Most realtors agree home staging impacts buyers. Home staging is more than just decorating; it’s a way of presenting a home that increases its chances of being purchased quickly and for the asking price. The consensus among realtors, both on the side of buyers as well as sellers, is that home staging works.
In 2015, the National Association of Realtors created the “Profile of Home Staging” report. A study tested the efficacy of the home staging process.
The results show that 96% of realtors who represented buyers believe that home staging affects at least some buyers. Specifically, 49% reported most buyers are affected and 47% said some buyers are affected. Of these realtors, 81% said buyers can more easily see a staged home as their future home than an un-staged home.
If we put impact to the side and look at dollars alone, the report shows us that 37% of realtors representing sellers say staging increases the value of the home from 1% to 5%. Some realtors reported even higher percentages, as much as 20%.
When it comes to faster selling, the Real Estate Staging Association says that staged homes spend 90% less time on the market than homes that are not staged.
These solid numbers show that sellers should put a decent amount of consideration into staging homes before attempting to sell. And because more sellers are beginning to use home staging, buyers’ expectations are rising.
What do Sellers Hope to Achieve by Staging?
We know that the hope when staging a home is that it sells faster than an un-staged home, for the asking price or more. But how does staging get that done? Staging shines a light on all the great qualities of a home while drawing attention away from the less-desirable ones.
The home transforms into something balanced, between sterile and lived-in. This balance comes by creating a space that is tidy yet inviting, neutral yet appealing. It’s impersonal to a point, designed with the buyer instead of the seller in mind, and it stands out from the competition in the best way possible.
More and more, potential buyers use the internet to search for homes. Staging makes the pictures that appear online attractive to buyers. These help entice buyers to visit the property in-person.
Staging also sets a particular mood for buyers. It creates a scenario they want to be a part of, which is a cozy, clean, livable environment.
Staging Tips to Make a Home More Attractive to Buyers
Professional home stagers do this for a living. They know colors, layouts, and design. Hiring a professional is a smart use of budget. However, several things you can do yourself make homes more attractive to buyers.
- Clean Everything. This is probably the most obvious and easy aspect of staging. Make floors, windows, exterior walls, driveways, counters, and everything in between spotless.
- Play up the good features. Open curtains to reveal natural lighting, big windows, or a beautiful view. Trim hedges to show off a large porch or an outdoor living space
- Make a big impact with the right wall color and furniture. Use neutral paint on the walls that has a high likelihood of appealing to many buyers. Use furniture that looks new, not worn or old. Use small pieces of furniture in small rooms to avoid a crowded look.
- Give each room a use. Gather a couple of chairs in the living room for visiting. Put a desk in a spare room for an office. Add a table into the dining area. By doing this, buyers can envision that each space within the house is of use.
- Add pops of color in a running scheme to tie the home together and give warmth to the sterile. Choose a color and pepper it through rooms. Candles, throw pillows, fruit bowls, and rugs are small touches that have big impact.
When selling a home, staging is an important part of the process. More and more, sellers are opting for this in order to help the sale in both time and money. For more information, please contact us.
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