Castro Valley CA (PRWEB) May 11, 2015
According to Richard Scheinin of the San Jose Mercury News, in an article called “Lights! Camera! Action! Staging homes fattens sale prices,” staging a home before placing it on the market for sale creates several benefits, such as multiple offers, a quicker sale, and a higher sale price. (1)
What is staging?
Staging is bringing in a professional interior designer, and having them choose furniture, art, drapes and accessories that will showcase the home in the best possible light, and give the interested buyers a feel for what it will be like to live in a home.
Murline Monat, a real estate agent specializing in Castro Valley Neighborhoods in the San Francisco East Bay Foothills, states that “if a seller has lived in a home for many years, “de-cluttering” is an important start to preparing a home for the market. A seller’s personal items have proven to be a distraction so it is best for sellers to begin to de-clutter and start packing.
With a clean slate, the stager sets the backdrop by creating a view or story that suggests a lifestyle. Lifestyle is created through curb appeal, fresh paint, refreshed flooring, contemporary furniture artwork that appeals to a specific demographic. Buyers need to be able to imagine living in that home.
Results of staging:
Once a house is staged, a survey shows that staged properties sell twice as quickly as un-staged properties. A study by the National Association of Realtors showed that amounts offered are 1- 5 percent higher than they would be without staging. The cost of staging can range from $3,000 to $20,000. Usually the home seller is responsible for the cost of staging, which will be recouped once the property is sold.
“What we are going for is an emotional response from the home buyer,” Murline comments. “We want the homebuyer to envision living in the home and adding their own imprint. It also creates scale and perspective; the buyer can envision their sofas, tables and bedroom furniture fitting into the space. “
Cathly Lee Cibelli, the California President of the Real Estate Staging Association, who was featured on the House and Garden TV Network series “Flip It to Win It” said that deft staging brings a touch that “stirs the imagination” of buyers.
Staging Summary:
Because creating buyer appeal is a critical aspect of selling, a talented stager and great photographer are essential. Ms. Monat does not leave these essentials to interpretation or to chance. On behalf of the seller, the stager and photographer are hired by Murline to ensure the best presentation of the seller’s home in order to generate the highest and best price.
A long-time Bay Area resident, Murline brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her realty career – including an M.S in Industrial Psychology, building her own home. Her background makes her an excellent champion for her clients. By ensuring her clients are appropriately informed throughout the purchasing or selling process, coordinating all the parties involved, and negotiating the best deal, Murline’s reputation in the community and real estate industry is impeccable.
She combines many aspects of her prior career into real estate. She comfortably guides her clients through important lifestyle choices. These decisions “bring great comfort and satisfaction to individuals and to families. I love being a part of that process.”
A Bay Area resident since the age of 5, Murline and her husband made Castro Valley their home because of its central location for both of their careers at the time. While a practical choice, the decision to live in Castro Valley has always been a happy one.
Contact Information
Murline Monat
Empire Realty Associates, Inc.
Danville, CA 94526
510-406-0114
925-523-9852
MMonat(at)EmpireRA(dot)com
CastroValleyNeighborhoods.com
MurlineMonat.com