Tips from Atlanta Home Stager, Kathy Nielsen.

It’s happened to me. Has it happened to you? You enter a home and you have absolutely no clue as to what the purpose of the room is?  Unfortunately, it happens too often, especially if the home is vacant.

Tomorrow I’ll be home staging a home in Grant Park in Atlanta, Georgia that had this exact dilemma. I arrived, entered the home and just stood in middle of the room scratching my head (okay, not really “scratching my head” but, you get the point).  I was told it was the living room. It sure didn’t look like a living room. However, I can assure you that after tomorrow you’ll know exactly what room it is. Stay tuned for the pictures of this home staging project as I’ll be posting them as soon as I get back.

In the meantime, here are tips on “how to avoid leaving the buyer guessing.”

• Give the room a purpose by understanding the demographics of the buyer Let’s say the room in question is on the main floor. It may make sense to turn that room into an office if in fact the buyer is young or of middle age. This age bracket has a tendency to work from home and would make for a perfect solution for this room.

• Take into consideration the location of the room in question – For example, if the room is located on the upper level, just outside of the kids rooms, then consider creating a “play room” for the kids.  If it’s a room over the garage (attached to the house), then consider making that room an office.

• Think like a buyer – Having lived in your home, you’re well aware of what the room is (or was) used for. However, understand that the buyer isn’t in the same position and hasn’t a clue. Start at the front door and use the “buyers-eye.”

Remember – leaving the buyer guessing is never a good idea. With proper planning, using the above home staging tips, you’ll be on your way to setting definition to that confusing room and eliminate the guessing game.