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By Liz Bohm, guest contributor
"Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," an American Songbook classic, was written by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, in 1944. First made popular by Bing Crosby in the movie "Here Come the Waves," this flawlessly upbeat song was nominated for an Academy Award, in the Best Song category, in 1945.
Seventy-two years later, it remains as catchy as ever, and also serves as a toe-tapping reminder of the basics of home staging. Sing along, and enjoy!
You've got to accentuate the positive…
Arrange furniture, decorations and lighting so that the room clearly says, "Welcome!" After all, that's what Home is all about -- a place where we always feel welcome.
Eliminate the negative…
Clear clutter and personal items from surfaces. Remove up to half of the normal contents of a room, so it feels more spacious and inviting.
And latch on to the affirmative…
The goal of staging is to make it easy for the buyer to picture themselves as the one who lives, works, plays and dreams in the space.
Don't mess with Mister in-between …
Remind your clients that staging is a widely recognized best practice, used by motivated sellers.
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum…
First impressions are made within the first few seconds -- make it a positive one. For the right buyer, that "this is the one" feeling can be pure joy.
Bring gloom down to the minimum …
Ensure the lights are on, even in the daytime, and use higher wattage bulbs in hallways and bathrooms. Keep curtains and blinds open, and use mirrors strategically to leverage the light.
Have faith, or pandemonium's liable to walk upon the scene …
We know not every pet creates "pandemonium," and in fact, pet-friendly houses can be a real plus. However, be sure to observe how animals respond to you as an "outsider" and advise accordingly. Pets that are calm and quiet around their owners can exhibit anxious or even aggressive behavior towards strangers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Liz Bohm is Marketing Coordinator and Assistant to Bill Stanley, Broker Associate at RE/MAX Mesa Verde Realty in Montezuma County, in beautiful Southwest Colorado. Prior to recently joining the world of real estate, Liz worked in nonprofit development and communications for 15+ years in the San Francisco Bay Area.
