Home Staging

Home staging is a term many people hear when preparing to put their homes on the market, but it can be difficult to understand what changes should be made to most improve the appeal of a property. The main goal of staging is to maximize the value of a home to potential buyers and shorten its time on the market. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors, a staged home is most likely to increase a property’s value by 1%-5% and can be upwards of 20%. It also states that over 60% of staged homes had a noticeable impact on reducing its time on the market.

While every property is unique and no one can guarantee an exact impact staging will have, these statistics show that as a whole home staging has greatly benefited sellers. But how does one go about staging a home? One option available is to simply hire a professional stager to handle these details, however, this can cost thousands of dollars, and can eat into the benefits staging would offer. Instead, here are some small changes homeowners can make that can have a major impact on buyers.

First impressions are important when selling a home. If a potential buyer shows up and sees a poorly maintained exterior it can set the mood when checking out the rest of the home, or even dissuade them from looking at the home altogether. Having prominent street numbers will catch a buyer’s eye and making it easier to identify the property. If your front door has cracked or peeling paint, consider giving it a fresh coat that complements the homes façade. Make sure the landscaping is free of weeds and has fresh mulch laid down. Planting colorful flowers and keeping bushes trimmed can also help make your yard stand out. If your driveway is dirty power washers can be rented at a low cost from many hardware stores and will make it look brand new. This can also be done for siding and shutters as needed.

Having curb appeal will definitely attract a buyer’s attention, but it is the interior of a home that will be its biggest selling point. The cheapest and arguably most important staging advice is to do a thorough cleaning of each room. Clean off the dust from all surfaces, steam clean carpets, wash windows and walls, and touch up any spot that looks grimy. If you can notice it buyers definitely will. Another important step is to depersonalize your home. Buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in your home. Things like photos should be stored away, and have the added benefit of making a room look less cluttered. It’s not a bad idea to rent a storage pod of asking a family member to hold some of your stuff during the home selling process. It’s easy to simply move things out of sight into closets, but buyers will want to look in every corner of a home, and having a lot of things jammed in closets will make them look smaller and can be a major turnoff. Lighting also plays an important role in showcasing a home. Ensure there are no burnt out bulbs in your home and have all the lights on during showings. Finally, consider small details that can bring a room together. For example, having a vase with fresh flowers can be both visually appealing and leave a pleasant scent in a room, and a basket of fresh fruit can add an extra splash of color to a kitchen.