There is a big trend today in ‘home staging’ – the term used for the preparation of a private residence for sale in the property marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property quicker and for more money.
It involves redecorating, rearranging furniture, cleaning and other aesthetic strategies to present the home in the best possible light.
If your house is already on the market and it isn’t selling, or you’re not receiving the right offers, it may be because it is tired or cluttered and not immediately appealing to viewers.
Whether you pay a professional to ‘set the stage’ or you do it yourself, there are lots of things you can do to make your home stand out to potential buyers. Before the professional photographer comes in to take pictures and get your house on the market, spend some time staging your property for sale:
- Repaint the walls a pale and neutral tone.
- Rearrange your furniture, adding new cushions and soft furnishings to make the room warm and welcoming.
- Declutter – this is the ideal time to get rid of items that you no longer use or love. Consider selling them at a local market, giving them away to charity, or repurposing them to give them a new lease of life. Any extra items lying around put in the garage or even your car temporarily(!) for viewings. Keep the kitchen surfaces clear and remove fridge magnets and other personal photos and effects.
- Give every room a purpose – whether it is a home office, a bedroom or a boot room.
- Add storage – storage units and organisers will not only help with your own decluttering, but will also show off to buyers the space you have.
- Try and get that feeling you get when you walk into a hotel. Make all beds with freshly washed neutral matching linen, plump up cushions and display matching towels and accessories in the bathroom.
- Set the dining table with matching mats and crockery and make it look inviting.
- Add finishing touches like fresh flowers and scented candles. Your aim is to help viewers to envision themselves living at that property and embracing the lifestyle that goes with it.
- Tidy the front garden and put the bins out of sight, your front garden is the first thing viewers will see when visiting your property and you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.
If you are stuck for time or budget, it can be an idea to focus your staging efforts on only a few rooms – show off the higher impact areas like the living area, the kitchen and the master bedroom. A recent report revealed staging can increase the value of your property by up to 10% so the cost and effort of staging is worth it.