If you’re preparing to put your house on the market, you’re likely aiming to get the highest possible price. Home staging is a proven method to attract more buyers and potentially exceed your asking price. But what exactly is home staging, and how can you effectively implement it? This guide will walk you through the essentials of home staging to ensure your property looks its best.
The Basics of Staging a House
Staging a house is about creating a neutral, appealing space for potential buyers to imagine themselves in. Here are the foundational steps:
- Decluttering: Clear out excess items to make your home look spacious and organized.
- Cleaning: Ensure every nook and cranny is spotless.
- Depersonalizing: Remove personal items to help buyers envision their own lives in the space.
- Highlighting key features: Showcase your home’s best attributes to captivate buyers.
Decluttering
Clutter can make your home seem smaller and less appealing. Decluttering involves more than just tidying up—it’s about clearing out unnecessary items from all areas, including:
- Kitchen countertops: Store small appliances to create more counter space.
- Closets and cabinets: Potential buyers will peek inside, so make sure they’re neat.
- Living spaces: Create zones for specific activities and remove anything that doesn’t belong.
Decluttering is more than removing the mail pile. You should declutter junk drawers, cabinets, closets, and your crawl space or basement. Buyers can and should inspect those areas during the viewing. Decluttering is also a great task to undertake as you prepare to move. First, it means there will be less for you to pack up. Second, you can make some extra cash when you get rid of your no-longer-needed items through a garage sale or tax-deductible donation.
Cleaning
A clean home signals to buyers that the property is well-maintained. Pay special attention to:
- Walls, doors, and cabinetry: These high-touch areas accumulate grime.
- Pet odors: Use deodorizers like baking soda to freshen up your home.
- Windows and light fixtures: Clean windows let in more light, and dust-free fixtures sparkle.
Cleaning your home keeps potential buyers focused on the details of your space, not dirt and grime. It has the added benefit of making your home smell great. If you deal with pet odors, be sure to use a deodorizer—baking soda is cheap and effective. You can also freshen the smell of your home with scented essential oils such as lavender. Don’t forget your walls, doors, and cabinetry. Pay attention to places where hands tend to fall—such as doorknobs, locks, corners, and door frames. Over time, the grime from our hands builds up on these surfaces. Cleaning these areas with warm soapy water made of gentle dish soap with a degreaser usually gets the job done.
Depersonalizing
Remove personal items to make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves in your home. This includes:
- Family photographs and memorabilia: Store these out of sight.
- Personal toiletries: Keep these in cabinets or storage bins.
- Political and religious items: Neutralize your space to appeal to a broader audience.
Depersonalizing your space involves removing family photographs, memorabilia, and collectibles. You should also store items like toothbrushes and deodorant in a cabinet or storage bin and your clothes neatly in closets and drawers. Finally, remove anything that aligns you with a specific viewpoint, such as religious objects, political items, signs, and posters.
Highlighting Your Home’s Best Features
Each room likely has unique selling points, such as:
- Fireplaces
- Bay windows
- Crown molding
- High ceilings
Arrange furniture and decor to draw attention to these features. For example, flank a fireplace with chairs or use lighting to highlight architectural details. These selling points should become the focal point of a room when buyers first walk into your home. Low on focal points? There are many ways to add unique architectural details, and most of them won’t break the bank. Just remember that staying neutral is key. You want something that lends itself to many styles and sensibilities.
How Staging Affects Sale Price
Home staging has been around for decades, but its importance has grown with the popularity of home decorating shows. The good news is that it pays off. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2021 Profile of Home Staging, 47% of buyers agents indicated that staged homes had an effect on most buyers’ views of a home. Additionally, 38% said that home staging increased the offer amount by 1 to 10%. Investing in staging can significantly impact your sale price and speed up the selling process.
How Much Does It Cost to Stage Your House?
The cost of staging your home depends on the methods you use, the size of your home, and the buyer you’re trying to attract. Here’s a breakdown:
- Professional staging: For the average home seller, professional staging can take the guesswork out of the process. The average cost to stage a house is $1,500, but this can vary based on location, size of the house, and specific needs.
- DIY staging: If you have an eye for detail, DIY staging can be a cost-effective option. Depending on the work that needs to be done, it can cost less than $1,000.
Conclusion
Staging your house is essential to creating a space that potential buyers can envision themselves living in. By decluttering, cleaning, depersonalizing, and highlighting your home’s best features, you can make a great first impression and get one step closer to selling your house. Whether you choose professional help or a DIY approach, staging is an investment that can pay off significantly in the end.