Esposito might recommend covering a tired old sofa with a nice throw, purchasing neutral bedding—used only for showings—and a bin or bag with fresh towels. “The idea is to set up a system so it’s easy for the seller,” she said. In the kitchen, she recommends not only removing all appliances but also putting “icky factors,” such as the greasy toaster oven and coffee maker, into a cabinet just before the showing and putting out a bowl of fruit or leafy plant. In the bathroom, remove toilet-bowl brushes, scatter rugs, and cutesy items—like a kiddie fish-patterned shower curtain. “All you need is nice towels and a decorative pump” for soap, she said.
“The house has to look well cared for. Potential buyers like to think ‘this is a detail person,’ perhaps because the same colors are used throughout the house. When everything’s fresh, they think ‘we don’t have to worry about the roof or the electrical,’” she said. “But if they see icky factors, like stuff all over the counters, they’ll think, ‘they couldn’t even clean up the sink.’” If the kitchen doesn’t have the latest appliances, that’s okay, as long as it looks respectful (it goes without saying the inside of the fridge should be clean.) However, if it’s a high-end kitchen in which everything is stainless steel except the dishwasher, she recommends getting a new stainless steel one, to avoid a jarring disconnect.
It isn’t always necessary to stage the full house, said Esposito; just the most important areas—where the family relaxes and enjoys a meal together and where each member sleeps. If the house appeals to families, sometimes she’ll put a table and chair in a third bedroom and stock it with a few toys to keep the potential buyers’ children entertained.
Esposito has several storage units filled with furniture and accessories, which are showcased on her website, www.housesetters.com. She’ll rent clients an accessories kit, if needed, which usually costs $100 or less a month. She also has multiple couches, tables, chairs, etc. which can be rented out for vacant houses. Including moving, the cost for renting furniture for four months is about $2,000, she said. Occasionally, she’ll have to source out an item.
Even though staging is about “creating a product for the marketplace,” she added that on occasion “people will want me to help them set up their new house” (which she doesn’t do). What might seem to start out being a painful process ends up actually being kind of fun, if not downright inspirational.
