Home Staging

How much of an impact staging has on home sale price is a hotly debated topic within real estate. According to a recent survey of National Association of REALTORS® members:

• 58 percent of buyers’ agents believe staging makes a home more attractive to most buyers most of the time
• 31 percent of buyers’ agents thought staging has some effect on buyers sometimes, but not always
• 81 percent said home staging makes it easier for prospective homebuyers to visualize the property as their future home
• 20 percent said staging increased the dollar value of offers by one to five percent

According to the survey, sellers’ agents who do stage homes spent an average of $400 to personally stage homes or spent $600 on average for a professional staging service. That investment may be more than worth it if it results in a one to five percent increase in sale price.

Declutter – Especially Personalized Decorations

Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of staging is to enable prospective homebuyers to picture themselves living in the space. Having pictures of your family, personalized decorations or memorabilia on end tables, shelves or walls can make it harder for home shoppers to visualize their own life there. Simplifying decorations and furniture can also make the space feel open and larger.

Deep Clean

Maybe the most important aspect of staging – and a step you should take even if you’re not fully staging your home – is deep cleaning prior to showing. It is one of the least expensive pre-sale improvements that can have a real and significant impact both on offers and the speed of sale.

If time is limited and you need to prioritize your cleaning effort, focus on the high-traffic areas and spaces where cleanliness and sanitation are most important, like the bathrooms and kitchen.

Tweak Layout and Furniture Placement

If your house has some small rooms, consider removing any large furniture pieces that make the room look cramped. Rearrange furniture to improve flow and room function. You don’t have to keep your furniture in that configuration once showings are finished, but moving pieces temporarily before home buyers visit for a walk-through can be beneficial and doesn’t cost you anything.

Repair Obvious Problems

Leaky faucets, scratched paint, burned-out light bulbs, damaged drywall and other minor blemishes can add up and give the impression that the home is in disrepair, which may negatively affect offers. Many little aesthetic or functionality repairs can be performed at a low cost and can give potential buyers the impression that your home is well cared for and in good working order.

Interior Paint

Whether you should pay for full-home interior repainting depends on your budget and whether your real estate agent believes there will be a return on the investment. It’s most useful if the interior hasn’t been painted in a long time, the paint is damaged or the color is outdated. If you paint walls inside your home, choose neutral colors, as they’re most likely to appeal to the broadest range of home buyers. This also allows people viewing your home to focus on the space rather than being distracted by a bold color choice.

Optimize Lighting

People like natural light for a variety of reasons. It doesn’t require electricity, efficiently transfers heat indoors in the winter months, enhances the functionality and warmth of spaces and is a great source of vitamin D. Natural light is great from an interior design perspective because it makes rooms look bigger and more open. Be sure to leave curtains or blinds open during showings to maximize natural light in the rooms being viewed.

Even interior rooms or those that lack great natural light should still be well-lit during showings. Turn on ambient lighting, overhead lighting or task lighting to emphasize the openness and functionality of spaces.

Warm and Inviting Textiles

Furniture is one of the most important attributes of a staged home – not because the furniture is being sold with the house but because its presence will make it easier for buyers to envision their own furniture and belongings in the space. You can imbue rooms with an inviting coziness by displaying neutral-colored area rugs, blankets and throw pillows made from textiles that exude warmth.

Leave Your Pets With Friends or Family

Pets can be disruptive, shed fur and make a mess. While they may add character to your life and home, they tend to be a distraction during showings and can be problematic if browsing home shoppers have allergies. Some pets also have a tendency to claw furniture and tear things up, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to give the best impression.

Get Advice and Help Showing Your Home

The real estate professionals at 72SOLD have open houses and showings down to a science. Our rigorous process is designed to get you great offers in eight days or less, meaning you don’t have to leave your home on the market and open to walk-throughs for weeks or months. We keep open houses limited to minimize the disruption to your life.

Home sellers who use 72SOLD can put concerns about staging behind them because it’s just another aspect of the home selling process we can take off your hands.