I like this list put together by Rhonda Conchola and posted by her on eZine Articles.  If you are a home stager and want to get more traffic and publicity for your web site and your business, you might want to use this list as a starting point for articles of your own.

Each of the following tips could be used as the germ for your own article.  If you are new to article marketing, consider getting a free copy of my report called Article Power You can get it by clicking on that link or by going to my blog on article writing: http://ArticleMarketingHint.com

Here is here article:

101 Reasons to Use Home Staging

Are you still stuck on the fence about whether or not to hire a home stager? How about 101 great reasons why you should consider this very smart real estate investment? You may be surprised to learn some of these reasons really do make practical sense.

1. Statistically, home staging has been proven by a survey conducted by RESA to sell homes faster.
2. Statistically, property staging has resulted in a higher selling price because the home sold faster.
3. A home stager can provide an unbiased opinion of the home that the homeowner can not give since he can become partial and so familiar to his own home.
4. Property Staging gives a competitive edge over other homes on the market.
5. The cost of real estate staging is always less than the cost of your first price reduction.
6. Real estate staging creates an emotional response from the potential home buyers that can result in an offer made in the moment of emotional attachment to the home.
7. Home staging adds color to a home that can act like “eye candy” making the home more desirable.
8. Real estate staging is essential in a buyer’s market. There are too many homes on the market to choose from.
9. Property staging can increase the number of showings you have.
10. Realtors prefer and will choose to show listings that have been staged over listings that have not. Thus, home staging increases showings.
11. Real estate staging can take a “stale property” that has been on the market for too long and make it a “hot property” once more within the real estate community.
12. A listing that is staged will show better in online photos and web media than a listing that is not staged.
13. Real estate staging can increase the perceived value of a property.
14. Home staging highlights the home’s greatest architectural features.
15. Staging shows the homes greatest functionality.
16. It gives potential buyer’s a visual as to how much furniture can actually comfortably fit into a space.
17. Home staging adds curb appeal, which in turn can help draw prospective buyers in. If the curb appeal is not good, many times the buyers will not even get out of the car to tour the home.
18. Stagers will help sellers reduce clutter in the home and make it appear larger.
19. It will make a space feel more organized which can create a peaceful serene feeling for a potential buyer.
20. It gives the entry or foyer a “WOW” factor when buyers come through the door.
21. Because home staging recommends to the seller to put away keepsakes and valuables for staging purposes, they are kept safe from anyone touring the home.
22. It draws the eye away from the small flaws in a home and draw attention to the positive features of a home.
23. It is the art of decorating a home to appeal to all tastes and therefore will appeal to a broader range of potential buyers.
24. A quality stager continues to stay educated with the latest design trends and real estate marketing techniques and will implement these techniques when staging.
25. It can make a space appear larger.
26. It helps real estate agents do their job more effectively when the home is neat, organized and properly staged
27. Because there is less “stuff” in the home, staging helps the homeowner keep the home neat for showings.
28. It helps to clear the air in the home of any odors and helps keep the home smelling fresh.
29. Staging creates focal points that draw attention to special features in the home.
30. It will brighten a space as much as possible.
31. Home staging can integrate certain design elements to a particular room style which can help to sell the home. For ex: A rustic styled room can be staged as such, a country style, a contemporary style, etc.
32. It depersonalizes a home which will remove the current home owner’s personality and make the potential buyer feel more at home.
33. It gives a space a harmonized and unified feel that will appeal to more buyers.
34. A staged home will not be over-powering which can tend to “alienate” prospective buyers.
35. Home stagers utilize certain staging techniques in a staged home that implements a design plan cohesively through out the home.
36. Home stagers can identify a home’s style and determine a design plan reflective to that particular style without over powering the design.
37. It presents a home in a “model home” appeal much the same that the builders use in their model homes.
38. Home stagers have working relationships with sub contractors and handymen in which they are aware of the quality of their work prior to bringing them to your home.
39. Using a home stager prior to beginning a home flip can be very beneficial since a home stager is trained to look for the cosmetic details in a property that need the most attention.
40. A stager can be very helpful in prioritizing the need for certain cosmetic updates which is great when you are working on a limited budget.
41. A stager can save a home seller the unnecessary expense of buying furniture to stage a home and in some cases also rent furniture and accessories to the homeowner for less money and more flexible rental contracts.
42. It can make an older home feel more modernized.
43. Potential buyers will think your in a hurry to sell your home if you leave it vacant.
44. You only get one chance to make to make a great first impression.
45. It creates ambiance in a room and gives it a “homey” feeling.
46. It helps promote multiple offers. Often when there are competitive bids, a bidding war can take place provoking a selling price above the asking price.
47. It adds charm to an old home that creates a feeling of restored beauty.
48. It can bring the outdoors in with pops of small palm planters and floral arrangements.
49. Stagers pay very close attention to the small details of marketing a home that a homeowner may have not have noticed or has grown used to seeing and doesn’t realize any potential problem.
50. Stagers are very resourceful and can take certain elements of the home and re-purpose and reuse to help the home owner save money.
51. Home stagers are usually very creative by nature and can creatively arrange certain pieces of furnishings or artwork to create a fresh new look in a home.
52. Stagers shop for accessories frequently and can often use designer discounts to provide the home owner with lower cost accessories and other services.
53. A good home stager usually knows what updates and changes will yield the highest return on investment.
54. Stagers make great overseers for an open house when they have staged the home.
55. More than 80% of Real Estate Agents are now recommending home staging to their clients. If you are not staging your property, someone else in your neighborhood probably is!
56. Stagers will assist you in packing, and everyone one knows, nobody likes to pack.
57. Stagers will help you to stay organized when you pack which will help tremendously when unpacking in the new home.
58. It eliminates the need for a buyer to have a big imagination.
59. It makes a cold and sterile empty house become vibrant with color and life through proper accessorizing.
60. When a buyer walks into a staged property they are looking at how a home is livable instead of trying pick apart the flaws or other small details.
61. Home staging with a bed in a master bedroom will make a the room more desirable much the same as a bed fluffed and on display in a department store.
62. Staging a master bath will give the space a “spa-like” feel to it and make it very warm and inviting. It should have the same appeal as an 5 Star hotel has with fresh, towels, soaps, etc.
63. Because closets are very important to many buyers, clearing the space to stage it and make it appear larger is extremely important and can make or break a deal.
64. It’s most important to stage a master bedroom (and bathroom) since the person who will buy the home is most likely going to live in that room.
65. A quality stager will research the demographics in the sellers market and stage a secondary room to appeal to that particular market. For example: young professionals, families with children, etc.
66. In real life, it is difficult to keep that “new home” look. Staging will help restore and revive your home to it’s “new home ” originality.
67. It helps to captivate and romance a buyer to make an offer.
68. It communicates to a potential buyer that the home has been well maintained and cared for.
69. Staging tells a home’s “story” and gives it character.
70. It updates the lighting fixtures in an outdated home. Many people live in very dimly lit homes and they are not even aware of how dark it is.
71. It gives a seller the opportunity to clear out and cash in. Taking a fresh look at what you want to move to the new home and what you don’t need will be the beginnings of a profitable yard sale.
72. Even the most elegant and high end luxury homes can have too much personality in the home. If a house looks over decorated, buyers will resist the property feeling too uncomfortable in the home.
73. Stagers are the creative minds realtors depend on to help market their clients home for most money possible.
74. Often, property staging can increase the selling price of a home.
75. A real estate stager will recommend neutral wall colors that will appeal to a broader range of buyers.
76. Stagers can provide quick-fix lost cost solutions to many wear and tear problems through out the home.
77. House staging coordinates design style with functionality.
78. Home staging arranges furnishings so they “talk to each other” making the space have a cohesive feel much the same as a model home.
79. Staging a room can help to define an area that may not necessarily define itself.
80. Property staging will encourage sellers to stage a room only for it’s intended purpose which will help potential buyers see their furnishings in the space as well.
81. A staged home will always show better when compared to an un-staged home and will present the home in it’s best possible light
82. A staged house appears “move-in’ ready.
83. A staged property will look better on printed listing flyers.
84. According to a study conducted by RESA in 2009, a staged home will spend 78% less time on the market that an un-staged vacant home.
85. According to the same study by RESA, a staged property sold on average in 40.5 days.
86. A staged property that sells quickly will benefit the buyer, the seller, the realtor as well as the stager involved in the sell. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
87. According to a study conducted by HomeGain home staging will have at least a 286% – 1067% ROI depending on your regional location.
88. Staging will help to ease the process of your home sale experience since potential problems can be identified and solved before they are spotted by potential buyer.
89. Working with a home stager can make the home sale process less stressful.
90. Staging is not decorating-decorating is optional. Staging is more of a necessity if you want to sell your home for the most money possible in the shortest amount of time.
91. Once you put your home on the market, it is important to remember that your home is no longer your home, but a product you are selling. Staging will help “package” your product more effectively.
92. Staging a home can eliminate profiling or stereotyping in the mind of a potential buyer.
93. Buyers want to fall in love with a home. This is much less likely to happen in a cold and sterile, white-walled vacant home.
94. A stager will help a seller determine what personalized decor in the home should be packed and stored away for the move.
95. A home stager will help to ensure that a potential buyer does not feel as if he/she is intruding on someone’s private space.
96. When a property is not staged with furniture it will make every crack in the wall, scuff on the floor, and any other cosmetic defect much more noticeable and turn buyers off.
97. Real estate staging is quickly becoming an essential piece of the real estate puzzle.
98. Staging is not just another out of pocket expense. It is a smart real estate investment that yields a high return on investment.
99. Staging maximizes a home’s selling potential and power.
100. Home staging can be very affordable. Some companies such as can offer various staging packages for most any budget.
101. Home staging maintains a professional client-realtor relationship and helps save on marketing costs for realtors.
102. Staging really works!

If you ask many people what they believe staging a home is, you are likely to get a whole range of opinions. One of the most common replies is that home staging is just de-cluttering a home and painting the walls beige. Often this view is even held by professional real estate agents. Unfortunately from this perspective people are missing out on the majority of the value Edmonton home staging can add to their listing. Painting and de-cluttering are important steps when preparing a home for sale, however, these are just two suggestions that a professional home stager might offer.

Home Staging is becoming more widely recognized as an incredibly valuable tool to sell a home. Especially in the current economic climate, home staging is critical to make your listing stand out from the thousands of other houses for sale. Television programs about staging accentuate the benefits and give viewers a 30 minute demonstration of the impact staging makes. One of the pitfalls of these programs is that they try to show the maximum impact in a 30 minute time slot so consumers get the basic idea of what staging is but still don’t know the full range of services that most home staging companies in Edmonton offer.

The decision to buy or sell a house is one of the most emotionally charged decisions that people make. For sellers, this can have a huge impact on how they present their home for sale. Often a seller has mixed emotions about selling a house that may have decades of warm memories attached to it. Or they may be selling under difficult circumstances and may not want to invest any money into the house to bring it up to par. In either situation, a professional home stager will be able to work within the scope of a seller’s emotional state and will gently guide them through the steps to create a home that buyers will fall in love with.

Just as a seller may have strong emotions attached to the property, a prospective purchaser is also making a decision based mostly on emotion and the factors that most influence their emotional response are often subconscious. It is these subconscious emotional responses that many sellers neglect to address when they are preparing their home for sale. Because sellers typically have positive emotional connections to the property they are selling, they just assume that anybody walking into their home will automatically have the same positive view. This is NOT the case. A buyer will be very guarded walking into a prospective home for the first time because they are concerned that if they overlook something they could purchase a problematic property.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression and for this reason a professional home stager is an integral part of any sales team. A properly staged property will draw a buyers attention to positive elements of the property and away from any possible negatives. Now, it’s important to understand that much of what I’ve been describing is happening within a buyer on a subconscious level. The way these subconscious thoughts influence a purchaser is in how they feel which is why buyers looking at a home that isn’t presented well will often pass on a listing that meets all their criteria but “just doesn’t feel right”.

There are a number of factors that can trigger a subconscious emotional reaction in a prospective buyer. Let’s consider one of the most common elements of selling that many sellers ignore. Studies have shown that there is a large generation gap that is frequently present between sellers and buyers. The average age of sellers is nearly 60, while the average age of buyers is 32. This generation gap usually creates a style gap as well. I don’t think it is a stretch to say that most home buyers don’t want to buy “grandma’s house” but often times that is the subconscious feeling they get when they first walk into a home that has not been professionally staged.

Prospective buyers want to purchase a home that fits their lifestyle. Unfortunately, many sellers don’t understand that creating a “lifestyle” means overcoming subconscious emotional objections that a buyer might have. From top to bottom, inside and out, a professional home stager will give you a competitive edge over your competition by presenting your property in a way that will overcome a buyer’s emotional objections. If you are looking to sell your home please keep in mind that home staging is an investment, not an expense. When you compare the cost of home staging to what your first price reduction could be, home staging may well be one of the best investments you will ever make.

Josie Bamber, Professional Home Stager and Owner of Refresh Home Staging & Redesign Inc., incorporates her knowledge of interior decorating, training as a Home Stager and experience in real estate to transform properties into what buyers want. Josie is passionate about bringing out the best in every home at the best price. She believes that every property has the potential to look good. It’s all about having the skill to make this happen.

Josie can be contacted by email at josie@refreshmyspace.ca
http://www.refreshmyspace.ca

Home staging involves taking the time and effort and yes, a little bit of expense to ensure that your home is a marketable product and that you get the greatest possible return on your largest PEI real estate investment, your home.

Home staging involves presenting your home in a way to take the focus off the less desirable aspects and focus buyers on the reasons that they would want to buy your home. It involves de-personalizing your home and making it suitable for the maximum number of potential purchasers.

Much of homestaging you can do yourself and in fact might even enjoy doing – however, some aspects may require the services of a professional, especially if anything is in need of repair.

1. Curb Appeal – the outside

Make your home the best looking on the block when potential buyers drive up. Remember, on average, island homes are well looked after, so this might be a “tall order” in your neighborhood. Make sure that paths are swept and in winter snow is cleared and paths are de-iced. In spring, summer and fall make sure that at minimum flowerbeds are cleared of old growth, however if the growing season is right plant some flowering plants. Tidy away garbage bins and any derelict items from around the house, and paint the trim in an attractive, complimentary color.

2. Clean & Clutter Free

The next step is to move indoors and give your home a thorough “spring cleaning”. That means behind the stove and fridge and all the places people don’t see as well as those that they do. Make sure that your home smells fresh. Clean out cupboards and closets of extraneous items. These prohibit the buyers from seeing themselves living in the home. Take the time to de-personalize the rooms as well. Take down family pictures and momentos as these also distract buyers and make the rooms look smaller.

3. Reduce and Arrange

As well as de-cluttering, reduce the amount of furniture in your home and keep only those pieces that suit the decor and are in good condition. Your furniture will also add or detract from how buyers view your home. If you have older furniture that is not in good condition then buy some attractive throws and cover the worst pieces. You should most likely paint unless you did so recently. If your walls are anything other than a muted, pastel shade or white then paint anyway. The more strong or unusual your choice of home decor and colors the greater the need to mute-down your decor.

4. Lighten up

Make sure that during day showings that window coverings are open and during evening showings that as many lights as possible are on. You may want to add a few bright touches in your now muted decor. Choose a potted plant, a nice picture for the wall. a rug – well this is the fun part, right?

5. Security

You are inviting strangers into your home. Make sure that you have removed any items, documents, prescriptions or anything that tells the visitor about you. You do not want them to know anything about you as this could be used in negotiation, ie if a buyer saw a prescription for a certain drug they might know your health issues and realize your need to sell. As you don’t know who is coming through your home, these people may have reasons other than purchasing PEI real estate, so play it safe. On the subject of safe, also make sure that the environment is safe for the buyers too. Ensure there are no obstacles in their path, no potentially dangerous items on display (your gun collection for example), and that your pet(s) are secured.

R. Parker works with local realtors to promote PEI real estate and PEI as a place for people to relocate to. Known as the “Gentle Island”, PEI is known for it’s laid back lifestyle.

Homestaging is the latest trend in marketing and selling your home. Most savvy and experienced real estate agents will be familiar with homestaging- sometimes called “fluffing”. It can be as simple as your qualified real estate agent coming in and advising you to remove clutter, change a too bright paint color or remove out-of-date- wall paper. It can also be as involved as hiring a professional accredited Home Staging professional who will help your home give the best first impression on potential home buyers while not breaking. Typically it will mean re-painting your home in more neutral and more sell-able colors. Removing or replacing art work, family pictures and personal objects. Buyers like to see a “clean” palette and picture their own items- and home staging makes it easier.

Tidy Every Room in the House

Check counters, floors, closets, halls and stairs. Make beds; straighten or remove newspapers, magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreation gear, drinking glasses and dishes.

Lighting

Lots of light will show off your home- turn on all the lights, even in daytime.
Open all the blinds- will show views, make rooms look larger and add sunlight to the rooms.

Kitchen and Bathroom

Make sure bathroom and kitchen gleam! In the kitchen have counters as clear as possible, put away crockpot, toaster oven and blender. Clear and wipe down all counters and appliances. Have dishwasher emptied. Scrub out the sink – scrub faucet and edges with toothbrush and soak bleach in sink – you will be shocked how much better your kitchen will look will look!
Flowers are a nice touch- use fragrant flowers such as roses, freesia or lilies.

Straighten washcloths and towels; replace with fresh, decorative ones if possible. Clean the sink and wipe down counters. Use clean smelling room freshener- avoid anything to sweet or cloying.

Get Rid of Clutter

I can’t emphasize this is enough- DECLUTTER. Get rid of stacks of magazines on coffee table, the pile of kid’s crafts on the microwave and bowl of change on the front hall table. You may have to go to extremes and pack up the bulk of your belonging and consider putting then in storage if space as an issue. You do not want to give the slightest hint that you home is too small, cramped or over stuffed!

Think of it as buyers mentally moving their own things into a home. If a home has too much or too little in it, it is hard for most buyers to visualize how their own belongings things will look in your home. There are many do-it-yourself web sites that specialize in way to help you get your home ready for sale. Of course, when selling your home- you want to keep your costs as low as possible and see a return on your home staging investment. Your real estate agent can help! They know what sells and what doesn’t. Good Luck selling your home!

LJ Stewart worked in interior design business for several years and now works as freelance business writer and consultant to small businesses. For more information on homestaging and tips for selling your home please visit LeaJensen.com – Mississauga MLS Listings and top selling Mississauga and Oakville Real Estate Agent

Technorati Tags: homestaging, home staging, sell home, decluttering, selling your home

Here is another good example of a home stager using article marketing to promote not only her occupation, but also her designation and her particular business. etn

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Question: Do I really need to stage my house?

Answer: Home staging is recommended to homeowners who are serious about selling their house in the shortest amount of time. Think of this scenario: Two comparable houses are for sale in the same general area. House A was staged and is in prime showing condition. House B was not staged and may have some design issues. Which house do you think buyers will be more interested in? Statistics show us that homes which are professionally prepared for the real estate market sell in one-third less time than non-staged houses.

Question: My Realtor told me to wait to stage, is this good advise?

Answer: The sooner you stage your house, the better it will be for you. If your agent told you to not stage or to wait to stage, your Realtor may not have a complete understanding about the value of home staging. Some agents are concerned about recommending more out-of-pocket expenses for their clients. It is a noble concern but not a necessary one when considering home staging. Stagers work with real estate agents as a team, and most stagers will be happy to answer any questions that Realtors may have regarding the staging process. Realtors may not know it, but stagers may be their greatest asset in the marketing of a client’s home.

Question: How do I choose a stager?

Answer: There are many things to look for when choosing a stager. Before you hire a stager, consider these qualifications:

• Look for credentials. A good stager will be professionally trained in staging and design principles.
• Ask for references. An experienced stager will have references and a photo gallery of personal projects.
• Interview your stager. Most staging businesses are independently owned and will operate differently from each other.

Question: Can I stage my own house? or Can I have my friend stage my house?Answer: It is best to use an independent staging consultant who has an objective view of your home. Professional stagers are specifically trained to find and remove the obstacles that could interfere with the sale of your house. Homeowners and friends who are familiar with a house may find it difficult to apply staging and design principles to areas in which they are emotional attached.

Question: Doesn’t staging cost a lot of money?

Answer: Staging, like any quality service, is not free. Staging costs may range anywhere between $100 for a consultation evaluation to $2500 for full staging services, (Actual costs vary depending upon company pricing and location.) Think of the cost of staging as an investment in your home that will save you time and money when your house is listed. Statistically, the investment of staging a house has a return of approximately 120%; (for a $1000 staging project, a homeowner may see $1200 return when they sell their home. Statistics cited from http://www.stagedhomes.com, with permission). The bottom line is that your investment in staging will usually be less than the first price reduction on your home! Can you really afford to not stage your house?

Question: Isn’t staging and decorating the same thing?

Answer: No. Staging and decorating are on different ends of the spectrum. Staging uses proven techniques that creates an emotional response in buyers; thus generating greater buyer interest. Interior decorating uses design principles and decor to display the homeowners individual tastes and styles. When you decide to sell your home, personal styles will need to be set aside to make your house appealing to the most amount of buyers.

Question: How do I get started?

Answer: Ask your Realtor if their agency provides staging services or stager referrals. Otherwise, to find an Accredited Staging Professional in your area, visit Staged Homes.

Your home may be the biggest investment that you make in your lifetime. When you are ready to list your home, do not sell your investment short. A properly prepared home will sell in the shortest amount of time while commanding the highest offers. For more information on staging visit KFM Staging & Design.

Kristina, owner of KFM Staging & Design, is an Accredited Staging Professional and has been working with Realtors, builders, and homeowners in the Twin Cities for over ten years. KFM Staging & Design specializes in consulting as a real estate expert, performing vacant and occupied staging services, and working with re-design clients.

For more information of staging, visit: http://www.kfmstaging.com