Did you ever receive a gift from Birks packaged in their distinct blue box with the Regency Lion insignia and the satin monogrammed ribbon? Or perhaps on Valentine’s Day, your sweetheart surprised you with a box of Godiva chocolate truffles beautifully gift wrapped in their signature gold box. Packaging your product to sell is marketing 101.

Are you getting ready to sell your home?

The first step is preparing your property so that it attracts a broad spectrum of potential buyers resulting in a profitable sale and ROI (return on your investment). Before the first potential buyer walks through the door, you want to make sure your home is market-ready. This can be achieved by professionally staging your home.

Preparing your property is similar to going to a job interview. You would not show up in grubby sweats and a wine-stained T-shirt. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Make sure it is a good one. Real estate staging is the process of professionally preparing a property for the real estate marketplace.

Staging is the single most valuable investment you can make in preparation for selling a property. It provides measurable value and ROI. Professional stagers are trained to showcase your property’s best features using proven techniques to attract buyers.

Concept

The concept of staging is not new. Staging was conceived in the early ‘70s when Barbara Schwarz, a Seattle realtor with a background in theatre, coined the phrase “staging” to spruce up her listings. Staging has grown exponentially in recent years. The onslaught of reality makeover shows on TV has ignited the popularity and awareness of real estate staging. Staging is a three-step process: 1. Consultation; 2. Prep work; 3. Showcasing.

The first step is conducted with an assessment of the exterior curb appeal and an interior room-by-room analysis. The next step is the execution of the recommendations provided during the Consultation. Showcasing, the crucial and final step, is the creative process of transforming a space into a vision of excellence. It is the icing on the cake, which impacts the buyer and leads to an offer.

Staging is about creating a buyer’s dream and tweaking their emotions. Most buyers connect with a house within the first three minutes after they walk through the door. A staged home will help the buyer visualize living in that space. Securing an emotional connection with the buyer is paramount.

Internet

Staging is critical in today’s world of the web, in fact, 97 per cent of prospective buyers start their search online. The Internet has changed the way real estate is being sold. Image is everything. It is imperative to have quality photos with appealing visual representations that will entice the buyer to schedule a visit with their real estate broker.

Package your property to sell. A well-staged home is designed to shine in a competitive market. Take the time to get your house or condo market-ready. Every property benefits from some level of staging.