When it comes to selling a home, whether it be vacant, new construction, or occupied, it’s important to create a clean and distraction-free setting.
For empty homes, this could mean defining spaces that a buyer may not be able to see without predefined furnishings and decor. For example, in unfurnished open-floor-plan homes, it may be difficult for the buyer to envision where the living room or dining area is supposed to be during a showing. In a lived-in home, the potential buyer could be distracted by overly personal items or decor. These distractions can be the difference between a very interested buyer, and a confused and overwhelmed one. Luckily, professionally staging a home can help speed up the sale and attract more buyers.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 40 percent of buyers’ agents reported that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of a home. Additionally, 83 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. Unsurprisingly, the most common areas of a home to be staged are the most lived in -- the living room, the master bedroom, and the kitchen.
The Benefits of Staging Your Home
You may be asking yourself why staging is so important for potential buyers. In real estate, first impressions count. Staging solves the problem of lacking decor or obscure personal tastes with conventional style and inoffensive design. The median cost to stage a home is $400, and your realtor can assist you with coordinating the process.
The investment pays off though. One-quarter of buyers’ agents say that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between one and five percent, compared to other similar homes on the market that were not staged. Agents also report staging leads to less time on the market.
Should You Stage Your Home?
Shaena Keefe of SMK Home Interiors is a professional stager who works with homeowners and investors to create an attractive image for their properties. “Realtors may recommend hiring a home stager for all different types of sellers. Investors looking to sell vacant homes will benefit from full staging services so that buyers can imagine themselves living in the home and create an emotional attachment, versus walking into an empty space which can feel dull and uninviting,” says Keefe.
But how do you know if staging is right for you? “Occupied homes can benefit from even just minimal staging services,” adds Keefe. These services include everything from minimal decluttering and depersonalizing to rearranging furniture to accentuate a space.
Keefe recommends light and airy, inviting design. “We stick to a neutral color palette and classic design so that we can appeal to all types of buyers,” she says. “In addition to highlighting a home’s assets, It’s important to keep in mind specific architectural features in order to create cohesion between a home’s interior/exterior spaces. For example, if we’re staging a home that was built in the 1950s or ’60s, we’ll incorporate some décor details that nod to the unique features of a mid-century home.”
How to Prep Your Home for a Sale
Keefe recommends homeowners who are looking to earn both top dollar for their property and who want a quick sale should do the following:
- Clean up curb appeal. A well-maintained lawn, colorful flowers, and a fresh coat of exterior paint will have buyers lining up for private showings.
- Declutter and de-personalize. This is a sure way to allow buyers the opportunity to envision themselves living in your home. Clear the counters, take down family photos, and keep things tidy.
- Keep the interior walls light and neutral in color. This makes the home feel brighter and more spacious (two things all home buyers are looking for!).
- Incorporate neutral décor such as plush white bath towels and simple, light bedding. This keeps the home feeling fresh and clean.
Hire A Professional Home Stager in Sarasota, Fl.
When you’re ready to sell your home and in need of a professional to guide you through the staging process, Keefe is readily available to help you from minimal decluttering and consulting to full-scale staging. To schedule a consultation, contact SMK Home Interiors at (352)340-7043 or by email at smkhomeinteriors@gmail.com.