How does that old saying go? "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." When it comes to real estate, especially in this market, making a good first impression can mean the difference between selling your home quickly and letting it sit on the market for months. Which is not ideal and in some cases, can cost the seller money! According to a 2023 survey , the National Association of Realtors reported that 20% of the seller's agents surveyed reported a 1-5% increase in the dollar value offered by buyers in comparison to similar homes. That same report states that 48% percent of sellers’ agents confirmed that there was a decrease in the time the staged house was on the market. Many, if not most, clients initially choose not to stage their empty properties to save on costs. However, they often come back realizing that keeping the house on the market longer ends up costing them significantly more than the staging fees would have in the first place. It's important to remember that having a house sit empty isn't free; there are ongoing expenses like electricity, insurance, lawn maintenance and of course, your monthly mortgage! By investing in staging right off the bat, you have a chance to significantly reduce the days your home sits unsold and make it appealing to potential buyers from the start. For many potential buyers, the home-buying journey begins with an initial glimpse of your home, often captured through a cold, impersonal photograph or a brief video tour. It's only after this point that they book an in-person viewing. That makes the photographs and video CRUCIAL to get right. A first impression isn't merely about how people see your home, it is actually about the imprint that your home leaves on your potential buyer. The photographs are the starting point, that’s the moment the buyers begin to form an emotional connection with the home , not the house. It’s the point when they begin to envision how it might feel to live in that space—visualizing family gatherings in the dining room, birthday parties and movie nights in the living room, or the comfort and serenity of the master bedroom. Ultimately, setting up the first impression is about creating an inviting sense of belonging that resonates with them long after they’ve viewed your home online. It is common for a lot of sellers to think that photographs of an empty home showcases the square footage of the space or makes it appear larger. But this supposes that the buyer is specifically looking for a big house. Instead, adding a few pieces of furniture, a cozy rug, and some minor personal touches can create an emotional connection and present the space as a solution to what they're looking for in a home. Staging a home is much more effective to showcase a room's potential and all its best features than an empty home is. We want the buyer to imagine what it is going to feel like living in that space! Not to mention the beauty of a staged room distracts from small imperfections that buyers may get hung up on but otherwise would never notice. That same 2023 survey I mentioned above, conducted by the N.A.R. said this: " Eighty-one percent of buyers' agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the p roperty as a future home. " I've personally staged dozens of homes and have witnessed its effectiveness every single time. Just take a look at some of my before and after photos, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It's truly remarkable how staging can transform a space and make a property worth more to the buyer looking to make it a home. If you only get the first shot to make a good impression, make sure it’s a lasting one! 

How does that old saying go? "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." When it comes to real estate, especially in this market, making a good first impression can mean the difference between selling your home quickly and letting it sit on the market for months. Which is not ideal and in some cases, can cost the seller money! According to a 2023 survey , the National Association of Realtors reported that 20% of the seller's agents surveyed reported a 1-5% increase in the dollar value offered by buyers in comparison to similar homes. That same report states that 48% percent of sellers’ agents confirmed that there was a decrease in the time the staged house was on the market. Many, if not most, clients initially choose not to stage their empty properties to save on costs. However, they often come back realizing that keeping the house on the market longer ends up costing them significantly more than the staging fees would have in the first place. It's important to remember that having a house sit empty isn't free; there are ongoing expenses like electricity, insurance, lawn maintenance and of course, your monthly mortgage! By investing in staging right off the bat, you have a chance to significantly reduce the days your home sits unsold and make it appealing to potential buyers from the start. For many potential buyers, the home-buying journey begins with an initial glimpse of your home, often captured through a cold, impersonal photograph or a brief video tour. It's only after this point that they book an in-person viewing. That makes the photographs and video CRUCIAL to get right. A first impression isn't merely about how people see your home, it is actually about the imprint that your home leaves on your potential buyer. The photographs are the starting point, that’s the moment the buyers begin to form an emotional connection with the home , not the house. It’s the point when they begin to envision how it might feel to live in that space—visualizing family gatherings in the dining room, birthday parties and movie nights in the living room, or the comfort and serenity of the master bedroom. Ultimately, setting up the first impression is about creating an inviting sense of belonging that resonates with them long after they’ve viewed your home online. It is common for a lot of sellers to think that photographs of an empty home showcases the square footage of the space or makes it appear larger. But this supposes that the buyer is specifically looking for a big house. Instead, adding a few pieces of furniture, a cozy rug, and some minor personal touches can create an emotional connection and present the space as a solution to what they're looking for in a home. Staging a home is much more effective to showcase a room's potential and all its best features than an empty home is. We want the buyer to imagine what it is going to feel like living in that space! Not to mention the beauty of a staged room distracts from small imperfections that buyers may get hung up on but otherwise would never notice. That same 2023 survey I mentioned above, conducted by the N.A.R. said this: " Eighty-one percent of buyers' agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the p roperty as a future home. " I've personally staged dozens of homes and have witnessed its effectiveness every single time. Just take a look at some of my before and after photos, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It's truly remarkable how staging can transform a space and make a property worth more to the buyer looking to make it a home. If you only get the first shot to make a good impression, make sure it’s a lasting one!