Ten Ways to Stage Your Home for Sale: The Ultimate Guide

Selling your home is one of the most stressful things you can do. Your house is a personal space and putting it up for sale is a surefire way to expose all of its flaws.

It’s also an investment that could take years to recoup, so it’s important you find the right buyer as fast as possible.

Staging your home for sale is an excellent strategy to do just that. There are plenty of reasons why staging makes sense when selling your home. It can help potential buyers see past dated details and focus instead on what the house has to offer in terms of potential rather than maintenance costs. But there’s more than that…

What is home staging?

Staging is the practice of altering a home to make it sell faster and for a higher price. A staging expert will work with you to refine your home’s look and feel. She’ll help you declutter, rearrange furniture, add pops of color and personal touches, and select neutral-colored fade-resistant fabrics that are easy to clean. Staging helps sellers create a more attractive, dramatic, and marketable environment by making the most of a home’s features and minimizing its flaws. Staged homes tend to sell faster and for higher prices than those that are unkempt and cluttered. That’s because buyers can better picture themselves living in a staged home. They can imagine the daily life that goes on within the walls and how their presence would fit into it. Staging can also help sellers avoid a drop in price due to a bad inspection or a repair that needs to be done after the sale. And staging can often help a seller walk away with more money upfront. In fact, staged homes have been known to sell for upwards of 25 percent more than non-staged homes, according to some reports.

Why sell by stager?

If you’re thinking about selling your home, it makes sense to be prepared. And that includes staging your home to showcase its best features prior to listing it. There are several important reasons to do so: – Sellers who stage their home sell their house faster. On average, they list their properties for 17 days, while un-staged homes sit on the market for 31 days. – Staged homes sell for approximately 10 percent more than their un-staged counterparts. – Staging a home can help you avoid a price drop due to a bad inspection or repair that needs to be done after the sale. – Staging can often help sellers walk away with more money upfront. In fact, staged homes have been known to sell for upwards of 25 percent more than non-staged homes, according to some reports.

What to expect when hiring a pro

If you decide to hire a professional stager, expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on your location and the services provided. That may seem like a lot of money, but it’s an investment that can very quickly pay off. You should also be prepared to open your home to a pro. Expect her to be hands-on and to stay with you throughout the process to make sure everything goes smoothly. You should also be prepared to provide a list of things you want included in the staging. Don’t forget, however, that the stager’s expertise and opinion are just as important in the staging process as yours. So while it’s helpful to have a list of your must-haves, be open to other ideas that she might have.

How to stage your own home

If you’re looking to sell your home, but you don’t want to hire a professional stager, there are still a few things you can do to get started. Check out these staging tips to get your home ready for sale. – Start by making a list of the things you want to improve or change. This can be anything from painting to rearranging furniture to adding new wall art. If there are items you need, but don’t have the budget for, don’t be afraid to hit up friends and family for donations. – Get rid of unnecessary clutter. Having too much stuff lying around can give the impression that you’re either not prepared to let go of certain items or that you don’t have enough space in your home to store them. – Reposition furniture to make rooms look larger and feel more spacious. Also, don’t be afraid to incorporate open floor plans, if possible. – Don’t forget to lighten up with bright colors, window treatments, and fabrics. – Let potential buyers know you’re ready to move by staging your home for sale.

Decorating Basics: Furniture and wall art

One of the first things that buyers will notice when they walk into your home is the furniture. That makes it critical to select pieces that are attractive and stylish, yet easy to clean. Fabric is a popular choice due to its flexibility. If you’re choosing wood, however, opt for dark-colored pieces that can easily be sanded and refinished if need be. Wall art is another easy way to transform a room. Be sure to select pieces that are large enough to make an impact but won’t be a hassle to move if you decide to sell your home in the future.

Decorating Basics: Bigger investments

If you have the funds, investing in a few major pieces of home furniture such as a sofa or dining table can make a world of difference when staging your home. It shows potential buyers that you’ve put thought into the space and that it reflects your taste. It also signals that you’re not afraid to make a big investment. Big pieces also make it easier to transform a room on a budget. You can easily change the look of a space simply by swapping out the sofa or table for a different color or fabric.

Paint job

Paint can often be overlooked when staging a home, but it’s an important piece of the puzzle. Paint can either make or break your space, so make sure it’s the right color for your home and the right formula for your walls. You’ll also want to consider the impact of paint on resale. While most buyers are looking to make their mark on a house rather than maintaining the status quo, painting the wrong color or in an unpopular hue can cost you. Depending on your location, a paint job that isn’t neutral or fails to meet the guidelines of the Residential Standard Paint Act may cost you up to 20 percent on the sale price of your home.

Scents and smells

While you definitely don’t want to overdo it with fragrance, it’s important to consider scents when staging a home. Some studies show that scents can impact buyers’ purchasing decisions. According to one study, citrus and floral scents led to an increase in sales, while sandalwood, vanilla and cedar incited a decrease in sales. If you’re looking for a subtle way to boost your home’s appeal, try using scented candles. Just make sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. You can also try hanging scented sachet bags near your outdoor space. Be sure to check the scents are pleasant enough to entice buyers while not being too strong.

Conclusion

Staging your home for sale can be a daunting task. It’s important, however, to remember that it’s an investment in yourself and your future. Not only will staging make your home more attractive to buyers, it can also help you negotiate a better price. When it comes to staging your home, less is often more. Keep it clean, timely, and tasteful and you.

Contact Me

To speak with me about selling your Austin Texas home, contact me today by calling: (512) 944-7378 or clicking here.