner Irit Shechtman specialize in “one-day re-designs” or makeovers for residential or office properties that need to be de-cluttered or spruced up.
In this economy, staging is on the upswing because many people need to sell their homes quickly or establish a new business. Some might initially balk at the cost of hiring a staging expert, but doing so can help you to quickly recoup your investment, Wexler said.
“In a recession, you want to stand out from the rest,” she noted.
“It’s a nice, affordable way to re-do without costly and messy remodels,” she explained. “Mostly, staging can be done in one day unless the space is really oversized or cluttered. We can stage with your existing furniture or rent furniture to fill an empty space.”
The point is to make the property appear “move-in ready.”
We asked Wexler to share a few top tips for clients, especially those trying to sell a home.
Above all else, she said, “Let go of your own taste and prepare the house to be lived in by someone else. Most people find this is difficult to do, precisely because they like their own taste and sometimes they have difficulty in letting go of the place that has been their home. This is why a professional staging specialist should be called upon to provide impartial advice.”
Turn-offs might include displays of personal photos, religious art, nude art, political statements or collections of knick-knacks.
“Even if you think these things are beautiful, you never know what others may think,” Wexler pointed out.
Moose heads or bear skin rugs can be very offensive to some cultures. Even antique clocks or trophies can be a distraction.
The key word is “neutralize,” said Wexler. Not only in terms of your decor but also neutralizing any odors from cooking, pets and so forth.
“Deep clean, shampoo the carpets, make everything fresh,” she emphasized. “Diluted citrus oil, such as lemon or orange can be a pleasing scent, or baking bread.”
Fake flowers are a great touch, Wexler added. You won’t have to worry about watering them or irritating someone who might have allergies.
Also, “Never show an empty house. Buyers need to be able to visualize themselves living in the space,” Wexler said.
And if you’re tempted to shove all your junk into a closet, don’t. People will open the closets to see how big they are, said Wexler.
Having clutter in a garage is fine, however, because people expect that to be a space for storage, she said.
And although this would seem like a “no-brainer,” pay close attention to your curb appeal.
“Ensure that the exterior of the home is attractive, neat and well-maintained. Usually a buyer will form an impression about the property within 17-30 seconds of arriving,” said Wexler.
She said home sellers and buyers in Redmond are fortunate because it is “a desirable community: great school district, plenty of green space, close to Microsoft … and yet still within easy commute of Seattle. From speaking to the real estate agents I work with on a regular basis, and from what I have seen in terms of movement of the properties I have staged, there does appear to be more activity in the housing market at the moment.”
A former lawyer from London, Wexler moved to Redmond almost four years ago and said she loves it here. She has also lived in Namibia, South Africa and Israel. She left her legal career in 2003 “because I didn’t want to take the bar exam in Hebrew,” she laughed. Her Israeli husband now works for Microsoft.
Wexler is a graduate of the Interior Design Institute in New York and author of the widely-read Turquoise Decor e-zine. You can visit her DIY decorating blog at http://turquoisedecor.wordpress.com or visit her Web site, www.TurquoiseDecor.com to learn more.
