Everyday Home Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 30

STAGING TO S EL L Selling Your Home Using Psychological Staging to Appeal to the Emotions of Buyers By Kristie Barnett When you are planning to put your house on the market, it is crucial to make your property stand out from the competition in order to sell it quickly and for top dollar. For buyers, purchasing a home is more than just checklists and dollar amounts. It’s a decision full of emotion that is influenced by first impressions and quick judgments. Don’t underestimate the power of psychology when staging your home to sell. Understanding buyer psychology can be the key to getting your home sold. The Importance of the First Impression Without a doubt, you only have a few moments to make a first impression. This is why the front entry must be impeccable. Place a plain, oversized doormat in some kind of natural fiber on the exterior of the entry. The door should have a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, and attractive exterior light fixtures. If there is a screen or glass door, it should be pristine. Fresh potted plants around the entry are always welcoming and add a sense of life and home. Cone shrubs at 2/3 height of the front door on either side of the front door frame it nicely. Cut back shrub growth from the edge 3-6 inches of the house and lay fres