Home Staging

A bit of subtle storytelling could increase the sale value of your property by up to 8 per cent, the author of The Australian Guide to Home Staging, Katrina Maes, says. “On a $500,000 house you’re looking at about $40,000,” she says.

Maes’ advice is to allow potential buyers walking into a property to imagine their lives there. She uses visual triggers to tell a story about the lifestyle that might come with the house. A comfortable armchair placed in a quiet nook with cushions and a throw rug may give the impression of a cosy retreat. While many chairs placed around a festively-set dining table might show the house is perfect for entertainers.

Clutter such as magnets and paraphernalia stuck to the fridge, kids’ toys and cupboards that are too full cloud a potential buyer’s ability to daydream. “If you walk into a personality-filled home, it’s hard to imagine yourself living there,” Maes says.

“If there are huge wedding photos on the wall, the buyer would start to wonder about the people in the photos rather than imagining their own first gathering in the house.”

However, Maes advises against leaving your sale property too sparse in an attempt to clean out the distractions. “Don’t leave out cushions and dressings, it’s too cold and masculine,” she says. “It doesn’t talk to a homeowner.”

Maes is also reluctant to add show-piece items such as fancy furniture and artwork, despite clients often asking for them. “You don’t want individual items stealing the show,” she says. “You’re selling a complete picture to people.

“The right staging takes the buyer’s decision-making from logical to a decision of the heart.”

BRW

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