"Your For Sale By Owner Coach" video series presents "How To Stage A Home". You only get one chance at a first impression, so make sure your home looks appealing to all potential buyers by properly staging it. Watch this video for key staging tips and hints, as well as the common staging mistakes to avoid.
Staging is the art of showcasing your home in the best light for sale. Your goal is to entice potential buyers to envision themselves living in your house…and loving it!
Advantages of Staging
It strikes the right balance between neutralizing the interior and making it feel homey
You can use accessories you have
It makes a decluttered house look spacious, not empty
It conveys how rooms can be used for everyday living
It highlights the best features of your home
It downplays the less desirable features of your home
Effective Staging Pays For Itself
A 2009 Study by The Real Estate Staging Association noted that staged homes sold, on average, within 63 days of being staged – a 78% shorter market time, than a property being without being staged.
A National Association of Realtors study noted that staged properties generate an 8-10% higher return on sale price. The same study also noted that the longer a home is on the market, the asking prices come in lower. Staged homes tend to sell in a shorter period of time, thereby increasing the odds of selling at a higher price.
A survey conducted by HomeGain of over 2000 Realtors across the country, discovered that home staging, on average, provides a 343% return on investment.
How do I get going?
Choose a light, neutral shade of a color already used in each room. The walls should be that color. The color should be picked up in accessories and furniture.
Choose a contrasting accent color and use it sparingly, as in placemats or pillows. This will give the room some energy.
Remove heavy window treatments. Clean blinds and shades.
Repair worn wallpaper…or, if feasible, remove it and paint those walls a neutral color.
Remove throw rugs.
Wash and polish wood floors.
Install lights bulbs of the same intensity and color in every room, for a consistent look.
Analyze the day and evening light levels in each room. Add lamps where needed.
If a room has negatives, place fresh flowers or a mirror in the opposite location to draw attention away from it.
Declutter kitchen counters, moving small appliances either to storage or to cabinets. Clean all kitchen surfaces, including the inside of cabinets, drawers appliances. Take down magnets, bulletin boards, and hanging accessories.
Just before showings, run half a lemon through the garbage disposal. Don’t forget to take out the trash before potential buyers arrive!
Clean bathroom grout and fixtures. Wash the shower curtain. Make sure all shiny surfaces and fixtures are spot-free. Place toiletry items in a small plastic basket so they can quickly be stowed in a closet or under the sink. For showings, swap in fresh towels in a complementary color.
Replace family photos with a few well-arranged neutral photos.
The point of staging is to show off the house, not your personal decorating taste. Common staging mistakes include:
