The Importance of Staging a Home

If you’re preparing to put your home on the market this new year, experts strongly suggest considering staging before doing so. It is crucial to set your home apart from every other house on the market, and home staging can help do that.

Staging is really just about appealing to your target market by removing clutter and arranging furniture to show your home’s best features and creating curb appeal. It doesn’t have to be expensive to stage your home for a quicker sale. In fact, most home staging costs less than the average first price reduction.

Where to begin?

Start by staging the outside of your home to create curb appeal. Inside staging will have no effect if the buyers don’t leave their car–a decision that is made within seconds. By placing potted flowers and having a well-maintained front yard, buyers will be motivated to see if the inside of the house is as appealing as the outside. Additionally, a seasonal wreath on a freshly painted door will help make a positive first impression.

Once inside, it only takes a buyer about 15 seconds to decide if they like a home. You can greatly increase your chances of getting past that by removing all clutter. Clutter is pretty much anything buyers see that doesn’t relate to them.

Stage your home in a way that speaks to your target market. For example, for a family, set up a game in the living room; for empty nesters, a cocktail tray.

The kitchen is also extremely important. Replace all countertop appliances – these suggest work - with a bowl of fresh fruit or flowers.

In the master bedroom the bed is the focal point. Try putting a plush duvet and soft decorative pillows with an appealing breakfast tray on the bed. A luxurious fabric placed over a corner table with candles will convey a sense of romance by invoking the feel of a resort. This continues into the master bathroom by removing all items that speak of daily routines: toothpaste, hairspray, used soap, etc. Feature thick towels that coordinate with the bed coverings, expensive-looking soap, and a vase with fresh flowers.

All in all, staging is a cost-effective way to show buyers the potential of your home and why they should want to make it theirs. Want more home selling tips for the season ahead? Contact Metrowest today – we’d be happy to discuss your options!