If you’re looking to sell your home, you have probably been advised to stage it. But what is home staging, and why is it important? Find out here.
Did you know that by July 2021 a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.99 million homes was sold in the United States? Every day, new people are preparing to put their homes on the market. And for every homeowner selling, there’s another searching for the perfect property.
Presenting your home well has always been an important aspect of selling your house, but with the enormous popularity of HGTV, it’s absolutely vital. This channel, geared toward home renovation, has millions of viewers and has raised the bar for both overall home appearance and expectations for house hunters.
But whether you’re watching HGTV or flipping through the pages of a magazine, the finished product of any renovation has one thing in common – the rooms or homes are staged. What is home staging, you ask? We’re about to explain it in detail!
If you want to learn more about home staging and why it’s a must when selling your home, keep reading!
What Is Home Staging?
First, let’s define what home staging is! Home staging, as defined by the dictionary, is “the practice of styling and furnishing a property for sale in such a way as to enhance its attractiveness to potential buyers.” Essentially, you’re making your home look as stunning as it can by adding just the right combination of furniture and decor.
If you’re thinking, does it make that much of a difference? In short, yes! We’ll dive deeper into the benefits of home staging for sellers soon, but if done correctly, staging can take the drabbest of homes and turn it into a masterpiece!
Staging an Empty vs. Occupied Home
There are two options when selling your home, assuming you’re not selling to cash home buyers: continue to live in it while it’s on the market, or move before it’s sold.
Staging and selling a home while you’re still living in it is the cheaper option. You won’t have double mortgage payments and you can use furniture and decor that you already own in the staging process.
However, if your home is already empty, consider bringing in some outside furniture and decor to make it feel a bit more welcoming, particularly if you’re having trouble selling it. Your realtor should be able to recommend a quality home staging professional, but it’s never a bad idea to do your own research to find the best option for you.
After you hire a home staging professional, they will have some requests of you that you should be prepared for. Suggestions such as moving furniture to boost Feng Shui, rearranging your decor, and deep cleaning the entire house are common.
Whether you hire a professional or tackle the staging process yourself, a good rule of thumb is to remove two-thirds of your belongings from every room. Not only does this eliminate clutter, but it also gives the illusion of more space!
Is Home Staging Really Worth It?
Now, let’s get into the question you’re no doubt dying to know the answer to: Is home staging really worth it?
Buying a home is expensive, that’s a given. But you may not have given thought to the fact that selling a home can quickly become pricey.
From repairs you make in preparation for putting your home on the market, to make adjustments at a potential buyer’s request, to the finer details such as staging, selling a home comes at a cost. Because of this, it’s understandable that you’d want to be sure staging is well worth it before committing to the process.
Let’s break down what home staging can do for you!
Home staging has some impressive statistics. In fact, the National Association of Realtors reported that 31% of home buyers were willing to spend 1-5% more on a staged home. This may seem like a small percentage, but when you’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, it adds up!
For example, say your home is priced at the national average of $268,500. By staging it before putting it on the market, you could make an additional $2,685 to $13,425 on the sale!
In addition, 40% of buyers said that they felt more inclined to tour a staged home. This means, on top of the higher price tag, you’ll attract more potential buyers, which will likely lead to a faster sale.
This is because home staging makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the space. There isn’t too much “you” in the home, but it still feels homey and looks beautiful!
Home Staging Will Make Selling Easier
The ultimate goal of every seller is to sell their home fast and for the best price possible. It’s your home, where you come for comfort and security – you love every inch. Home staging makes potential buyers feel this about the home as well!
The many benefits of home staging, from the increased selling price to the boost in overall interest in your home, make beautifying your home before a sale a no brainer. Your home will look like a clipping from a magazine or a screenshot of your favorite HGTV show, making buyers fall in love.
And whether you choose to go with a professional or stage your home yourself, the knowledge you’ll gain through the process can be taken with you to your new home! You’ll wow your friends and family with your stellar new decorating skills and make your new home even better than the last.
Now that you no longer have to ask what is home staging, it’s time to move on to a new topic! To learn more about home selling and how to arrange your home in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible, check out our blog!
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