House hunting

Is this a house y’all actually looked at? What was the rest of it like?

Is “staging” a selling technique used in BsAs? Ten or so years ago, it grew into a realty-adjunct business in the US, and I assume it still looms large today. Phoney, but apparently effective.

Staging? Calling in a professional to make the house appear at its best, and its most appealing to a potential buyer. Perhaps making it feel like a fabulous hotel suite rather than someplace lived in. They move out extra furniture and oversized pieces, which make rooms feel too cramped; clear kitchen counters of all clutter; rearrange artwork or change it altogether; bring in fresh area rugs when needed, get rid of shabby rugs and curtains; direct their clients to pare down closet contents to make the closets seem spacious; make sure all personal touches (family photos, Knick-knacks, cosmetics etc) are removed, to help prospective buyers better imagine themselves living there, not feeling they are invading strangers’ spaces.

We all know we should do these things when selling, but professional stagers treat houses like stage sets, and bring more skill to the final product than most of us can summon up.

Surely the house can’t be as grim as it looks in the photos?