If you’re selling a home, staging is one of the most effective ways to attract serious offers. According to the National Association of Realtors’ biennial report, 82% of buyers said staging helped them more easily visualize the residence as their future digs. “You’ve got to get your house ready for the red carpet of real estate,” says George Bass, owner of Dallas-based George Bass Stage & Design. “It has to be dressed up to the nines.”
What exactly does staging entail? The details depend on your property — but in general, staging is about adding (or removing) decor as well as changing up furniture. “Bringing in really good looking, current and sophisticated furniture can set the stage of how chic the house can look,” says real estate agent Richard Graziano with Allie Beth Allman & Associates. It also provides a sense of scale. “Buyers don’t have a ton of vision oftentimes,” Graziano explains, “and staging helps show the proportion of the space.”
Whether you need a full overhaul or are tweaking the current style, staging makes a home look its very best for listing photos and tours. In the Realtor association analysis, 31% of sellers’ agents said that staging decreased the time the home spent on the market. “You’re creating an ambiance where the buyers don’t have to think too much,” Bass notes. “They pull the trigger much faster.”
5 hints for staging your home
Even if you’re not hiring a professional stager, you can give your house the right look and feel with these five tips:
Start early. It takes time to stage your home, especially the initial steps of decluttering and organizing. “You’ll surprise yourself thinking you don’t have that much,” Bass says. “Start that process now. The earlier the better.” Prime spots for decluttering include your built-ins and mantel.
Take time for a deep clean. “The house has to be in tip-top shape,” Bass says. “Whether it’s a 900-square-foot condo or a 30,000-square-foot mansion, it’s a job. It’s hard work.” And make sure windows are on your to-do list. “Buyers want comfort, safety, privacy, ample space and natural light,” he shares — so give the windows a good shine to make the most of the light you have. You should also thoroughly clean anywhere your pets spend a lot of time. It’s best to move out dog beds, litter boxes and the like when you have potential buyers in your home.
Create the illusion of space. One way to maximize your square footage is to move around your furniture. Float furniture off walls (it’s counterintuitive, but it makes the room feel bigger), and consider removing some items. Make sure furniture isn’t blocking key features of your home, such as windows and the fireplace.
Keep things light and bright. “We have to create a neutral palette,” Bass notes, adding that paint is one of the easiest ways to transform your space. He recommends covering your walls in a beautiful white or other neutral. This will help the home feel fresh and is especially important if fixtures and other features are a bit dated. Of course, you don’t want the home to be boring. Liven up your neutrals with accessories in pops of color, such as pillows, artwork or plants.
Depersonalize the home. “We don’t need to see your accolades, your degrees, your family photos,” Bass says. “Take them down.” While this tip helps buyers envision their own family in the space, it’s also a safety measure for the seller. “We don’t know who is coming into the house. If you have photos of young children or teenagers, even single women or single men, it’s best to clear out all the photos.” But don’t leave your walls empty. Add some generic art, keeping scale and proportion in mind.