You have entered the realm of home staging, which is styling your home to attract more buyers. When selling real estate, putting a house on the market will not get you your desired price and will take time. Think of every room becoming a buyer magnet, calling out to buyers as places where they can see themselves living. This approach can help sell it sooner and for a better price.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2024 Profile of Home Staging, 85% of buyer agents feel that home staging enables buyers to visualize a property as their future home more efficiently. Additionally, the same study found that staging a home could add 1-5% of value to the selling price, depending on location and other factors.
In this blog post, we will share data-backed and practical tips for staging homes for real estate and what not to fix when selling a house.
Why Home Staging Matters
What we are doing with home staging at 123webuyhouse, is making an emotional connection with buyer’s right at the front door. Sometimes, a stag home is more welcoming than an empty one. Do you know how it is when you walk into someone’s house and feel at home? That is the exact emotion we are hoping to evoke with home staging. It means staging homes, which involves holding a plain sheet of paper to a prospective buyer and letting them draw and write on it to create the picture they imagine their life within the house, such as having breakfast in the sunlit kitchen, watching movies in a cozy family room, or lining up tools neatly in the garage.
Before we continue with specific tips, it is essential to understand a few home staging fundamentals. The objective is to make the space as neutral and uncluttered as possible to avoid offending any particular buyer.
Staging Tips for Selling Your Home
To aid you in your home-selling journey, we have compiled some tips for staging your house to impress potential buyers.
Create a Stand-out Homepage. Tidy up the Front Garden
It is important because first impressions count and the front garden is what potential buyers will see when they enter your property. You must mow the grass; remove weeds, and plant flowering plants or shrubs for color.
A garden that is well cared for imparts a feeling of warmth and makes the home buyer feel good before they walk through the front door.
· Take the time to landscape — mow the lawn, clip hedges and plant colorful flowers in season.
· Driveways, walkways and exterior walls should be power washed.
· Fix or replace the front door if it looks outdated.
· Outdoor lighting fixtures should be cleaned or replaced for an updated appearance.
· Consider creating a sitting area or bringing in potted plants for visual interest if your porch is large enough.
Staged Your House To Sell: The First Step Declutter and Depersonalize:
One of the most effective tips for staging your home to sell is to remove personal items and declutter .
Put away your family photos, personal collections or any unique home décor you have.
· Remove cluttery pieces to open up the space and let the energy flow.
· Empty countertops in the kitchen and baths to show that space is usable
· Don’t just sweep things under the rug… containers, declutter shower ,tub area and vanity, organize closets and storage spaces (believe me – people notice when the closet is clean.
Improve the Natural and Artificial Lighting
This adds depth to the room, making it look minor and less appealing—not ideal when trying to sell a property. Well-staged and brightly lit homes usually have an emotional appeal and sell faster.
- Raise blinds or open curtains to let the natural light in.
- Switch out dim or old light bulbs for energy-saving LEDs.
- Combine overhead, task and accent light to set the mood in living spaces or bedrooms.
- Clean your windows so that natural light can filter in.
- Opt for the neutral instead and simplify the décor
Choose Neutral Colors and Simplify Décor
Neutral bedding is a great option to attract the most people when staging your home.
- Choose clean white bed sheets with soft, muted throws and cushions for that five-star hotel vibe.
- Apply a coat of neutral tones like beige, gray or warm white on bold or dark walls.
- Limit furniture to a minimum and keep the same neutral colors for them as you did with your walls.
- Add some texture by adding throw pillows, a rug, and art on the walls.
Don’t Forget About Storage Spaces
Buyers are more interested in homes with plenty of storage space. Homes with clean living areas and freshly painted walls will help determine the cleaner, clearer one.
- Have all matching hangers in closets and remove additional clothing to make the space look bigger.
- Open garage and attic for storage capabilities.
- Clean and organize the pantry. Discard anything with an expiration date, and group similar food items into big categories.
Staging Key Rooms — Base on Most People Walking Areas
When a buyer walks through, these are the spaces that they spend the most time evaluating. A well-staged living room, kitchen and master bedroom in your house can make or break a buyer’s first impression.
Living Room: Determine if you have enough seating to accommodate a conversation-friendly furniture arrangement. Less is more, and it will be a different level of sophistication, so do not clutter the space by adding too many.
Kitchen: Wipe countertops clean of all items except a few select tasteful pieces perhaps a fruit bowl or a vase with fresh flowers. Clean appliances, fixtures, and floors
Main Bedroom: With up to three pillows, create a crisp, transparent linen focal point. Remove superfluous furnishings and private property.
Bathrooms: Make sure each bathroom is immaculate. Dress the stage with clean towels, new bath mats, and some simple style elements such as a plant or candles.
Mirrors – Make it Look Like You Have More Space
Mirrors work well to create the illusion of more space wherever light bounces back from them, so place them opposite windows or bright walls. They reflect light into the room, which also helps make it look bigger. These are great options, but be careful not so with mirrors. Again, masses of smaller ones will have the same impact and prevent each tiny piece from causing a ripple effect.
One way is to set up a mirror in an items for purchase room. A buyer walks in and sees THEMSELVES in the home.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While staging your home, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can turn buyers off. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Over-Personalizing
Yes, you want it to feel homey and friendly but try not to make it too personal, The idea is to give buyers a ‘blank slate’ on which to imagine themselves clearly.
Ignoring Repairs
It’s unnecessary to carry out much work, but some repairs will have to be done, and not doing so may be the opposite. Remove any visible eyesores, such as leaky faucets, cracked tiles, and peeling paint, to show your home in its most favorable light.
Overcrowding Rooms
Simplicity is Key when Staging. Don’t overcrowd your rooms with furniture and unnecessary décor. Add some key pieces that will reflect the space without overfilling it.
Wrap Up
Taking the time to stage your house to sell may seem like a headache, but with 123webuyhouse, it is well worth your time to get offers quickly and maximize your sale. Zero in on decluttering, natural light, curb appeal, and other high-traffic areas (living room, kitchen) to attract more potential buyers and potentially sell your home quicker.
Knowing what not to fix is helpful when selling a house, as it will save you money that simply won’t provide a strong return on your investment.
According to real estate studies, for instance, well-staged homes spend less time on the market and sell for higher amounts. Whether you take this on as a DIY project or call in the pros, these tips can help you stage effectively and appeal to most buyers, helping you get offers fast.
If you are struggling, hire a professional home stager or an agent who is also a staging specialist. They can offer professional advice and assist you in turning your home into a buyer-friendly property.
Remember, staging can make a huge difference in selling your home quickly. Happy staging and happy home-selling.
