It can be overwhelming to list your home for sale. You have several decisions to make: which Realtor to trust {me 😉}, the listing price, when to list, how to determine which offer to accept… but there are always steps to take to ensure your home sells for the best price. Part of the listing process that we often suggest to clients is to stage their home for sale.
What Is Home Staging?
Home staging is a marketing strategy that entails adding home decor, making basic repairs, rearranging furniture, or removing items from the home to appeal to a broader variety of buyers. Home staging is recommended when listing a home that is empty, but it also has shown to be beneficial to homes that already contain decor and furniture.
Staging a home allows a buyer to visualize themselves in the home and to present your home in the best possible light. The NAR survey found that 83 percent of buyers’ agents said a buyer was able to visualize the property as a future home due to staging.That means taking steps as easy as taking your family portraits off the walls (you don’t want buyers distracted by your wedding photos).
Should I Stage My Home to Sell?
Your Realtor is the best person to help you determine if staging is needed. Several factors are taken into consideration, including the current housing market and the house’s condition. There are proven financial advantages to home staging. Twenty-two percent of sellers’ agents reported a one to five percent increase of the dollar value offered, compared to similar homes. While 17 percent stated they saw a six to 10 percent increase.
What Would It Look Like to Stage My Home?
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, the most common rooms that are staged are the living room (93 percent), kitchen (84 percent), master bedroom (78 percent), and the dining room (72 percent). Your Realtor or the stager will provide direction as to which rooms need to be staged.
Oftentimes, common, easy home improvements can make the home more appealing. These typically include:
decluttering (95 percent)
entire home cleaning (89 percent)
removing pets for showings (83 percent)
carpet cleaning (78 percent)
These steps can be taken by the homeowners, Realtor, or a professional, depending on the client and Realtor’s agreement.
Feel free to contact me if you want to know more about home staging. If you ever have any questions about the ever-changing marketplace or know someone looking to buy or sell, please do not hesitate to reach out!