In today's competitive real estate market, home staging has become an essential tool for selling properties quickly and at a reasonable price. A staged home appeals to a broad range of potential buyers. In fact, 58% of buyers' agents noted that home staging influenced most buyers' perception of the home.
What is home staging?
Home staging is the act of preparing a home for sale in the real estate marketplace by rearranging furniture, decluttering spaces, and adding tasteful decor. The objective of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money.
The significance of home staging
Home staging is important because it allows potential buyers to visualize the property as their future residence. It helps highlight the home's strengths, downplay its weaknesses, and appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers. By creating a welcoming, attractive environment, staging can make a significant difference in how a property is perceived.
Staging your home: what are the options?
You have several options when it comes to home staging. If you prefer to take the reigns, you can choose to do it yourself. If you’d rather leave it up to the professionals, you can hire an expert or even get your real estate agent involved in the process. When deciding on your options, consider your budget, time constraints, and the level of professional assistance you require.
Is DIY home staging possible?
Yes, DIY home staging is a practical and cost-effective way to improve your home's overall appeal. While it requires effort and a keen eye for design, its advantages outweigh the time and cost.
Can real estate agents assist with home staging?
Absolutely! Many real estate agents are skilled in advising clients on how best to present a property to potential buyers. They understand what appeals to buyers in your area and can offer valuable advice on maximizing your home's potential.
The role of professional home stagers
Professional home stagers are experts in creating a visually appealing environment that emphasizes the home's strengths and minimizes any weaknesses. They are skilled in arranging furniture, choosing the right accessories, and making small changes that significantly impact how the home is perceived.
The cost of home staging
Home staging costs vary widely based on factors such as the size of the home, whether furniture needs to be rented, and the level of staging required. However, keep in mind that investing in home staging can help increase your home's selling price and decrease the time it spends on the market.
Tips for affordable home staging
If you're on a budget, there are many inexpensive ways to stage your home. These include decluttering, deep cleaning, making minor repairs, depersonalizing the space, and more.
How to stage a home for listing photographs
When staging your home for photographs, you want it to look as bright, clean, and spacious as possible. This might mean removing some furniture, opening blinds and curtains to let in more light, and adding colorful accents to make the photos pop.
Expert home staging tips
These expert tips can help you stage your home effectively.
Declutter
A cluttered home can make it appear smaller and less appealing. Remove unnecessary items to make each room feel more spacious.
Deep clean
A clean home is more attractive to potential buyers. Pay extra attention to bathrooms and kitchens, which buyers tend to scrutinize.
Patch and repair
Small imperfections, like holes in the walls or cracked tiles, can be off-putting to potential buyers. Make sure to make these minor repairs before showing your home.
Depersonalize the space
Personal items can make it harder for buyers to envision themselves in your home. Store personal photos and objects out of sight.
Choose neutral colors
Bold, bright colors might not appeal to all buyers. Stick with neutral colors for walls and large pieces of furniture.
Make use of natural lighting
Natural light can make a space feel bigger and more welcoming. Open up blinds and curtains to let in as much light as possible.
Rearrange your furniture
The way your furniture is arranged can affect how spacious a room feels. Consider pulling furniture away from the walls and using fewer pieces.
Make sure rooms are well-defined
Each room should have a clear purpose. This makes it easier for buyers to imagine how they would use the space.
Improve curb appeal
First impressions matter. Make sure the outside of your home is as attractive as the inside.
Staging a home: what not to do
While staging a home, avoid making the space seem too personal or cluttered. Also, don't ignore the outside of your home — curb appeal is just as important as the interior.
Frequently asked questions about home staging
What happens to furniture after staging?
In most cases, staging furniture is rented for the duration of the listing and then returned to the rental company.
Is it better to sell a house empty or staged?
Staged homes often sell quicker and for more money than empty homes. Staging helps potential buyers visualize themselves living in the house.
Should you set the table when staging a home?
Yes, setting the table can make the dining room look more inviting and give the impression of a home ready for entertaining.
What is the difference between home staging and interior design?
Home staging is about selling the home, while interior design is about living in it. Staging aims to make a home appeal to a broad range of buyers, while interior design is about personalizing a space to fit the homeowner's tastes.
Prepare your home for sale with Theresa Lee
With a rich experience of 15 years in the real estate industry, Theresa Lee is a skilled advocate for buyers and sellers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. If you're looking to buy or sell a home, want more information on DIY home staging tips, or have any questions about the New Jersey real estate market, contact Theresa Lee today.
