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When it comes to selling your home, first impressions mean a great deal. As you prepare your home for market, you may wonder whether staging your home is really worth the cost. Here are some data-driven insights, best practices, trends, and advantageous approaches to the home-selling process.
Why Home Staging Matters
Staged homes tend to sell faster and often for more money than those that aren’t staged.
Here are some key home staging benefits:
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Increased buyer engagement online and in person.
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Higher perceived value and stronger offers.
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Reduced time on the market since staged listings can motivate buyers to make decisions more quickly.
Home Staging Statistics You Should Know
Recent home staging statistics show clear results:
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Nearly 50% of sellers’ agents report staging reduces the time on market.
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83% of home buyers’ real estate agents said “staging a home made it easier for a buyer to envision the property as their future home.”
- The most commonly staged rooms by home sellers’ real estate agents were the living room (91%), primary bedroom (83%), dining room (69%), and the kitchen (68%).
Staging is a strategic part of marketing your home. It can influence buyer behavior. Important rooms in the home are carefully prepared so that they create a strong first impression with buyers, both online and in person.
Best Home Staging Practices
While staging can seem overwhelming, a few smart moves go a long way.
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
While you may have already prepared to deep-clean your home to get it ready for market, it’s crucial to declutter and depersonalize it as well. You want buyers to be able to easily imagine living there. Packing your mementos away, donating unwanted or rarely used items, and getting organized in advance can streamline the preparation process. Minimal décor will help emphasize each room’s size and potential. It’s also a good idea to pare down furniture. You want every area to feel as spacious as possible. If you’re moving into a smaller home, check out these downsizing tips.
2. Focus on Key Areas
Prioritize the areas that matter most, such as your home’s exterior, living areas, kitchen, and primary bedrooms. These impact home buyers’ impressions and can create an emotional connection. Curb appeal can make quite a difference since it’s the first thing buyers see. So, be sure to repaint or pressure-wash your siding, clean your windows, and gutters. Enhancing your property’s landscaping and adding flower pots, outdoor furniture, and/or a fire pit can make it more inviting.
When it comes to the interior, make sure you get rid of any unwanted smells, remove heavy drapery to let as much light in as possible, and consider updating lighting fixtures and hardware to give each space a fresh feel.
3. Use High Quality Photography
The majority of buyers start their home search online. Staged rooms tend to photograph better and attract more online views, showings, and, ultimately, offers. Having an excellent local agent who works with top-tier photographers can make a huge difference. 3D virtual tours and videography, including aerial footage, can also be highly advantageous for your property, especially if the home is well-prepared and staged.
Real Estate Staging Trends
Staging has evolved alongside interior design and real estate trends. Buyers increasingly want a home that supports work, wellness, and entertainment. Think bright home offices, spa-like bathrooms, spacious living rooms, and welcoming outdoor dining areas. With this in mind, staging often includes carefully selected pieces that feel aspirational without being too specific. You don’t want to alienate buyers or have them focus on the decor more than the home itself. Additionally, high-quality virtual tours are becoming the standard, so the more obvious each room’s best qualities are at first glance, the better.
Staging a Waterfront Home
Waterfront homes have their own staging considerations. These properties often offer stunning views, lots of natural light, and potential for outdoor living. With those features in mind, furniture should be arranged to emphasize windows and water views. Patios, porches, decks, and docks should be presented as extensions of the living space. You’ll also want to make sure that your outdoor furniture suggests relaxation and hints at the lifestyle provided with this home. While you may have many elements that create fun themed decor, it’s best to take a minimalist approach. You want to enhance the openness of the waterfront property by focusing on subtle accents such as soft linens, textured natural fibers, sheer curtains, and light colors.
Financial Assistance to Maximize Your Home’s Appeal
Staging is an upfront investment, but not all sellers can or want to shoulder that cost. That’s where the Windermere Ready program comes in. It offers up to $100,000 in financial assistance to make strategic improvements that boost buyer interest and potentially help you sell for more. Learn more about this advantageous program or talk to your Windermere Bainbridge Island Broker to get started.
