Because a strong first impression can mean the difference between success and failure, staging your property is almost a sure bet for selling it faster and for a higher price. Staging helps showcase what a property can offer — without any major renovations — to ensure that buyers see the home in the best possible light.
When staged, buyers are encouraged to pay closer attention to the "bones" of a home rather than its decorative features. When clutter, dated furniture, and personal belongings are on display, buyers judgment of the home may be clouded. Making it simpler for the buyer to perceive a space's full potential will benefit you, the seller.
A Closer Look at Staging
Buyers are aware of their needs. Buyers already know what they want in their “perfect” home before beginning their search. Without staging, a buyer may find it difficult to envision the space — and what it might become. Staging makes it easier for buyers to notice when a home does or can fit their needs.
Staging emphasizes the future rather than the current state. There is a wide range of tastes and design styles, making interior design inherently personal. A golden rule when selling: the home should always appeal more to the buyer rather than the seller. Arrange the property to have broad appeal and you’ll likely appeal to a wider audience of potential buyers, regardless of their personal tastes. Staging a home can help a buyer see your house as their future home and, in turn, increase the likelihood that they’ll want to schedule a showing after seeing your home online.
Focus on the key areas within the home. According to the NAR, the living room, primary bedroom, kitchen, and dining room are the most important rooms to stage, which enables sellers to prioritize those spaces to make the biggest impact, all while avoiding rooms that don't seem to make much of a difference.
Staging may increase a home’s value and result in fewer days on market. This may be the tipping point if you're still not sure that staging a home is important. Staging makes sense because there is nothing to lose and much space to gain. For homes with distinctive or really particular décor, this is particularly true. Similarly, there’s a lot of motivation to sell your property as quickly as you can because, the longer a home is on the market, the more difficult it may be to sell. Staged homes tend to sell more quickly and it boils down to a simple truth: staging helps purchasers in determining if they can envision living in a particular home and what the potential of the space is.
Thinking of Staging? Start With These Tasks:
De-clutter. Decluttering makes a space appear bigger and more inviting. Everything you don't use frequently should be packed and stored. And clear surfaces - counters, floors, shelving - to achieve a streamlined look. Take a minimalist approach.
De-personalize. If a buyer sees family photos of a home's current owners at every turn, it may be difficult for them to visualize their own lives in the space. Tuck away any family photos and other obviously personal items to create a blank canvas.
Clean thoroughly. Prior to putting your home on the market, perform the same thorough cleaning that you would before moving into a new house of your own. Invest in the services of a professional cleaning crew if you don't have the time or desire to do it yourself.
Complete small and potentially large fixes. Small repairs, such as patching up holes from artwork, touching up paint, and caulking should be made before the home goes to market. Larger, more significant repairs can be made to the extent feasible (time and budget-wise).
Be neutral. If your house is covered in vibrant hues or if you have a bold style, it may be worthwhile to take your staging a step further by neutralizing the room for potential buyers. Paint over walls in white, gray, beige or taupe and think about replacing bright carpets with softer tones or hardwood floors.
The present condition of the home and the market will both have a significant impact on how the level of staging required. For instance, in a buyer's market, staging can prove even more crucial for sellers to gain every competitive edge they can.
Determine whether and to what extent staging is necessary for your home by consulting with your real estate agent on how best to showcase your home to achieve the best outcome. If you are thinking of selling in the greater Boston area and are looking for guidance on whether to stage, connect with me via email [email protected] or on social media.
