Staging: What You Need to Know
There has been a lot of discussion that staging your home properly can make a big difference when you sell your house, but what exactly is home staging, and is it really worth your time and effort?
Here are a few quick FAQs that can help you decide how much you should prioritize staging as part of your prep for listing your home for sale.
What Is Home Staging?
Staging is the process of arranging and decorating your house to highlight its best features and make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. It can range from simple touch-ups to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget.
How Does It Help Me Sell My House?
Studies show good staging does have an impact on your sale. Staging your house well can help you attract more attention from buyers, which ultimately helps it sell faster and maybe for a higher price than an unstaged home. (Take a look at the attached stats.)
What Are My Staging Options?
Now that you see the potential value, let’s look at your options. The most common is leaning on your agent for their expert advice. I know what buyers like because I’m showing properties all the time and hear that feedback first-hand. Agent expertise is crucial to getting your house ready for the market. Basic staging with me means I’ll give you insight into how you should:
- Declutter and depersonalize by removing photos and personal items
- Arrange your furniture to improve the room’s flow and make it feel bigger
- Add plants, move art, or re-arrange other accessories
Full-service staging is another option if your house needs more hands-on attention. This is when you hire a staging professional or staging company to come in, make recommendations, and do the work for you. Going this route is more involved and that makes it more costly too. That’s because it can include renting (and storing) furniture and decor to more fully transform a space.
How Do I Know Which One to Pick?
Not sure which one you need? You don’t have to figure that out on your own. I will help determine what level of staging will make the most impact on your house and market. You can also check out this RE/MAX Guide for hints, tips and more information.
After doing some research, I can help you decide if professional staging is worth the investment, or if you can knock it out with their advice alone. And just so you know, here are some of the factors I’ll look at to figure that out:
- Market Conditions: If the market is slower, going all in on staging can make your home look move-in ready and attractive to buyers who may otherwise be hesitant. If your local market is very active and homes are selling fast, you may be able to get by with doing less.
- Your Home’s Condition: If your home is vacant or has a unique layout, using a professional stager who can bring in the right furniture and accessories may help buyers truly visualize its full potential and how they can picture themselves living in the home.
- Your Budget: Let’s have a discussion to get an idea of staging costs in your area, as it can be the difference between your house selling quickly or sitting on the market. However, if your budget is tight or your home only needs minor updates, I can help you think outside of the box by suggesting simple DIY staging tips to help your home look its best.
Bottom Line
Staging your home properly can make it much more attractive to buyers, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and every home shines differently. If you’re considering staging, let’s talk about it—I’ll be your best resource for determining what your home really needs to stand out and sell for top dollar.