Did you know that most potential homebuyers make up their mind about a property within the first five minutes of walking through the door?

Staging a home is all about creating an engaging, move-in-ready look that gives a buyer an emotional connection with the house. So when my staging partner, Tami Nasvik and I were asked to stage a luxurious lakefront condo in one of Orlando’s most sought-after locations, we were delighted to take on the project.

Attention to Detail

With over 3000 square feet of living space, this condo located on the 5th floor, has breathtaking lake views from nearly every room. But we also wanted potential buyers to soak in the expansive living areas, wood floors, and gorgeous crown molding.

Neutral warm colors and placing furniture in “friendly” configurations invites friends and family to sit and chat in areas that were previously considered formal living spaces.

Buyers are looking for a dining area that will accommodate their furniture, lifestyle, and relatives for family dinners. When staging a dining room, don’t overdo the table’s centerpiece. Here, we used some simple greenery to add a pop of color and interest.

Carmen’s Pro Staging Tip: If you plan on using an area rug under your table, bring it in first and center it under the chandelier or main light fixture.

This oversized family room spans 30 feet long with plenty of room for entertaining or enjoying the panoramic lake views. You’ll notice the room has built-in placement for a TV that can be hidden with closed doors when not in use.

Carmen’s Pro Staging Tip: If you have a TV in the family room make sure the furniture is placed so that you can actually see the screen. Many designers make the mistake of eliminating a TV when staging, but buyers want to envision where to place their own TV and furniture.

Lake Views for the Win

Who wouldn’t want to eat breakfast every morning with this view in sight? There’s no need to overdo the staging here because the view does it all. Simple settings and a centerpiece topiary give the breakfast nook table dimension and bring the kitchen area to life.

Master Bedroom

The bed is typically the focal point in any bedroom, so placement is everything. Orange is a great color (and a favorite of mine!) to accessorize with. It adds both an elegant, yet modern touch to neutrals.

Carmen’s Pro Staging Tip: Don’t put a King sized bed in a room that’s too small. I recommend a room be at least 12 feet by 9 feet to accommodate a standard King size bed. This will leave at least 30 inches of space around the bed for free movement.

Don’t Forget the Outdoors

Enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the stunning lake views.

Show potential buyers how to use every inch of the property. Here, strategically placed lounge chairs and a table make the most of a space that can sometimes be overlooked when staging a home.

Why Stage Your Home?

Even in a red-hot real estate market, staging your home gives you an advantage over other sellers.

A recent survey from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals shows that staging helps sell homes three to 30 times faster than homes that are not staged, and can help increase the sale price by up to 20% on average.

Staging a home can be as simple as moving around a few pieces of furniture to a complete overhaul, and can be done within any budget.

I’d Love to Give You a Tour!

If you’re interested in seeing this condo for a potential purchase, I’d be happy to give you a tour. It’s priced at $849,900 and won’t be on the market for long! You can reach me at (407) 743-2399 to schedule a tour or talk to me about any staging projects you might be planning.

Details on the Condo:

Luxurious lakefront living in guard gated community with a spacious open floor plan on the 5th floor. The unit enjoys plenty of natural light and breathtaking lake views from every room. It features 3 bedrooms plus an office, expansive living areas, wood floors throughout and double balconies. The kitchen is fully equipped with 42” wood cabinetry, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances, breakfast nook and sliders leading out to the balcony. This spectacular condo comes with underground parking, a storage unit, access to the community clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and fitness center. Vizcaya is within minutes to the famous Restaurant Row, is a great location to area attractions, the airport, and so much more. In the evening you have fireworks views from all the major theme parks on a nightly basis. Don’t miss the opportunity to own one of the nicest floor plans in the neighborhood.