By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Richard and Norma Wade had their house on and off the market for two years without finding a buyer. Then Judy Martin, a professional stager, came in. Six days later, the house sold.

“It almost sounds miraculous,” Norma Wade says.

Little things make big difference
In a conservative housing market, little things like staging can help sell your house quickly and for the most money possible, Martin says. And while the Dallas/Ft. Worth area’s market is relatively robust compared with other parts of the country, it never hurts to make your house as attractive you can—especially to younger buyers.

“You have to set the stage to reach the most potential buyers,” Martin says. “You are selling a house, not your home.”

Martin says that staging often involves simple adjustments, like moving a piece of furniture or adding color to a room. But she adds that it’s those small changes which can make a huge difference.

Consultants take pressure off
“You get used to your stuff, so it’s useful to have new eyes looking at your belongings,” Martin says.

The Wades found Martin thanks to Gail Wrzesinski, Highland Springs’ personal moving consultant. Wrzesinski’s job is to help prospective residents of Highland Springs move. She goes to their houses for a free consultation and  then helps them step by step through the moving process, whether it involves finding a reliable real estate agent, a trusted repairman, or a stager like Martin.

“We are going to do whatever we have to do to make it an easier transition, because this is such a big step for people,” Wrzesinski says. “By helping with things like finding a stager, it takes some of the pressure and some of the stress off and lets people know that we really do care and we are going to be here every step of the way, helping them move to Highland Springs.”