Staging a home for a sale is as important as being priced ahead of the market. Staging is the art of preparing the house for sale. Staging is what you do after you’ve cleaned, de-cluttered, painted, made minor repairs; it’s all about dressing the house for sale. Staging makes your house look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more habitable and, best of all; it makes home buyers want to buy it.

The staging process starts when you search for a qualified listing agent by asking the questions regarding staging and preparing your home for sale. Some real estate sales professionals have earned an ASP RE Certification which is an Accredited Staging Professional for Realtors designation. Other real estate professionals will have a certified ASP Staging Professional on retainer or on staff.

According to statistics, 94.6 percent of ASP staged homes sell within 35 days. Additionally, the cost of staging a home can have a 300 percent return on that investment during the sales process. Using a realtor that has these resources for you will reduce the days your home is on the market and get you a much better price for your home.

The “Seven C’s Of Home Staging” include clean, clutter free, color, compromise, creativity, commitment and communicate.

Remember that the investment of staging your home is far less expensive that the possible price reductions on your home may incur during it’s time on the market.

Jason M. Jakus is a licensed realtor for Leisure American Realty, a full service Real Estate and Property Management company serving the beaches and surrounding areas of Lee County. Their office is located at 2450 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach FL 33931. For more information on this or any other real estate or property management subject contact Jason at 239.463.3178 or email RealtyInfo@LeisureAmerican.com.”