Clean, Mean, and Oh So Green

One of the latest trends in home staging (preparing a property to get a quicker sale and the best possible price) is to include eco-friendly practices.
“Introducing green staging elements plays into my overall objectives of presenting a clean, organized, and functional house,” says Nancy Matchen, a real estate broker and professional stager (IAHSP) who lives in Ossining. Staging, according to Matchen, involves removing the owner’s tastes so prospective buyers can mentally move in. “I look at the home from the eyes of the buyer. In a matter of seconds a buyer decides if he or she likes a given house. A misplaced piece of furniture or a showy paint color can immediately turn someone off.”
Matchen says initially most of her staging clients don’t ask about eco-friendly staging. “But then I suggest some things and they understand and are agreeable.”

Matchen’s Eco-Friendly Staging Tips

Bag That Carpet
“Lots of buyers are concerned about allergies. Old carpets are full of chemicals, toxins, and allergens. The carpet should be removed and replaced with a natural carpet such as jute, bamboo, or grasscloth (woven seagrass). Another option is to put down a natural wood floor made of bamboo or cork.”

Stripping Isn’t Just For Bachelor Parties
“Old wallpaper and the paste must be removed. Moisture gets underneath, particularly in bathrooms, where mold is likely to develop. If there is a mold issue, it must be remedied. As decorating advice, I recommend not to re-wallpaper as it’s a very personal thing. Instead paint the room using non-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint brand such as Benjamin Moore Aura. If the seller insists on wallpapering, I suggest using recycled wallpaper.”

Brady Bunch Décor Has Not Been Stylish For 30 Years
“Remove and replace dated kitchen cabinets. Recycle those cabinets!” Call Green Demolitions in Norwalk, Connecticut, at (203) 354-7355.

Don’t Pass this Gas
“If you have large rocks jutting up from your basement floor and little or no ventilation, you may have a radon problem. I suggest hiring an inspector to do a radon test. Don’t ignore this potential problem as it is likely to become an issue at buyer’s inspection.”

Be A Good Heart
“Any furniture surplus should not be thrown away. Donate any pieces that clutter your home.” Try the Cherry Door Thrift Shop in Tarrytown at (914) 631-0470.

Break Out The Watering Can
“Remove artificial plants and flowers replace with live plants.”

It’s Only Natural
“Any new bedding, towels, rugs, or curtains bought for green staging purposes should be made of natural fibers like cottons and silks. Target has nice selections. They only cost approximately ten to fifteen percent more than acrylics.”

A Chemical Free Home is A Green Home
“The garage and basement are often full of paints, garden sprays, and other chemical-laden products that need to be disposed of.” Find out via the Westchester County Household Chemical Info line (914-813-5425) about proper disposal. Or go to westchestergov.com to see when the County holds the next Household Chemical Clean-Up Day.

Squeaky Green
“My staging fee includes cleaning dirty surfaces, removing pet stains, as well as getting rid of odors. Seventh Generation is the brand of green cleaning products I use. They are available at Mrs. Green's, Whole Foods, and Target.”

For more information about home staging and green practices, go to nancymatchen.com or call (914) 671-5045. Depending on the size of house and what needs to done, Matchen’s fee is between $500-$2,000.