Home staging your Oakland County or Lapeer County MI home for sale.
At one time it was just part of a Realtor’s job to “stage” a home they were listing- at least in the North Oakland and Lapeer areas that I work in. In those days staging had a bit of a different meaning. I typically will tell a seller if they need to de-clutter, clean, paint, repair…. I have no taste, so I don’t normally suggest colors. I may suggest taking down some of your “art work” or removing bushes that are too big and too close to the house. This was called “staging.”
Now there is a whole new industry for home staging. Home Stagers have their own associations, training, certifications, etc. This is a “good thing.” Staging your Oakland County or Lapeer home MAY help you sell it faster and for more money. But since Home Staging has become its own industry, home stagers really don’t like Realtors calling what we do home staging.
It’s kind of like Kleenex which is a brand of tissue, but is used for all brands of tissue. Jacuzzi is a brand name that is used for all jetted tubs, and so on.
When it comes to the term home staging or home stager, certified home stagers think they own this term. Who had it first? Realtors used it long before home stagers were in existence. If you contact a Realtor who offers free home staging services, find out exactly what they are offering. Some may have a professional stager on their payroll. Some may just be coming in and suggesting ways to make your home show better.
There’s nothing wrong with the second scenario; most houses in Oakland and Lapeer County will NOT benefit from professional home staging services. Some will. The first call should be to your Realtor who can help you determine if you need professional staging services or not.
www.SearchMichiganMLSListings.com
Jackie Hawley, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Professionals
cell: 248-736-6407
Southeast Michigan Real Estate 