Design Guide Online Editorial

With so many houses on the market - homeowners and real estate agents alike are on the lookout for a way to quickly move their homes, and the answer is a simple solution.... Staging, says Dallas designer Margaret Chambers, owners and principal designer of Chambers Interiors.

"A well staged home will sell two to three times faster and at a higher profit than an empty or unattractively furnished home, which is why investing in staging your home will always cost less than taking a price reduction. Here are some important questions to ask yourself when you are selling your home:"

1. Have you had potential buyers through your home, yet no offers?

2. Do other comparable homes in your neighborhood sell instead of yours?

3. Are you getting little traffic from your advertising photos?

4. Is your property vacant?

5. Have you considered lowering your asking price?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, consider a consultation with a home stager. Remember, home staging is not a licensed profession, so its important to do your homework. Ask to see a portfolio of jobs they have completed and references from their clients.

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Here's a few great tips for restaging your home...

Clean and paint the front door * Display fresh pots of flowers and maintain a well-manicured lawn

Declutter rooms and closets * Rearrange furniture and accessories

Remove outdated wallpaper * Apply a fresh coat of pain to the walls

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Three Reasons why you don't want to leave rooms empty when selling your home:

1. When a room is empty, potential buyers focus on the flaws instead of falling in love with the overall space.

2. People don't buy houses, they buy homes.

3. Most people can't visualize how furniture will layout in a room.

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Home staging is all about packaging a home to enhance it and show off its best features and downplay the flaws. It is also about romancing the buyer, putting them in the mood to get excited about buying.

About the Designer

"I feel an interior is my palette and canvas." Margaret Chambers, of Chambers Interiors, has been creating elegant interiors in Dallas for over 20 years.

Because of her experience, innate talent and studies of the classics in Europe, she exhibits a confidence in mixing different styles, techniques, and cultures. Margaret's interiors have been published in multiple magazines, solidifying her reputation for creating homes which convey style and character.

With Margaret, no two rooms are alike because she understands no two clients are alike.

Whether she's working with a clean slate or with a client who has been collecting for years, she gives a home personality. She believes in creating an ambiance which reflects the owner.

• Margaret Chambers's blog

Related terms: Accessories, Antiques, Art, Bath & Plumbing, Designers, Furniture, Kitchens, Lighting, Remodeler, Specialized Service, Window Treatments

by: Margaret Chambers