How to Stage a Home Before Selling
Just about any person that puts their home on the market is hoping to get the highest offers possible. Even in a seller’s market, it’s important to display your home in the best light possible. You want to entice a would-be buyer with your home’s potential. One way to do so is to stage your home before putting it on the market. Here’s how.
What is Staging?
Staging is the process of preparing a property for sale by using flattering interior design to highlight the best qualities of a home. It is meant to flatter the existing features without making it seem inaccessible to the average buyer. The goal is to draw attention to the livability of a space, offering a perspective on what day to day life could look like there. Those who stage a home will have this advantage over someone who doesn’t keep the potential buyer’s perspective in mind.
Why is Staging Important?
Selling a home can be a difficult, arduous process. Staging can help a seller avoid settling for a low offer or staying on the market for longer than ideal. But what does staging really do to help?
Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes. They are about to make one of the biggest purchases a person can make. And at the end of the day, they’re not just looking for a structure – they’re looking for a future home. It’s important that this space is somewhere that they can see themselves making memories, fulfilling their dreams, and improving their lifestyle.
Staging works to appeal to a buyer’s emotions. If a buyer can really and truly project their life onto the blank canvas of a well-staged home, they are more likely to make a bigger offer to guarantee a chance at nailing down a deal.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that roughly 25% of buyers’ agents and 22% of sellers’ agents agree that staging a home can increase offer prices by anywhere from 1% to 5%. This is compared to similar homes that aren’t staged. The report also found that 83% of buyers’ agents have found that staging can make it easier for buyers to visualize a future in a home they’re viewing.
Tips for How to Stage Your Home
There are plenty of great strategies to keep in mind when staging a home. With the proper amount of creativity, some elbow grease, and, in some cases, a generous budget, you can transform your home into someone else’s dream!
Clean it Up
A simple clean-up can do wonders for your home. Clutter and mess elicit negative emotions in people. But a clean, organized space tends to leave a far better impression. It also displays that you have taken good care of the property. Before you get photos taken for the listing, deep clean the home. Get into the areas you don’t usually clean. Better yet, hire a professional to spruce up those problem areas.
Depersonalize Your Decor
Staging is all about providing a canvas for potential buyers to project their dreams upon. It can be more difficult for people to do so if the space feels too personalized to someone else. It’s important to remove family photos, keepsakes, refrigerator art, and anything else that will distract a potential buyer. Also, try to keep clothing and personal care items as hidden as possible. If an item in your home is too niche or individualized, it’s a good idea to put it in storage until you move to your next home.
Use What You Have
Don’t overcomplicate your staging process. You likely have a lot of good material to work with already. Your furniture and decor might be the perfect base for your greater interior design mission. If your decor is fairly in style, you don’t need to waste money buying new items. If anything, you should remove items to depersonalize the space.
Play at the Senses
Our sense of smell is tied closely to our emotions and memories. A home that smells good conjures up a flurry of feel-good happy chemicals in the brain. But a musty, stale smell isn’t going to do you any favors. Be sure your home smells great when would-be buyers stop by. Remember, candles, room sprays, and wall plug-ins are your friend.
Show Off the Square Footage
Your home has potential. But it’s not always easy to see if you’re not properly displaying it. Don’t let a single square foot of your property go unnoticed. Give every room a purpose to show the buyer what they can do with the space in your home. Rather than keeping a room empty, stage it as an office. If you have a porch, set it up as a relaxing place to lounge.
Let in the Light
A well-lit home can be the difference between someone loving your property and them turning their attention elsewhere. Lighting makes a huge difference in how a room feels. Natural lighting is always a major bonus. But if you don’t have the best natural light, add in some statement ambient lighting and be sure to have them on when potential buyers tour the space. Wall sconces, lamps, and LED strips can add depth and warmth to an otherwise bleak room.
Team Up With a Great Agent
Get in touch with a real estate agent that knows the ropes! Your agent should be able to give you some pointers on current trends and what the modern buyer is looking for. They can help you stage and even assist in picking out pieces to make your home look its best.
If you’re in the St. Augustine area, I would be happy to help you through every step of the selling process. Get in touch today to learn more!