Home staging benefits

Home staging is a huge trend overseas, but what does it mean, and how can it benefit sellers?

In its true form, home staging is usually undertaken by a decorator or a home staging professional who will come into a home and decorate it before it goes on the market or on show. This is usually the case for new developments but is increasingly making its way into ordinary homes which are for sale.

A USA-based National Association of Realtors’ Staging Stats Report for example shows that 49% of agents believe home staging affects how the buyer views the home while 77% say it makes it easier for buyers to visualise the property as their own. Additionally, 21% say that it can increase the value of a home by 6%-10% while some 39% of agents believe that it greatly decreases the time that it takes to sell.

According to Wikipedia, home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money.

Staging techniques focus on improving a property's appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want. People often use art, painting, accessories, lights, greenery, carpets and soft furnishings to stage the home so that potential buyers get a more attractive first impression of the property.

In some instances, the seller may even temporarily rearrange or replace some furniture and furnishings to achieve the goal of transforming the property.

But not all sellers are able to hire professionals to come in and decorate their home, and it is not always necessary to go to such extremes. There are basic staging steps that any seller can and should do before their property is put on the market.

Buyers will generally look for fault with a property, so when you’re selling, it is best to ensure that you present your home in the absolute best condition. A neat and well-staged home will captivate the attention of buyers and enable them to picture themselves living in it.

If you are serious about selling and achieving a good price, then it is important to remove emotion from the transaction and think about your potential buyers and how they can visualise themselves in the property. For example, while bright colours and outlandish décor can be a great expression of individuality, it will not appeal to most people and it is best to pack such items away and paint over bright walls.

Start with a spring clean followed by a thorough patch and repair. Keep the paint and décor neutral. Ensure all clutter is removed, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Then, the home staging starts. It goes a step further by preparing your home to receive important guests who will hopefully want to buy it as soon as possible and pay you a good price for it.

Basic staging steps would include updating soft furnishings such as scatter cushions and small décor pieces. You can also put fresh flowers out and guest amenities such as candles and fresh towels. Place a few throws in strategic places such as over the couch or a chair in the lounge area and over the beds. Put fresh wood in the fireplace.

Don’t neglect the outdoor areas either. A quick visit to your nearest garden centre can help you give your garden a bit of a designer touch.

A well-staged home will also mean attractive photographs to catch the attention of prospective buyers long before they have even seen the home, and hopefully once they finally see the home, the deal is clinched!