I've lost count of how many times I've told a prospective or current listing client that it's a beauty contest and a price war and you need to win both to sell your home in the current market. Are there exceptions? Sure…there's the unique location or architectural marvel with a historical aspect everyone wants to own, but for most, you simply need to look better and cost less to grab one of the few buyers in the current market looking to buy a home.

Lisa gave each of her guests this special cookie with her logo on it. Each was beautifully presented in a cellophane bag tied off with a ribbon.
It was 5 years ago I decided to give home staging a try to help my clients sell for more and in less time. Home staging's roots and traction came from the west coast of course and I was aware of it from the trade news I read and some blog articles. 5 years ago when I met Lisa Leonardi, creator of The Room Doctor, 70% of the listings in CA were already being staged at some level. Empty homes were furnished and occupied homes got sometimes complete make-overs.

Lisa Leonardi, right, with her right hand assistant Julie Cousins.
Lisa made a presentation to the brokerage I was working for at that time and her timing was perfect. I had a listing in need, TV shows were popping up dedicating themselves to the topic, and articles online and in real estate periodicals were covering the subject as well. Lisa was clearly the leading edge of home staging in our area and I for one was glad that this service was now available here. I was ready to give it a try..

Lisa held an open house at her beautiful home in Madison. She invited many of the great tradespeople she relies upon to get the job done. Karen Bernetti, a colleague in real estate and home staging, presented her new book "Ready2Sellin30Days" designed to help people prepare their home themselves in a well thought out and manageable way. You can eat an elephant...one bite at a time! Find out more at www.Ready2Sellin30Days.com.
I had just signed a listing in Waterford that the previous agency had failed to sell during their six month listing period. The Coast Guard officer and his family had already moved to their next assignment in Alaska and the modest split-level house was empty, needing updates, on a corner lot but had good bones. The price was ok but not saying "buy me, I'm a good deal in my current condition."

One of the many beautifully decorated rooms at Lisa's home for her annual open house.
I hired Lisa on my dime as the client had no funds to contribute so I covered this one in total. I had a 6% commission agreement so I could afford to cover it with my proceeds at closing. Lisa came in and treated the hardwood floors with a treatment to soften of the areas of that clearly needed refinishing. She brought in furnishings, hung nice things on the walls, made wonderful color choices in shower curtains and other accessories to soften the sting of the colors of a bygone era, and more. Candles were used in strategic places for ambiance. The place looked wonderful and it suggested a living flow that some buyers would have seen as challenging in a completely empty state. I now had a subject home that allowed me to create professional photos for marketing that were inviting and now looked like a good deal for the asking price now.

Lisa speaking with Ed McCaffrey from our Page Taft Real Living Essex office.
Long story short: I sold the home in less than 6 weeks, had more traffic in buyers at the house in the first week than the previous agency had during the entire listing period, and I found my own buyer making it very easy to cover the staging expense. I got very close to asking price, and the home sold in a short period of time. I've used The Room Doctor ever since and my track record proves the worth of the great service, advice, and talent of Lisa and her staff.
Here's what The Room Doctor offers:
Staging Consultations: A service whereby Lisa spends an hour or two (as needed for the size of the home and scope) and advises on what the homeowner should do to best prepare the home for sale. She provides a summary of that consult in writing for the client to execute on their own. I ask that my seller's do as much as they can afford and agree with. Most do a lot and it is a huge improvement.
Staging Assistance: A service whereby she and her staff will assist the homeowner in the physical execution of staging the home. From moving furniture, hanging art, and the like.
Full Service Staging: Get out of the way and let the pros do it all.
Furniture and accessory rental: Sometime's there's too much furniture, other times not, and still there are times replacing what isn't working with something that will till the house sells is the ticket.
There's much more The Room Doctor offers in the way of services so check out their website at the theroomdoctor.com.

The way things look really matter....especially to buyers in today's market.
If you're a seller and your agent hasn't recommended home staging, mention it to him or her! If you're an agent looking for a great home staging company, look no further. If you're a for sale by owner individual, what are you waiting for…call us or another agent you like and The Room Doctor today and get serious about selling your home today!