Things You Need to Know when you Stage a Home

I’ll never forget my first foray into the home buying process. I went to see this traditional home with a lot of distinctive Victorian charm: a wrap-around porch, high ceilings in the living area and a cherry wood banister with delicate detailing. Because I love interior design, I had no problem picking out these elements. But to home buyers, these beautiful features become lost if a home isn’t properly staged.

Whether you want to reveal more of your home’s warmth, space or unique details, staging a home can emphasize its strengths without calling attention to its drawbacks. According to StagedHomes.com, 93% of homes staged by a staging professional sell in less than 31 days. Staging goes beyond just cleaning a home, it can make your home brighter, bigger, and more importantly, so inviting that a buyer just absolutely has to make an offer. If you’re considering staging your own home, here are a few creative tips and a little guidance to get you started.

• Reduce the clutter. When professional stagers come into a home, the first thing they do is remove pieces, whether its furniture, décor or rugs. It’s not unusual that home stagers take away at least half of a homeowners’ personal belongings. Your home is now a product, a product that needs prepping before you put it on the market. Remove knickknacks, collections of any kind and clear counters. You want your home to remain inviting without looking too sparse or too cluttered. Overcrowding of any room can make it look smaller and unappealing.
• Remove personal items. The one important factor in home staging is that a potential buyer sees themselves and their family living in your home. Removing personal affects, like photographs, children’s artwork, refrigerator magnets, etc. from view, allows buyers to see themselves in this new vibrant space you’ve magically created.
• Stop by a model home. If you need a little inspiration in this market, make a trip to a model home to pick up a few pointers. Taking a few cues from professionals can make a big difference.
• Consider a fresh coat of paint. Buyers can be put off by brightly-colored walls and murals. Talk it over with your listing agent to see if a more neutral color might benefit your home.
• Place furniture into groupings. Push your couch, chairs or tables away from the walls. Reposition them into cozy groupings, making an area rug its anchor. You don’t want furniture to be in the way of the traffic of potential buyers.
• Make your rooms visually bigger. Paint a sun porch green to emulate the surrounding outdoor environment. Paint adjacent rooms the same neutral color for a seamless look that enhances the overall flow of the house.
• Consider painting a powder room, bedroom or dining room a deep tone. A deep rich color can have both a dramatic effect and make a space cozy at the same time. If you can’t commit to all four walls, consider painting one accent wall, like the wall surrounding a fireplace, a set of windows or some other architectural element.
• Eliminate odors. If you have pets, you may want to relocate them while showing a house. And always remember to keep litter boxes and food bowls tucked away. Have area rugs and carpeting professionally cleaned, if possible.

While none of these home staging techniques on their own can guarantee an offer from your first buyer, it will definitely make your home more memorable. And that might be half battle in this market’s keen competition.