Tuesday May 19, 2009 — NASSAU, BAHAMAS —The economic slump so many people are experiencing these days has made it a necessity for buyers of Nassau, Bahamas real estate to be particular about the home they choose to buy.

Staging a home with the help of a Nassau, Bahamas Realtor means sellers can make their homes stand out in the crowd during this buyer’s market.

Staging a home may seem overwhelming, but following a few key tips can build buzz and lead to the swift selling of your home, said Rachel Pinder, principal broker of Island Living Real Estate.

“When a buyer looks at a home that is vacant, it is very hard to picture what it will look like with furniture,” Pinder said. “By staging a home, buyers do not have to use their imagination. When they walk into a furnished home, they get a good feeling and this will in turn prompt them to purchase.”

Staging a home does not require redecorating the home or doing major renovations. Staging can be as simple as cleaning out the house or updating old-fashioned elements. The goal is to make the strengths of the house stand out, while softening the weaknesses.

Open up the space
The first thing any home seller should do is remove any unnecessary furniture, personal items, or decorations, Pinder said. Taking away clutter makes rooms appear bigger and allows buyers to roam the space physically and in their imagination. Renting a storage room may cost extra, but the cost will be made up in how quickly the home will sell. Storing the items in a garage or attic is not recommended, because buyers may want to use the garage for a workshop or an extra room. Filling it with storage blocks the buyer from viewing the space.

In de-cluttering the rooms, the seller should limit the number of items displayed on end tables, side tables or bookshelves, she said. Overstocking gives an illusion of clutter. The seller also should clean out kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Potential buyers will open them to see how much they hold and can be surprised by overstocked shelves or personal items left out.

Rearrange rooms to make the most of the space and change the light bulbs to a high wattage to make the rooms seem bright and open.

If the house is empty, it is a good idea to rent furniture for open house events. Furniture may add to the expenses, but it allows buyers to see the dimensions of the room without measuring the space. It also can spark ideas on how to decorate and can give the buyer a personal connection with the home.

Make the home a neutral ground
When a potential buyer walks into a home, they do not want to see the home of the seller; they want to see how they fit into the space, Pinder said. To do this, the seller must neutralize the space.

Re-paint any intimidating wall colors. Neutral colors tend to help homes sell better because the buyer can see a blank canvas upon which they can make their mark. Seeing a strangely colored room hinders buyers from seeing themselves in the home.

Family photographs tend to also hinder a buyer, Pinder said. Seeing the current family in the home may lead the buyer to wonder more about the family than the home.

Keep it fresh
When a family is living in the home, it can be difficult to keep a fresh appearance, but keeping the home clean and clear of clutter is vital to correctly staging a house, she said. Pinder recommends that before showing a house, put out fresh linens for the bathrooms and kitchens.

“Wet towels on a rack appear messy and can leave odors,” she said. “All garbage cans should be cleaned out. No one wants to see someone else’s trash.”

Appeal to the senses
Potential buyers not only look at a home, they also experience it. Staging a home must appeal to all of the human senses, Pinder said. It must be visually stimulating and appeal to one’s sense of smell and touch.

Odors turn away many buyers out of fear that the odor cannot be eliminated. While pets are a part of the family, it would be best to let the neighbor take care of them when potential buyers look at the home, she said. Pet odors are strong deterrents for buyers, especially if the buyer has an allergy.

Finally, buyers like to touch as they walk through the rooms. Giving the home varying fabrics and textures makes the home stand out.

Learn More
For additional information about staging a home, please visit Island Living’s Web site: www.islandlivingrealestate.com, or call them for a consultation: 1-242-322-7979/80.

About Island Living Real Estate
Island Living Real Estate has more than 25 years of experience in real estate sales and rentals throughout the Bahamas. Island Living’s main office is located in one of Nassau’s oldest historic buildings on Bay Street, named “Red Roofs.” Red Roofs was built in 1896 and has been home to various families, a Gourmet Deli and now Island Living.

We don’t just help you get the keys to your new home…We give you the keys to your new life. Welcome home!

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