We’ve got a special guest this week for the Grey Duck Blog! Becca Schwartzbauer, owner of Grey Duck Staging & Design, is here to give us some information on staging your home to sell and why it’s important. After seven years in the biz and hundreds of homes staged, she’s become quite the expert on all things staging!

Becca Schwartzbauer

Owner and operator of Grey Duck Staging & Design.

1. What are some common mistakes people make when trying to stage their homes themselves?

The common mistakes are that they can declutter so much so that it exposes over-sized pieces of furniture, meaning: where did all your throw pillows go? Where are the splashes of color to add depth? I also think that people don’t realize large artwork and family photos are a good thing to keep around, because they help balance the scale of the walls to help the viewer see how big the room is.

2. What should people do to prepare for staging?

Call me! But seriously, cleaning and updating lighting fixtures and bulbs reduces negative distractions for buyers. Taking down window treatments, removing screens and washing the windows makes a huge difference because light is so important for photos!

3. What are some of your favorite places you've staged?

Recently i’ve been in love with super small spaces, there is a lot more creativity that goes into the design. It gives me a challenge to resolve any issues buyers may have with function, layout, and storage.

4. What is the most important reason to stage?

Staging provides an immediate transformation of a space, it updates and makes it feel more expensive without having to do those expensive updates. This increases appeal allowing sellers to get more traffic in the property and thus more money for their home!

5. How do you stay on top of trends?

By owning all of my own inventory, I’ve had the opportunity to sell it to many buyers because what I choose fits their space so well. This gives me a chance to turn my inventory over and buy fresh. I think it’s important to keep my finger on the pulse, so I closely watch furniture markets and attend conferences to stay connected.

6. What are some new trends?

In todays market we are getting away from ‘over stuffed’ and puffy pieces of upholstered furniture and more sleek, geometrical shapes are everywhere. We are also seeing lots of hairpin legs, lighter colors, and mid-century modern and vintage looks are really on trend. Floor pillows and poofs are coming out along with more practical and livable items, even in the high end market.

7. Is there a favorite style you like to use as a basis for your design in homes?

I am loving a modern farmhouse vibe, but that is not always appropriate for the homes that I stage. It is important to be on trend, but also aware of what is size and style appropriate for different properties.

8. What’s the best curb appeal advice you’d give to someone thinking about selling their home?

I notice a front door, first and foremost. Landscaping is a very close second. Make sure that we can see your house and cut back over grown shrubs and trees. Anything that impedes the walkway and makes the buyer duck to get through is a big no-no!

According to The National Association of Realtors (NAR), 40% of buyers’ agents cited that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home and 83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. One-quarter of buyers’ agents said that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between one and five percent, compared to other similar homes on the market that are not staged.

Staging can help potential homeowners visualize themselves in the home and show how space can be used in an effective way for smaller or oddly shaped rooms. Check out the Grey Duck Staging & Design page for more information! And check out the photos below for some awesome examples of how staging can transform a space!