Staging Your Home for Buyers

Whilst we are continuously hearing about how the market is strong with incredible clearance rates, there are still many unsold homes on the market today. It can be a struggle to make your property stand out in a real estate market that is so competitive. You can change your chances of selling for the better by staging your home so that prospective buyers can see themselves living there. 

Staging Techniques

Staging has been used since the 1970s, but has only been exposed to the public with the advent of TV channels that give sellers excellent ideas for staging their homes. The goal in staging your home is to have potential buyers see themselves moving in. If buyers can’t see and feel themselves living in your house, then you’ll lose them. 

Getting Buyers Inside

A well-manicured front lawn and freshly painted front door are just two aspects of staging the outside of your house to welcome buyers. Staging is generally thought of as something done inside your house, but you can do it outside, as well. Rake up leaves, cut your grass and sweep the sidewalks, so that the effect is tidy. 

Get Rid of Clutter

Cluttered rooms appear smaller, which makes them less appealing to buyers. Go through every room and get rid of things you don’t need. You’ll be doing that when you move, anyway, so get a head start. De-cluttered rooms can feel bare, but the buyers will more easily see themselves in your home if they can see their furnishings in there, as well. 

Clean, Clean, Clean

Properly staged homes should not only be well designed, but also very clean. This means cleaning everywhere in your home, from windowsills to the bottom of the toilets. A spotless house tells your potential buyers that you have lovingly cared for your home, and they will assume that everything in the house is well cared for. Be meticulous, wiping down everything, including switch and outlet covers. Deep clean and then deodorise your window coverings and carpets. 

Balance Soft and Hard Surfaces

When you stage a room, balance soft surfaces like sofas and hard surfaces, like tables. There should be as many of one in the room as there are of the other. A room filled with two sofas and comfortable recliners has too many soft surfaces, so you’ll need tables, bookshelves or an entertainment centre to balance hard and soft.

Hire a Professional Stager

You know your home, but to a professional stager, it is a blank slate, and he or she can make the most insightful decisions on how to stage your home for potential buyers. In addition, a professional stager sees your house objectively, which is difficult for you to do.  

Make Sure Everything Looks Right

Step back into your doorway and look at your rooms from that vantage point, as if you were seeing them for the first time. Potential buyers will develop first impressions from here. Re-arrange things as needed and then check the view from the doorway, again. In this way, you will be able to make sure that every room in your home will appeal to prospective buyers. 

Have a read of our list of the best tips to stage your home here.