Anita Ericksen

I mentioned the below article I wrote in a previous response to a blog.

I am finding some home stagers are concerned with furniture rental companies and furniture distributors adding staging as part of the services they offer.

I believe to sell our services we must inform our clients that we offer them services above and beyond what furniture rental/distributors can offer. Their main objective is to rent furniture. Our main objective is to increase selling price and sell the home at a fast rate. There is a huge difference here.

I researched the psychology of selling a home over a year ago and published my findings in a local paper. I am sharing it with you today so all stagers can use this information to reinforce to their clients that our services include much more than renting furniture. This is great information to use in your sales pitch. Here it is:

USING PSYCHOLOGY TO PRESENT YOUR HOME Vol. 5 Art. 3

Using psychology to sell products is nothing new. It's happening constantly to all of us through radio, television and other media. Why not use psychology to sell your product, your home. You are, after all, trying to market a product for it's highest possible return. With a few simple psychological rules and tips you can make your home appeal to the vast majority of potential purchasers.

To create a feeling of harmony:

•· Bring the exterior colours of your home inside.

•· Bring nature indoors - ensure you have houseplants in the home.

To create happiness:

•· Paint your front door sunlight yellow, red, sage or forest green. All of these colours have been shown to increase positive emotions.

•· Turn on your lights. Day-like light bulbs enhance happiness. Amber and pink light
bulbs warm, while blue light bulbs cool.

To signify ownership of property:

•· Place a mirror close to the front door. This reinforces the potential purchaser's presence and signifies ownership of the home.

•· Allow potential purchasers to park in your driveway if you have an attached garage. Help them to imagine coming home after work.

•· Place cookies and bottled water in ice in the kitchen. Allow potential purchasers to help themselves and eat/drink in your kitchen. Sharing food and drink warms the heart.

Tips:

Temperature -potential purchasers feel the most comfortable when the temperature of the home is set at 70 degrees in the winter and 67 degrees in the summer.

Air out the home - ensure there are no personal smells - cut up lemons before a showing, or run them through your garbage disposal. It is both refreshing and clean smelling.

Ensure rooms are clutter free - with minimal furniture and accessories buyers can imagine their own furniture in the home much easier.

Consider paint - Always choose three colours for the exterior of the house. Two is not enough and four is too much. If you are trying to sell a higher priced home, complex colours attract wealthy buyers. If you are attempting to sell a home in the lower priced range, simple colours attract these buyers.

Environment affects our emotions. Ensure the environment you are presenting causes potential purchasers to feel connected to your home.

Anita Ericksen, Owner

Realty Showcasing Inc

©Reprinting rights available