Strategic Home Staging: 8 Proven Ways to Maximize Sale Price

Selling a home is an exciting and intricate process that requires careful preparation. From finding the right real estate agent to determining the perfect timing for selling, every step counts. However, one aspect that shouldn't be overlooked is the art of staging your home. By creating an inviting atmosphere, you can enhance its value and captivate potential buyers. In this blog post, we will explore simple yet effective steps to prepare your home for sale, ensuring you get the price you truly deserve.

According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), staging can have a remarkable impact on your home's value. In fact, a well-staged home can increase its value by 1% to 5%! Just imagine, for a home valued at $500,000, effective staging could potentially bring an additional $25,000 to the table. Moreover, the report also revealed that 83% of buyers' agents agree that staging makes it easier for buyers to envision the property as their future home. With such a positive influence, staging can significantly speed up the sale process.

Investing in staging not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property, but it also boosts its market value and allure to potential buyers. So, let's dive into the world of home staging and discover the secrets to a successful sale!

Who Will Do It?

When it comes to staging, you have several options to consider. You can choose to stage your home yourself, hire a professional staging company, or ask your Realtor for a referral to a reputable home stager. If you have a knack for interior design, staging the home yourself might be a feasible option. However, keep in mind that this can be a time-consuming endeavor that requires a good understanding of what appeals to potential buyers.

Hiring a professional staging company is another option. These companies specialize in boosting a home's appeal and have a wealth of experience in presenting homes in their best light. They often have an inventory of furniture and accessories that they use to enhance the appearance of your home, creating an environment that appeals to a wide range of buyers.

Alternatively, your Realtor can usually recommend a good home stager. Many real estate agents have established relationships with staging professionals and can vouch for their quality of work. While hiring a professional can be an additional cost, consider it an investment. A well-staged home can sell faster and at a higher price, potentially offsetting the cost of the staging services.

Where To Start

1. Declutter and Depersonalize

The first step to staging your home is to declutter and depersonalize it. Remove all personal items, such as family photos and memorabilia, and store them away. This will help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the space. Decluttering can also help make your home look more spacious and airy. Donate or sell any items you no longer need or use.

2. Paint and Freshen Up

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to update and refresh your home. Choose a neutral color palette to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Also, make sure to touch-up any scratches or blemishes on walls, baseboards, and window sills. Clean or replace any carpets or flooring that are stained or worn.

3. Rearrange Furniture and Add Accessories

Furniture arrangement plays a significant role in staging your home. Arrange furniture in a way that creates an open flow and highlights the best features of the room, such as a stunning fireplace or a beautiful view. Add accessories such as throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork, and plants to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

4. Give Each Room a Purpose

When potential buyers view your home, they will want to imagine how their own furniture would fit in the room. To help them visualize this, give each room a purpose - for example, a bedroom should look like a bedroom and not an office. Remove any furniture that doesn’t align with the intended purpose of the room.

5. Lighting Matters Too

Lighting is an important factor in staging your home. Natural light will make a room look brighter and more inviting, so open the curtains and blinds to let as much natural light in as possible. If the room doesn’t have enough natural lighting, you can add lamps or overhead lights to brighten up the space even more.

6. First Impressions Count

When potential buyers view your home for the first time, their initial impression will carry throughout the rest of their visit. Make sure your front entrance looks inviting by sprucing up the door with a fresh coat of paint and adding potted plants or flowers to either side. This will help create a good first impression so potential buyers can imagine themselves living in your home.

7. Make the House Sparkle

A clean home is crucial when staging your home for sale. Potential buyers want a home that looks move-in ready. Clean every corner of your home, including windows, walls, cupboards, sinks, and bathrooms. Consider hiring a professional cleaner or doing a deep clean yourself before any showings.

8. Leave the Property Before Any Showings

When your home is being shown to potential buyers, it’s important to give them space to look around and envision themselves living in the home. Leave the property and let your real estate agent do their job. Make sure your pets are also out of the way, so they don't disturb potential buyers.

Wrapping Up

Staging your home for sale is critical in today’s real estate market. These simple steps can help you prepare your home for sale and make it more attractive to potential buyers. From decluttering and depersonalizing to repainting and rearranging furniture, there’s a lot you can do to increase the value of your home and make it stand out. Remember, the goal is to make potential buyers fall in love with your home and see themselves living in it, so keep it clean, welcoming, and ready to sell.

How Much Should I Expect To Spend For Home Staging?

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average cost of home staging is around $1500. Of course, these prices can vary widely depending on the size of your home and the extent of services you choose. It's crucial to keep in mind that although this might seem like a significant expense, staging your home can increase its selling price and reduce the amount of time it sits on the market, making it a worthwhile investment.

If you are in Northeast Ohio and you are looking for a recommendation for a home stage, reach out to us! We will send you our top choices.