The In’s and Out’s of Home Staging

You have most likely seen gorgeous photos of homes in magazines and on TV. While they may spark envy, remember that they are all staged. With time and effort, your home can look its best! When selling your home, you want to ensure it looks appealing for potential buyers. Sometimes, all it takes is organizing, whereas other homes might need a little work.

What Is Home Staging?

Simply put, staging is the process of preparing your home for potential buyers. The goal is to show off a move-in ready home that sparks an emotional connection between a potential buyer and the property.  Staging can ensure buyers are captivated the moment they walk in, which makes them more likely to make an offer. Staging can also help to increase a property’s value by showcasing its potential and why it is worth the listed price. By redecorating and decluttering, you can make your home look its best. The overall purpose is to make the home more appealing so potential buyers can visualize your home as their own.

Options for Home Staging

DIY: First impressions matter, so start with curb appeal. Some upgrades can be completed during the evening or over the weekend. A few suggestions:

• Pressure wash to remove dirt and grime from driveway, siding, and gutters
• Re-paint the front door and/or shutters
• Replace old house numbers and mailboxes
• Clean up flowerbeds and lay fresh mulch
• Consider touching up the walls, adding new throw pillows
• Remove personal photos
• If your porch has room for furniture, consider adding a couple of chairs to expand your outdoor living space

Additionally, adding small touches like fresh flowers and a welcome mat can make the home feel even more inviting.

Your Real Estate Agent: Many real estate agents strongly believe that staging your home will improve its ability to sell. In turn, they will help their clients prepare the home before photography and listing on the market. While some agents might only provide recommendations, others will get hands-on during the staging process. Some may even have décor items to share with you. 

Professional Stagers: If you are looking for a hands-off way to stage your home, consider a professional stager or staging company. The best home stagers have one goal in mind: to improve the aesthetics of the home to increase buyer interest. Although these pros come with a fee, they are experts in the field and often have design and decorating experience. They will evaluate your home and make recommendations on how to improve its overall appeal. 

Overall, staging will help potential buyers visualize the home as their own. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire professional help, staging has a tremendous influence on a potential buyer’s decision to view and make an offer on a property. By highlighting your home’s best features and depersonalizing the space, potential buyers can develop an emotional attachment and personal connection to the property. If buyers can see themselves living there, they will feel good about investing.