“Should you stage a home for sale?”

That’s one of the questions most people ask when selling their home, and if you’re one of those individuals who have the same thing in mind, here’s the surprising answer – YES!

It might sound like another expense or a waste of time but a study conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) suggests that staging helps homes sell quicker and at a higher rate compared to those homes that are not staged.

That being said, you might want to consider this extra step when you want to make it more appealing to potential buyers.

What Is Staging?

In simple terms, staging is “setting the stage” or preparing your home for potential buyers. It’s more than just decorating; it’s a method used to make your place more appealing to the biggest pool of buyers.

WHY IS STAGING A HOME IMPORTANT?

Home staging helps you put your asset at a higher selling price. It also reduces the risk of being in a longer marketing period.

During home staging, you help the buyer picture the kind of place they want to live in by enhancing its features, concealing its flaws, and turning odd places into spacious, usable ones.

TOP 10 HOME STAGING TIPS

Now, the exciting part: how do you stage a home? Below are some tips you can use to sell your home faster and easier.

Tip #1: Decluttering

The first step in home staging is decluttering. This makes your home look more spacious and cleaner, which is obviously more appealing to potential buyers.

The thing is that buyers must see themselves living in this place, and having a cluttered area won’t help.

Free up space in tables, shelves, etc., by throwing in items in storage units and containers.

Tip #2: Clean

Having a tidy home is one thing; keeping your place spotless clean is another.

Ideally, every area in your home should be clean, and that includes the ceilings, floors, and walls. 

Showcase new appliances and/or furniture in the kitchen and living room but if you have no new items, you can use existing ones that look clean and almost new. 

If you’re on a budget and looking for new appliances to add to your home for staging, you can check this post to learn more.

Tip #3: Depersonalize

The idea of staging is to help buyers imagine themselves living in your home, so as much as possible, you want to remove personal stuff, such as family photos, certificates, and keepsakes. 

The key is to put away toys, refrigerator arts, or other unnecessary items that are highly personal to the current homeowners.

Tip #4: Invest In Storage

Now that you have cleaned and decluttered, you may have an idea of what needs to be organized. You can keep items that you need but don’t want to be seen in your cupboard but make sure that it’s not going to be overloaded.

You might also need extra storage to keep your space organized and neat.

Want to make your space multifunctional? If yes, then check this post now!

Tip #5: Keep It Fresh

Decorate your kitchen by grouping fruits according to their color and adding plants spaced strategically to make your home look fresh and inviting.

Keep your home smelling fresh by getting rid of odors that usually come from leftover food, damp towels or bathroom, or pets. You can use vanilla-scented candles or oils as well as air purifiers to freshen the air.

Tip #6: Repaint Walls

When you’re using wallpaper to decorate your home, there might be a chance that your potential buyer will not like it. So it’s safer to just remove it and by remove, it means tearing down the old one and repainting it with a neutral color rather than just painting over it.

Custom paint colors may also not be a good idea. You may be a big fan of purple-colored rooms but this might not appeal to your potential buyers. White walls might sound like a good option but if you want the room to look cozier, it’s best to go for warm, neutral colors.

Tip #7: Flooring

Now, floors!

Having clear and well-designed floors is as important as having clean walls. If you have dirty carpets, make sure to clean them or hire a professional to do it for you.

Tear down linoleum as it looks cheap and outdated.

The best option, especially if you want your home to look elegant, is to go for hardwood floors. Not only does it look more stunning, but it’s also low maintenance.

If you are going to add hardwood floors, the best area to focus on is the kitchen, living room, and dining. If you can afford it, you can upgrade your bathroom floor with ceramic tiles or stone. Otherwise, you can use good-quality vinyl tiles as a cheaper option.

Tip #8: Define Rooms

When staging, you should consider making every part of your home a usable space. For instance, you have a finished basement, which you can turn into an entertainment room or mini gym, or a finished attic that you can turn into a home office.

Your potential buyer might use it as a different room but the point is, they can see it as a room with a well-defined purpose. As much as possible, including every nook, window, and other area.

Tip #9: Don’t Forget The Lighting

The best light is your home’s natural light, so when showcasing your home, be sure to open all windows and curtains.

Enhance every room by adding necessary fixtures and turning on all lighting, including the ones in the closets. Don’t forget to replace broken lights and light switches and clean off any grime.

Having a well-lit home is an effortless way to make your home a welcoming place.

Tip #10: Last-Minute Touches

Add final touches that would make your home cozier, warmer, and more inviting. This might include lighting a few scented candles. Placing vases with fresh flowers in some rooms, or adding new towels in the bathroom.

Bonus Tip:

Staging your home can help in selling your place faster and at a higher price; however, it can also be time-consuming. So if you want to save time (and surprisingly money, too), you can ask for professional help from real estate agents.

Not only do they know who to ask help for in staging your home, but they might also have a list of potential buyers who can visit your place in no time.