Real estate agents refer to staging your property as a way of getting it ready for the real estate market. Staging is a way to show off a home’s most essential assets and impress buyers. It can also help you sell your property quickly and for the best price.

You’ll have an edge if you stage your home, as not all sellers do. Here’s how.

What is staging?

Staging is one of the most important steps to selling a house. Sound staging is a form of visual merchandise that draws upon some of the fundamentals of interior design. Staging is about flattering the property without being too obvious, such as dressing in a way that doesn’t draw attention to your clothes.

Decorating is not the same thing as home staging. Decorating is all about personal style. Staging your home should make it appealing to the most significant number of potential buyers.

Staging is appropriately done and allows buyers to imagine themselves in the home. It shows off the best features of the house and hides its weaknesses. It creates a mood, which stagers call “emotional staging,” and improves the home’s appearance in photos.

Why is home staging necessary?

You don’t want to settle on a lower price or a more extended marketing period when dealing with a significant financial transaction like selling a home.

Staging is a lucrative project, especially considering the time and cost involved. Prospective buyers don’t just want a place to live; they also wish for a position to help them realize their dreams and make a difference in their lives. Staging can make a buyer feel more connected to the property, resulting in a faster sale.

Staging helps potential buyers focus on the benefits of the home instead of looking at the problems. This is the goal of staging your home since buyers will subtract the cost of any issues they find from the price they offer. They may not buy the house if they see too many problems.

How staging affects the time on market time and price

NAR’s 2021 Profile of Home Staging shows that 47% of agents representing buyers said staging had affected their view of a property.

According to the report, 82% of agents who represent buyers said staging helps buyers visualize their homes and make them more appealing. This can increase home sales. The report also found that staging the living area was important for 46% of buyers. Next came the master bedroom at 43% and then the kitchen at 35%.

This has seen a shift in the buying and selling process. DIY staging is becoming more popular than hiring a professional to stage their home. Staging is still an important tool, as a staged home looks better in photos and most buyers start searching for homes for sale online.

12 Tips for staging your home

According to NAR, the most commonly staged rooms are the living room (93%), the kitchen (84%), the owner’s bedroom (78%), the dining room (72%), and the kitchen (74%).

The staging level you choose for your home will depend on your available time and money. Use the following techniques in all rooms of your house.

1. Clean the home thoroughly

Well-cleaned homes show potential buyers you have taken care of the property. You should clean all home areas, including the floors and ceilings.

Make sure you clean appliances in your kitchen to make them shine. Also, ensure your bathrooms sparkle from the corners to the drain to the spot behind the toilet that no one can see. You should aim to make everything appear new.

2. Declutter

Two major problems are caused by clutter. It distracts potential buyers from the home’s best features. It makes the house appear smaller.

It’s time to eliminate any items you no longer use daily, such as expired food and clothes that your children have outgrown: the empty storage space you have, the better.

3. Depersonalize

Buyers must be able to see themselves in their homes. Take away family photos, keepsakes, refrigerator art, and other personal items. Put clothes away and empty the bathrooms (except for soap and toilet paper). Get rid of toys and other private or evocative items to the current residents.

4. Freshen up

Potted plants can make your home look fresh and welcoming. If you have many plants, ensure there are not too many in one place.

You can also get rid of unpleasant odors to freshen up your home. Your home can smell from pets, children, the last dinner, or damp bathrooms. Baking cinnamon-coated cookies or apples in the oven can be inexpensive to rid your home of unpleasant odors. Burning some scented candles can help as well.

Essential oils can be mixed with one cup of water and eight to ten drops of oil in spray bottles and sprayed toward the center of each space or dispersed with a diffuser. You can also use herbs, flowers, and air purifiers to freshen your home.

Don’t forget about the trash!

5. Define the rooms

Each room should have a clear purpose, allowing buyers to see the potential for maximizing their home’s square footage. You can transform a basement into an entertainment area or a junk room into a guest room.

Even if they don’t intend to use the space for that purpose, they need to recognize that every inch of their home can be used. This includes corners, windows, alcoves, and breakfast nooks.

6. Wallpaper and paint

Wallpaper is unlikely to be desired by someone interested in buying a home. Removing the wallpaper and painting the walls a neutral color is best. You should not paint over wallpaper as it can look unfinished and signal buyers about any work that may be required.

Custom paint colors may not be a popular choice for potential buyers either. While you may love the orange bathroom, people have different tastes and preferences regarding color. White walls might seem ideal as they give buyers a blank canvas that allows them to design their décor. Although, it may be better to paint your house with warm, neutral colors.

7. Flooring

Change your floors if they are stained, or dirty carpets. Linoleum looks old and cheap, which makes your ability to get the most out of your home very hard. Hardwood floors are expensive but add elegance and value to a home. They’re easy to maintain and are ideal for those with allergies.

If you plan to install hardwood floors, your primary focus should be on the common areas, such as the living and dining rooms, kitchen, and bathroom. You should also consider upgrading the bathrooms. Ceramic tile or stone is best for bathrooms and kitchens. Vinyl tiles with high-quality imitations of these materials can be used if you cannot afford the real thing.

8. Lighting

Make the most of your home’s natural lighting. When showing your home, open all blinds and curtains. Add fixtures and turn on all lights (including those in the closets) for showings if necessary. It makes your home look brighter and more welcoming and saves buyers the hassle of searching for light switches. If you feel your fixtures are in good condition, dust them off and remove any dirt. If your light fixtures are broken or outdated, they can quickly and inexpensively replace.

9. Furniture

It is essential to ensure that furniture is appropriate for the space and does not overcrowd the room. Furniture that is too large for the room will make the room appear smaller. An area with too few furnishings may feel cold.

Don’t buy cheap furniture. It doesn’t cost a lot to replace your furniture, and you may even be able to rent furniture to stage your house. You should ensure that your furniture is clean, neat, and welcoming. Throw pillows can be used to add color and contrast.

It is essential to arrange furniture, so each room feels spacious, comfortable, and easily accessible. For example, you should set your seating in the living room to create a cozy conversation area.

10. Ceilings and walls

Buyers should be wary of cracks in the ceiling or walls as they could indicate foundation problems. You will need to fix foundation problems in your home or notify potential buyers. Selling the house would be easier if foundation problems were fixed or non-existent.

If the foundation only looks bad but has been deemed sound by an inspector, repair the cracks, so you don’t scare off buyers for no good reason.

11. The exterior

Because they significantly impact a buyer’s first impression, the exterior and entryway are important. The curb appeal can influence a buyer’s desire to view the house’s interior.

Take care of your grass, hedges, trees, and plants. Get rid of weeds. To brighten windows, wash them well. Power washing your exterior can give your exterior a fresh look without the cost of new paint fraction of the cost.

Clear and clean the walkway leading to your house. Also, ensure you have new doormats for the front and rear doors. If the house has a pool, keep the water crystal clear by keeping it clean. Another way to make your exterior stand out is to create an outdoor living space, such as a patio or deck with outdoor furniture.

12. Final touches

Make sure your staging is perfect before an open house or showing. Add a few touches to make the home feel warm and inviting. Fresh flowers should be placed in vases. Let fresh air circulate in the house for at least ten mins before so it doesn’t feel stuffy. Light a few candles with soft, subtle scents. Finally, put fresh towels in the bathrooms.

What are the advantages of home staging?

A home that has been well-staged usually sells faster than one that isn’t. When potential buyers walk into a well-staged house, they can easily imagine their lives there. If a home is not adequately staged, a buyer will have to be able to see past the possessions of the seller and use more imagination. Online listings will show better when a home has been properly staged. This helps to sell the property faster and for more money.

What is the cost of home staging?

According to NAR’s 2021 Profile on Home Staging Report, the median amount spent on staging a home was $1,500 if a professional staging company was used and $300 if the seller handled the task. A seller can still pay more if necessary or if they believe the additional expense will result in a higher sales price.

The bottom line

Don’t spend too much on staging, even if you have a lot of money. While you want to highlight the best aspects of the home, it is essential to remember that selling the house and making the home useful for buyers are two different things.

To get the best bang for your buck, you should make your home appealing to as many buyers as possible. Generally speaking, the more offers you get, your home’s selling price will be higher.

We are Savannah Realtors. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you through the process of buying or selling a home in the Savannah area.