Home Staging 101: Everything You Need to Know
There are many things to consider when listing your home.
Especially in today’s ever changing market, providing your listing with an edge can really help your home stand out among the competition. From repairing damage and planning for upgrades to boost ROI, to working with a strong team of real estate professionals, the right approach can certainly help your home sell quicker and for the highest price possible.
Having your home professionally staged is one of the most important things you can do when preparing your home for the market. In this article, we cover everything you need to know.
The Importance of Home Staging
While we agree that you should never judge a book by its cover, a little decorating and the right layout changes can truly make all the difference.
Having your home professionally staged can help to:
Create better flow from one area to the next
Complement the best features
Achieve a polished and elegant atmosphere
Open up a room and add more floor space
Help potential buyers discover the potential of the home
Professionally staging your home can also help to neutralize it. This means removing many of your personal items and even adding pieces of furniture that are more cohesive. This can help potential buyers to better imagine themselves living in your home.
Tips & Tricks to Help Stage Your Home
Of course, the best approach to staging your home is hiring a professional. With professional staging companies, you can often choose from a variety of services and packages. Some homeowners prefer an all-in-one solution where a professional creates a plan, sources the furniture and then stages your home, but others opt for a consultative approach with a take-home plan that they can put into action themselves.
If you enjoy doing things yourself, you can absolutely stage the home without a professional. To help you make the most of your staging, here are some of the best tips and tricks!
If an item can or should be stored, don’t display it. The more household items on display, the more cluttered your house can feel.
Remove personal items to help create a more neutral look and atmosphere. You may choose to pack or store personal belongings such as photo albums, framed pictures, children’s artwork, work or school supplies, and seasonal decor.
Arrange furniture to maximize floor space. The easier that potential buyers are able to navigate your home without tight spaces or furniture in the way, the better!
Create a cohesive look with complementary colours, textures and pieces of furniture.
Don’t be afraid to move furniture or decor from one room to another, tuck certain items away into storage or even remove a piece of furniture altogether!
After all of your hard work, be sure to document it! This is a great time to have your photographer and/or videographer visit your home to gather visual assets to help promote your listing online.
FAQ About Home Staging
Do you have a question about home staging? Here is everything that you need to know!
Can I stage my home myself?
Yes, you can absolutely stage your own home!
With the right approach, you can improve the overall look of your home and highlight some of the best features. If you aren’t quite sure where to begin, a professional home stager may be able to provide you with a consultation and proposed plan of action!
Is home staging expensive?
Home staging isn’t necessarily expensive.
If you choose to stage your own home, you will cut many costs associated with hiring a professional. Costs that you may encounter can include sourcing temporary furniture or decor, moving or storage.
If you opt to hire a professional, you can ask multiple companies for quotes to determine the average cost of staging in your area. It’s important to keep in mind that often you will get what you pay for. Not only that, but a properly staged home can help your home to sell quicker and for more, with added appeal.
How much does home staging cost?
The cost of home staging can differ, based on a variety of factors:
Your location
Supply and demand
The experience of the business
The services you select
The scope of work
We always recommend contacting home staging companies in your area to get a better understanding of the services they provide and how much they cost.
Is home staging worth it?
When it comes to the quick and successful sale of your home, staging is absolutely worth it. Having your home staged can offer a number of benefits, from creating a neutral space that is more enticing to potential buyers, to removing clutter and creating a space that is organized and tidy.
Do I need to stage my entire home?
The areas that require home staging will really depend on your home. Some rooms may be tastefully decorated, free of personal items and with an incredible flow, while others may be full of furniture and in desperate need of maximized floor space.
If you feel that at least three rooms in your home could benefit from staging, this may be a sign that most of your house could benefit, too!
Should I stage the exterior of my house?
When it comes to the sale of your home, curb appeal is key! The first impression that your home offers prospective home buyers is not only essential, but it’s often based on the appearance of the outside. Whether they are attending a viewing or exploring your listing online, the exterior of your home will absolutely catch their eye.
To stage the exterior of your home, we suggest starting with the removal of garbage, clutter and debris. From there, you can appropriately and tastefully decorate the outside, using outdoor furniture to create entertainment areas and relaxation nooks.
Time to List Your Home?
Now that you have everything you need to know about home staging, it’s time to put this information into action! Especially if you are planning to list your home in the future.
From guidance and advice as you prepare your home to hit the market, to support throughout the listing process, our team at Ghent Homes is here to help. Contact us today for more information about our real estate services, service areas and how we can help you sell your home.
