Staging Homes for Sale

in Los Angeles & other markets

With over 20 years of professional design experience, and as a former real estate broker for Coldwell Banker, I have assisted many agents and sellers with the staging of their homes for sale.

I currently stage homes in Los Angeles and other markets around the country.

Learn about Staging Homes in Los Angeles & other markets:

If the staging of a home is executed properly, the results can be quite favorable. On the other hand, poor staging of a home can lose you big money in a hurry.

Thinking about staging your home for sale? If you live in Los Angeles, around Los Angeles, in Orange County, up north in San Francisco, or in other competitive markets such as NY, Florida, or Chicago, I invite you to contact me. I would be happy to discuss your options, and answer any questions that you may have. I deal exclusively with interior design, so if you are working with a real estate agent (or are a real estate agent), there is no conflict whatsoever.

As most folks don't know about staging a home for sale, or even think about it until after they have their property on the market, below I've provided an FAQ of sorts.

Read on to learn more about staging your home for sale...in Los Angeles and elsewhere...

-> What is staging your home for sale? How should it look?

Staging is presenting your home in a visually appealing and compelling manner to a pool of buyers. The goal is to have as many visitors fall in love with your property as possible. When staging, the application of professional interior design strategies and practices are essential for successful execution. Some examples of my work are provided below (click to enlarge photos).

Staging your home for sale involves (sometimes) separating your personal tastes, and creating an enticing yet neutral setting which most buyers will find appealing.

The staging process begins OUTside, at the curb and then flows to the inside. If buyers don't like what they see when driving by your home, it is practically impossible to get them through the door.

-> Why stage your home for sale?

The biggest reason to stage your home is for a FASTER sale. If you need to sell quickly - two mortgages, moving out of town, can't afford payments - staging is a very worthwhile investment.

An investment up front for staging your home can often save you tens of thousands in the long term, and assure yourself of a sale. The longer your home remains on the market:

1. The more money you can lose on monthly payments



2. The more it creates a perception of something being "wrong". Buyers start asking themselves: Why hasn't this home sold? Why do they keep reducing the price? The goal is to get you an offer in the first 30 days – and it is usually your highest offer.

A second important reason to stage your home is so that you can obtain maximum value, and sell it for MORE. Staging presents your home in its strongest light, and entices buyers by creating a personal connection. Half the battle is won when a buyer can immediately picture themselves in the home. And often times competing parties will even drive up the price and increase your return on investment.

-> When to stage your home for sale?

Staging a home for sale is common in two scenarios.

1. In a competitive marketplace where your home and others are competing for the attention of selective buyers. (This can apply to Los Angeles, or any other market where these conditions exist.)



2. Any market where your existing home design is not appealing to (and gaining the interest of) buyers. We may live in our home and feel it's completely presentable, but have lost objectivity after some years pass. An honest third party design opinion is often a very important reality check.

-> How do we stage your home for sale?

Wondering how it's done? We start the staging process by eliminating clutter, and putting into storage any items not absolutely necessary to your life at the time of sale. The powerful appeal of a presentable, relaxing environment cannot be underestimated. Keep in mind that eliminating clutter even includes the closets; they must look spacious and presentable, as buyers WILL open them.

Next we work together to create a wonderful, receptive design for your home – inside and out. This involves honoring the architecture and style of your home, and bringing out its best features through re-organization, placement of furniture and accessories, updated color selection, and a whole lot more. A neutral (yet attractive) design palette is used to appeal to the greatest pool of buyers - so that those coming in will fall in love with your home.

Staging Tip... When staging, most designers will have you buy furniture to fill a space. However, being that some of these new items may not work in your new home, I often suggest renting from prop houses. With my production design background I am very familiar with what prop houses can deliver on. You can achieve a very couture look when staging your home, get a solid offer, and then return it all afterwards.

-> How much does it cost to stage your home for sale?

Cost can vary depending on the size of the home, and how many items you have or don't have. A good range is anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for a basic staging project. (This price is all-inclusive, consisting of the purchase of all materials, home upgrades, rentals, and design fee.)

Some sellers may hesitate, but you must keep your eye on the big picture. When a home staging investment pays off it can generate tens of thousands of dollars more in an offer, and then you are WAY ahead of the game.

Another approach is to schedule a home staging design consultation. At a typical cost ranging from $300 to $500 we can completely evaluate your home and create a comprehensive to-do list that you are then responsible for completing. (If outside of the Los Angeles area, travel considerations apply.)