You might think that an empty home is an easy home to sell with nothing to distract the homebuyer. It turns out that a vacant home can leave a bad impression on potential buyers.

“A lot of people have a hard time visualizing what a room’s function is or what the size of the room would be. A lot of times, a vacant room without furniture appears a lot smaller than it actually is,” according to home stager Beth Thomas of Turn Key Homes.

To a home stager, an empty home is an opportunity to reveal a home’s full potential and wow buyers. As a stager, she considers who the home will be marketed to and then brings in the right furniture and accessories to appeal to that demographic. Working with a blank canvas, she can ensure that the furniture is correctly proportioned to suit a room. She’s also able to play up the features and play down the flaws.

Thomas addresses problem rooms first and is always mindful of highlighting the home’s best assets while taking attention away from the flaws. It’s important, she explains, to allow buyers to visualize the function of a room. Furniture placement is also a key to presenting a room’s full potential.

In addition to furniture, Turn Key Homs also brings in rugs, artwork, accents and decorative details including bathroom towels, plants and kitchen accessories.

“Everything is set up, delivered, taken away, all done for you.”

Thomas also suggests new paint colours, fixtures and anything else to maximize a home’s potential.

“We have a great team of contractors that work with us. They do the painting, the lighting any minor repairs, major repairs, anything to best show off the house.”

Research shows that 72 per cent of a buyer’s first impression is formed within 10 seconds of stepping inside a front door. In fact, most potential home buyers form an opinion as they pull into the driveway. That’s why a well presented home will be sold faster and for more money.

“People are buying a house on emotion,” the home stager contends. “They want the lifestyle they’re seeing, even if their furniture at home isn’t necessarily the same as the furniture that we’re using.”

The feeling they get when they walk through the door is a major influence. When potential buyers fall in love with the home, they are nervous that someone else might feel the same way and out-bid them.

“They are more likely to put an offer in that gives them the best chance of getting it,” advises the home stager.

Visit www.turnkeyhomes.ca or call 905-690-3806 to find out how Turn Key Homes can help you make that first impression to prepare your home to sell for more.