On a recent trip to Arizona for fun I thought I’d check out some model homes to see how the Southwestern stagers handled staging for mass appeal. For the most part a majority of the model homes (and I emphasize these are nice model homes) I viewed were tastefully done. The furniture was clean lined, neutral, the accessories were abundant and updated, they all were very appealing. The homes actually made me feel like I could envision myself living in them (and that‘s the point of staging), and for a brief moment of fantasy I embraced living in the DRY consistently warm, sunny environment of Arizona - minus the rattlesnakes.
But here’s what caught my eye and I thought it was an interesting reaction. One of the model homes had a “Sea” theme throughout. Did I miss the ocean border in Arizona in my geography class? Though the main color theme was white, a great neutral, the accent colors were quite vibrant and the sea theme accessories enveloped the home. Seashells, corral, palm trees and beach accessories really distracted me from seeing true features of the home. Though memorable because of the theme, not appealing, at least not to me. Homes staged with a theme room or in whole will narrow the mass appeal. When you are staging a home for sale, remember not all prospective clients will embrace your beloved country antiques, nor the passion of your rooster collection. It’s a safe bet to keep it as neutral themed as possible, pack up your treasured collections and let your home’s features be what buyer’s remember.
