Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale. It’s about making the house look its best so that potential buyers can see it at its full potential. Staging is not about personal taste or style; it’s about creating an environment that is appealing to the widest possible range of buyers.
Plus, a properly staged home can help open house events go by smoothly and more effectively, meaning less effort on your part when it comes to showings. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about staging a home for a quick sale, why it is important, how to do each area yourself, and when to call in the professionals.
Is it Better to Sell a House Empty or Staged?
The answer to this question is definitive: staging your home will help you sell it faster and for more money. By staging the home, you are utilizing psychology to help buyers envision the results of their purchase.
When a house is empty, potential buyers have trouble envisioning what the space could be used for. An empty room can feel small, cramped, or even cavernous; a well-staged room feels warm and inviting.
In addition, an empty house often comes across as being neglected or not well-cared for. A staged home, on the other hand, is a sign that the seller has taken the time and effort to present the property in its best light.
Do Homes Sell Faster When Staged?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. In most cases, a staged home will sell faster than an unstaged home. This is because potential buyers are able to see the true potential of the property when it is properly staged.
If there is a lot of personal clutter, furniture, or décor in the way, it can be difficult for buyers to envision the property as their own. By removing these items, you are giving buyers a clean slate to work with.
What is the Fastest Way to Stage a House for Sale?
The best way to stage a house for sale is to hire a professional stager. Professional stagers are experts at creating an inviting and appealing space that will appeal to the widest range of buyers.
To help you speed up the process, use FastExpert to search for a local agent who can help you expertly stage your home!
How Do I Stage My House Myself?
If you are staging the home yourself, there are a few things you can do to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible:
- Declutter – Clutter is your enemy. The first step in staging your home is to declutter every room. This means getting rid of any personal items, knick-knacks, and excess furniture. The goal is to make each room look as spacious and open as possible.
- Deep Clean – Once you have decluttered the house, it’s time for a deep clean. This means cleaning the floors, carpets, windows, and walls. In each room, try to create a blank canvas that buyers can envision adding their own personal touch to.
- Furnish Strategically – When furnishing each room, think about how you can make the space look its best. This might mean rearranging furniture or even removing some pieces altogether. The goal is to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing.
- Add Some Curb Appeal – First impressions matter, so make sure your home’s exterior is up to par. This means mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, and adding some fresh flowers. You want potential buyers to see your home as a welcoming oasis before they even step foot inside.
When Should I Call in the Professionals?
If you are unsure about how to stage your home, or if you simply don’t have the time, it might be best to call in the professionals. Professional stagers are experts at creating an inviting and appealing space that will appeal to the widest range of buyers.
Step-By-Step Guide to Staging Your Home
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to dive deep into the step-by-step instructions for staging your home. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a quick and profitable sale!
1. Plan Your Strategy
Trust us. If you don’t make a solid plan before you start, you could very well find yourself over budget and behind schedule. Before you do anything, sit down and map out your game plan.
Start by creating a budget. How much money are you willing to spend on staging? Once you have a number in mind, start shopping for furniture and décor that fits both the desired aesthetic and your budget.
If you’re working with a professional stager, be sure to ask for quotes from several different companies. This will help you compare rates and find the best deal.
Also, be sure to make a map of your home, both indoors and outdoors. This will help you keep track of what needs to be done in each space. As you complete each task, check it off your list so you can easily see your progress.
A map of the project can also help you visualize how to accomplish the later steps such as arranging furniture strategically, bringing light into the space, and more.
2. Declutter Every Room
The first step in staging your home is to declutter every room. This means getting rid of any personal items, knick-knacks, and excess furniture. The goal is to make each room look as spacious and open as possible.
If you’re having trouble deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, think about what you would want to see if you were buying the house. Would you want to see someone else’s family photos on the walls? Probably not. Would you want to see a cluttered bookshelf full of knick-knacks? Again, probably not.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and remove it from the home. You can always put items into storage until after the sale.
3. Deep Clean Every Room
Once you have decluttered the house, it’s time for a deep clean. This means cleaning the floors, carpets, windows, air ducts, and walls. In each room, try to create a blank canvas that buyers can envision adding their own personal touch to.
If you don’t have the time or energy to deep clean the house yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. This is an investment that will pay off in the long run, trust us.
4. Furnish Strategically
When furnishing each room, think about how you can make the space look its best. This might mean rearranging furniture or even removing some pieces altogether. The goal is to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing.
In the living room, for example, you might want to move the sofa away from the wall to create a more inviting conversation area. In the bedroom, you might want to remove excess furniture to make the space look larger. And in the kitchen, you might want to clear off the counters to create more prep space.
The key is to use each room’s natural layout to your advantage. If you’re not sure how to arrange the furniture, there are plenty of online guides and articles that can help.
5. Consider Repairs & Renovations
Even small repairs and renovations can have a huge impact on the selling price. To maximize ROI, look for high-value repairs such as replacing the flooring, windows, countertops, and painting. All repairs can be used as positive talking points throughout the marketing & negotiation processes.
6. Add Some Greenery
One of the easiest ways to add life to a room is to add some greenery. A few strategically placed plants can go a long way in making a space feel more inviting and comfortable.
In the living room, for example, you might want to place a plant near the entryway or in the corner of the room. In the kitchen, you might want to put a plant on the windowsill or in front of the sink. And in the bathroom, you might want to place a plant near the tub or shower.
7. Brighten Up the Space
Another easy way to add life to a room is to brighten up the space. This might mean adding additional light fixtures, opening up the curtains or blinds, or painting the walls a lighter color.
In each room, try to create a bright and airy space that buyers will feel comfortable in. This will make the house more inviting and help it show better.
8. Add Some Impersonal-Personal Touches
You don’t want the home to be entirely devoid of personal touches. If it is too sterile, it will feel cold and uninviting. But you also don’t want to overwhelm buyers with too many personal items.
A good rule of thumb is to add a few impersonal-personal touches to each room. This might mean placing a vase of flowers on the kitchen table, setting the places for a meal, or hanging a set of towels in the bathroom.
9. Stage the Outside of the House
Don’t forget about the outside of the house! First impressions matter and you want buyers to be impressed from the moment they pull up to the property.
To stage the outside of the house, start by cleaning up any debris or clutter. This might mean raking up leaves, trimming the hedges, or sweeping the front porch.
Then, take a look at the landscaping and see if there are any easy improvements you can make. This might mean adding some flowers or plants, spreading mulch, or pulling up weeds.
Finally, consider making any necessary repairs, such as fixing a broken fence or painting the front door.
What Not to do When Staging a House for Sale
Ok, you have the best practices down. But, there are also a few things you should avoid doing when staging a house for sale. Here are a few of the most common mistakes:
1. Don’t Over-Stage
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is over-staging the house. This means filling every nook and cranny with furniture, decorations, and personal items.
Not only is this excessive, but it can also make the house feel small and cramped. Buyers won’t be able to see the potential in the property and they’ll have a hard time imagining themselves living there.
2. Don’t Use Old or Damaged Furniture
Another mistake you want to avoid is using old or damaged furniture. This furniture will make the house look dated and it will give buyers the impression that you didn’t take care of the property.
Instead, use newer or more modern furniture that is in good condition. This will make the house look its best and it will help it show better.
3. Don’t Neglect the Closets
One of the most common mistakes people make when staging a house is neglecting the closets. They think that as long as the rooms look good, buyers won’t care about the closets.
But the truth is that buyers do care about the closets! They want to see that there is plenty of storage space and they want to know that their belongings will fit.
So, take the time to declutter and organize the closets before showings. This will make a good impression on buyers and it could even help you sell the house faster.
4. Don’t Forget About the Details
The details are important! When staging a house for sale, don’t forget about the small things. This might include replacing burned-out light bulbs, fixing broken door knobs, or cleaning the windows.
These details may seem minor, but they can make a big difference in how the house shows. So, take the time to take care of the details and your house will show better as a result.
5. Don’t Ignore the Odors
Another mistake people make is ignoring the odors in the house. They think that as long as the house looks good, buyers won’t care about the way it smells.
But the truth is that odors are important! Buyers will notice the way the house smells and it could make a big difference in their opinion of the property.
So, make sure to take care of any odors before showings. This might mean cooking dinner before buyers come over or placing bowls of baking soda around the house.
The Best Way to Sell Your Home Fast
When it comes to staging a house for sale, there are a few things you should do and a few things you should avoid doing. By following these tips, you can stage your house in a way that will impress buyers and help you sell the property fast.
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If you’re thinking about selling your home, we can help! With FastExpert, you can see agent reviews, bios, recent sales, and more. So, what are you waiting for? Get started right now!
