Staging a home to sell is an important phase in the real estate process. It’s the skill of preparing a home to appeal to the widest possible spectrum of purchasers, increasing the possibility that it will sell fast and often at a higher price.
Buyers can feel more emotionally connected to a well-staged property, making it easier to imagine themselves living there.
Showcase the property’s best characteristics, reducing distractions, and creating an appealing atmosphere are the same principles whether you’re staging a luxurious home or a modest apartment.
You can use the tips and information in this guide to make your home stand out in a competitive market. It will walk you through the important dos and don’ts of staging a home to sell.
The Do’s of Staging a Home to Sell
1. Do Start with a Clean Slate
One of the first steps in staging a home is to clean it thoroughly. An immaculate house conveys well-maintainedness and is more welcoming.
A) Declutter and Depersonalize
Remove personal belongings such as family photos, memorabilia, and collections. Decluttering gives rooms a bigger appearance and lets potential buyers see their possessions in the house. Any extra furniture and objects that aren’t needed in the room should be removed.
B) Deep Clean Every Room
Make sure every space is spotless, from the floors to the ceiling. Buyers typically examine bathrooms and kitchens more attentively, so pay close attention to these spaces. A clean house gives off a more inviting, move-in-ready vibe.
2. Do Highlight the Home’s Best Features
Determine and highlight your home’s best features. This may be an expansive lawn, an elegant fireplace, or a roomy kitchen.
A) Use Lighting Strategically
For effective real estate staging, lighting is important. To make the most of natural light, open the curtains and blinds. To make spaces appear brighter and cozier, add lamps or other lighting fixtures. If you want a brilliant, energy-efficient light, think about choosing LED bulbs.
B) Arrange Furniture to Showcase Space
The way furniture is arranged can significantly affect how roomy and useful a space looks. Organize the furniture such that it highlights the room’s best qualities and flows naturally. For instance, arrange a reading nook by a large window or face a fireplace with a couch.
C) Choose Neutral Colors
Choose neutral colors for your décor and paint choices. A blank canvas made of neutral colors appeals to a broad spectrum of consumers. It lets people envision their aesthetic in the room without being shaped by their preferences.
3. Do Consider Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers observe, so it’s important to make a great first impression.
A) Maintain the Lawn and Landscaping
Maintain a neat lawn and trim any overgrown trees or bushes. To bring color and brightness to flower beds, add fresh mulch and plant seasonal flowers. A well-kept yard adds to the overall appearance of the house.
B) Refresh the Exterior
Consider power washing the outside of your house, including the road, walkways, and siding. If the front door and shutters are worn, repaint them. Adding a new welcome mat and some potted plants can also make the entrance appealing.
C) Upgrade Outdoor Spaces
Make sure your home’s patio, deck, or balcony is clean and furnished with outdoor furniture. Especially in warmer climates where buyers may spend a lot of time outside, designing a welcoming outdoor living space can be a huge selling feature.
4. Do Opt for Virtual Home Staging
Virtual home staging can be a useful and affordable approach to present your unoccupied house if you’re selling it.
A) Use Professional Virtual Staging Services
Virtual home staging involves digitally adding furniture and décor to photos of an empty home. This eliminates the cost and inconvenience of actual staging and offers purchasers a greater idea of the space’s possibilities. Expert services guarantee that the virtual furniture matches the style of the house and looks authentic.
B) Appeal to Different Tastes
One good thing about the virtual stage is that it lets you make different styles for different parties. One way to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers is to stage one room in a modern style and another in a more traditional style.
The Don’ts of Staging a Home to Sell
1. Don’t Overcrowd Rooms
It’s important to fill each room with furniture, but don’t make it too crowded by putting too much or too big of a piece in there.
A) Keep it Simple
Less is often more when it comes to staging homes for real estate. Select a few focal pieces of furniture that balance the room’s dimensions and aesthetic. This enables purchasers to concentrate on the elements of the room rather than the furniture.
B) Avoid Blocking Pathways
Make sure the room has enough area for you to walk about comfortably. Each space should be easy for buyers to navigate through without encountering any barriers. A home with a clean and open plan seems more comfortable and welcoming.
2. Don’t Ignore Repairs
A home’s appearance can be significantly impacted by minor repairs. Ignoring these can lead to buyers questioning the overall condition of the property.
A) Fix Visible Issues
Take care of any apparent issues, like scuffed walls, cracked tiles, and leaky faucets. Even though they might not look like much, they can create the impression that the house hasn’t been well-kept. A well-maintained house reassures potential purchasers and may save price haggling down the road.
B) Update Outdated Fixtures
Think about replacing old faucets, cabinet hardware, and light fixtures. Without making a significant financial commitment, these little adjustments can modernize a room and give it a clean, new look.
3. Don’t Neglect the Details
Though it’s simple to ignore the little things in favor of the bigger picture, these can have a tremendous influence on how people view your house.
A) Avoid Over-Personalization
While adding personality to a space is crucial, take care not to go overboard. Bright hues, strange artwork, or excessively sentimental objects may divert customers. Aim for a balance that is both cozy and impartial enough to appeal to a broad range of preferences.
B) Be Mindful of Scents
Strong smells, such as those from air fresheners, food, or pets, may turn off potential buyers. Make sure the house smells clean and fresh, but stay away from strong aromas. Use mild, calming scents like lavender or vanilla, or just open the windows to let in some fresh air.
4. Don’t Forget About Virtual Staging
You may be losing out on purchasers who go through internet listings if you are only depending on in-person viewings.
a) Don’t Use Low-Quality Photos
No matter if you use virtual staging or not, your web listings need to have high-quality photos. Poor-quality photos can detract from the appeal of a house and make a buyer choose not to view your ad. Make a professional photoshoot investment to make sure your house appears its best online.
b) Don’t Overlook Virtual Tours
In the current digital era, a lot of buyers begin their internet home hunt. Even before they pay a visit in person, offering a virtual tour can help purchasers get a better idea of the design and flow of the house. Those with busy schedules or customers from out of town may find this to be especially crucial.
Additional Tips for Successful Home Staging
1. Create a Cohesive Style
When staging your home, aim for a cohesive style throughout the house. There shouldn’t be a strict order in the rooms, but there should be a smooth flow from one to the next. A setting that is harmonic, well-planned, and welcoming can be achieved with the support of a consistent style.
2. Focus on Key Rooms
Your home’s rooms don’t all require the same degree of staging. Pay special attention to the areas that matter most to buyers, like the kitchen, master bedroom, and living room. Buyers will often spend the most time in these areas, so present them in the best possible way.
3. Add a Touch of Luxury
If you’re engaging in luxury home staging, consider adding a few high-end touches that convey a sense of elegance and sophistication. Simple changes like fresh flowers in the living room, luxurious bedding in the master bedroom, and fluffy towels in the bathroom could accomplish this.
4. Keep Seasonal Décor to a Minimum
Although it may be tempting to decorate for the holidays, overdoing it might make your property appear dated and divert potential buyers’ attention away from the actual house. Stick to neutral decorations and avoid anything too specific to a particular time of year.
5. Stage for Your Target Market
Consider who your potential clients are and stage accordingly. For instance, focus on designing areas that appeal to both parents and kids if your house is located in a neighborhood that values families.
When staging a downtown property for sale, keep a young professional in mind and choose contemporary, streamlined furnishings.
Conclusion
Staging a home to sell is both an art and a science. You may create a friendly and appealing environment that draws potential buyers and helps you sell your house more quickly and for a higher price by adhering to these dos and don’ts.
The objective is the same whether you want to stage your house traditionally or virtually: to highlight its greatest qualities and make it as simple as possible for potential buyers to see themselves living there.
Recall that effective staging aims to give the right buyer the impression that the house feels like home, not merely that it looks nice.
FAQs
1. Why is staging important when selling a home?
Staging helps a home sell faster and often at a higher price by making it more appealing and helping buyers visualize themselves living there.
2. What are the key steps in staging a home?
Key steps include cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing, highlighting the home’s best features, and enhancing curb appeal.
3. Should I stage my home if it’s vacant?
Yes, staging a vacant home, either physically or through virtual staging, can help buyers see its potential and imagine how they could use the space.
4. Should I stage all the rooms in my home?
Focus on key rooms like the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom, as these are the areas most important to buyers.
5. What should I avoid when using seasonal décor in staging?
Avoid overusing seasonal décor as it can distract buyers and date your listing.
