Home Staging 101

Staging a home can help your property sell 73% quicker than a non-staged home, according to research from the Real Estate Staging Association. Some experts believe  this is because home staging increases the perception of the home’s worth. Below are a few of the most effective elements of home staging.

• Clean. It may seem obvious but this step is the most important. The home needs to be a blank slate and that starts with pristine cleanliness. Deep clean the carpets, walls, kitchen and any surface they may interact with. Do not turn a buyer off with dust or grime.
• Repair. Any holes, blemishes or cracks need to be fixed immediately. A spot free home suggests that the current homeowners kept the property up and makes the place shine.
• Declutter. Clutter subconsciously stresses people out. A cluttered home can clutter the mind too. Maximize space by getting rid of all that stuff. In home staging, less is always more.
• Depersonalize. Buyers want to be able to think about themselves in the space, and that’s harder to do when the home has someone else’s personal touches. Family photos, art, anything religious, and any kind of unique furnishings. Remove belongings from closets, cupboards, and bathrooms.
• It starts at the front door. The yard, landscaping and front porch are a home’s first impression. Flowerbeds and gardens need to be fresh and tidy. Weeds should be pulled, lawns need to be manicured, and trees trimmed.
• Open Up. Use as much natural light as possible inside the home by opening up all the windows. Arrange the furniture so that the home is walkable and open. Open up doorways in hallways.
• Use tasteful accents. A bouquet of flowers, candles, succulent plants and house plants can all add lovely touches to a home and brighten things up. Plants liven a room but should be used sparingly. Place on tables, shelves or in corners to add a simple touch to a room.
• Refresh dated fixtures. Upgrade the fire place, paint the cabinets, dress up your windows, or upgrade appliances to help modernize a space and make a home more attractive to buyers. Modernizing one piece per room makes a big difference.
• Simplify. The biggest key to staging is to avoid overthinking. Take a less is more approach and aim to neutralize rooms so that they’re attractive to any kind of person. The biggest key is making everything is clean and bright. Do what you can to make the space the star.