Do You Have Any Questions?
What is home staging?
Home staging is professionally preparing homes for sale so that they appeal to the most buyers and generate the highest price in the least amount of time on the market. Staged homes traditionally present themselves better than the competition by being clean, clutter-free, and ready to show to prospective buyers. Home staging is NOT decorating, fluffing, interior design or redesign. Instead, home staging is detailing, de-cluttering, depersonalizing and preparing a seller’s home to give it a “model home” appearance so that the potential buyer can “see” themselves living in the environment.
Why should I stage my home?
Home staging has been proven to be the best way to sell your house quickly and get top dollar. Our staging services create an inviting atmosphere and help buyers connect to the home so they are more likely to make an offer. Homes that are not staged sit on the market longer, resulting in higher carrying costs and multiple price reductions (an average of 2% per month). With more than 90% of all potential home buyers searching the internet before they request a showing, online photos reflecting the look of the house are more important than ever before. Our creative team will stage your home so it looks picture perfect both in photos and in person.
What is An Accredited Staging® Professional® (ASP®)?
An Accredited Staging ® Professional® (ASP®) is a dedicated professional who has studied and learned the proven and powerful techniques of staging homes. An ASP® has successfully completed a detailed ASP® course and passed a required thorough examination on preparing homes for sale. An ASP® is committed to the principles and practices of marketing properties as staged® homes.
Does staging really work?
Yes. Statistics show that staged homes sell faster and for more money than comparable non-staged homes. If your home does not show well, it will sit on the market longer. A staged home is always more appealing than an empty or cluttered house. The investment in staging is typically less than a price reduction.
Can I stage my own home?
Of course you can; however, it is not always possible to view your home objectively, so it helps to have a professional perspective. What you can do is use the results from Kathleen Barlotta Designs’ comprehensive consultation to make your own changes to your home. Or let us help you stage one room or an entire house. Kathleen Barlotta Designs will work within your budget to ensure your home is staged to attract buyers.
Isn’t staging expensive?
Not at all! Home staging isn’t as expensive as you might think! The cost of staging your home is less than most monthly mortgages and much less than taking a price reduction to get the home sold. Don’t waste a minute of valuable selling time. Stage now and see how traffic will increase and increased traffic means a quick offer. Kathleen Barlotta Designs will do as little or as much as your budget desires. Our specific fees vary depending on the scope and complexity of the job.
What if I have moved out and don’t have furniture or accessories?
Kathleen Barlotta Designs has an extensive inventory and can provide home accessories such as lamps, artwork, rugs, bedding, window treatments, and small furniture. Larger pieces of furniture can be rented from rental companies. Using these accessories and rental furniture, we will create an inviting look that potential buyers will love. Kathleen Barlotta Designs will move these pieces in, stage, and when your house sells, we will pack it all up and move the items out. Whether you are living there or have already moved out, Kathleen Barlotta Designs provides the same close attention to detail in order to create a warm and comfortable home for prospective buyers.
According to a nationwide survey of US real-estate agents, home staging can reduce a listing's time on the market by one-third to one-half half, and could fetch as much as 10-15% more than an empty home or a home not properly staged. So don’t hesitate to call us so that we can stage your home to maximum appeal, which ensures the highest return on your investment in the shortest amount of time.
My house has been professionally decorated – isn’t that staging?
Staging is different from professional decorating in that home staging focuses on what the potential buyer will look for, whereas interior design seeks to decorate according to the current homeowner’s individual tastes and desires. Because a home needs to be staged does not mean it is decorated poorly. A home can be gorgeous but still not appeal to the widest array of buyers. Staging seeks to make a home attractive to everyone, regardless of their personal design taste. It allows the buyer to more easily envision their belongings in the home and see themselves actually living there. Staging helps a potential buyer form an emotional connection to your home—enabling them to want to make your home their own.
Do I have to purchase new things to stage my house?
One of the biggest myths about staging is that a team of designers will enter your home and ask you to leave for several days while your home undergoes an expensive transformation. Kathleen Barlotta Designs’ number one goal is to use what you already have to create the most inviting atmosphere to potential buyers. We have been trained to be creative and to think outside of the box. Remember, you are selling the SPACE, not what’s in it!
Doesn't a vacant room look bigger without furniture?
No. A small room feels larger once it is properly furnished because your eye has something to which they can relate the space. Some buyers may think that they are unable to fit their furniture in an empty room as they generally imagine their furniture is larger than it really is. On the other hand, an oversized room can feel overwhelming and buyers are often concerned about what to do with the space. Staging can make sense of these large spaces and create a more comfortable feeling once furnished.
When's the best time to stage my home?
The best time to stage your property is before it goes on the market. Staging will help create the best impact when you first put your home up for sale in order to generate immediate interest. Make sure your home is staged before your first open house. When marketing your property, you want to ensure your home shows beautifully both in photos and in person from the start. You can’t afford to lose the momentum of a new property listing.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. On average, buyers make a decision about purchasing a home within the first 90 seconds of seeing a property. Kathleen Barlotta Designs can give your home that “WOW” factor it needs to separate itself from the competition.
With your design services, must I change an entire room? What if I only want help with a small area or just picking out a few items?
No job is too big or small. Kathleen Barlotta Designs will work with you in whatever capacity suits your design and decorating needs. Whether you want new window treatments or a few throw pillows to enhance the décor, our team of professionals will assist with styling, renovation, furniture selection and placement, lighting, architectural detailing, choosing color, fabrics and furnishings – whatever you request to make your home a personal reflection of your style and a comfortable place for you to live, work, or entertain.
How are Designing and Redesigning different?
The predominant difference is that Redesign usually involves working with the furniture and accessories that you already have, but rearranging or replacing them to give the room a new look or make the space more functional or pleasing. Design will often entail purchasing new pieces in addition to using existing items to create the environment or enhancement you envision.
