Visualization is a key concept in staging. In fact, according to the 2021 Profile of Home Staging by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), 82 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.
By creating a neutral yet stylish space, particularly in living rooms, primary bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms, buyers can imagine themselves living in the home. If they have an idea of how they can make use of the space, it’ll help them to develop an emotional attachment to the house, which hopefully leads to them submitting a generous offer.
No matter how much you love your home, once you decide to list it for sale, you’ll want to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and see your space through their eyes. You’ll find that your favorite gallery wall, or those purple walls in the primary bedroom, may not seem so appealing. By taking away those personal photos and repainting your walls in neutral colors, you’re removing any sign of your lifestyle from the home, making it neutral and full of possibility for prospective buyers.
By observing how the rooms are staged and arranged, buyers can draw inspiration for their future setup, especially when it comes to the strategic arrangements of furniture and decor. A well-staged room can make a small space look bigger, or a dated room look modern. If you’re selling an otherwise dark and empty property, staging creates a more spacious and inviting atmosphere that will entice buyers.
Staging can increase the amount of the offer.
The NAR report revealed that 23 percent of buyer’s agents said that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between one and five percent, compared to other similar homes on the market that are not staged. Once the home has made a memorable impression with the buyers, they are more likely to be more committed and possibly willing to increase their offer.
It improves buyers’ first impressions.
Nearly all buyers start their search online nowadays, which means your listing photos need to look stunning to make a good first impression. A well-staged home looks better and more eye-catching when shared on social media and property websites.
The home spends less time on the market.
A staged home typically sells faster. According to NAR, 31 percent reported that staging a home greatly decreased the amount of time the home was on the market.
Staging can turn around a sale that wasn’t moving.
Especially for homes that are difficult to sell, staging is necessary to draw more buyers in. The home will appeal to a larger audience, making it easier to market.
Home staging aims for the property to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible so it can be sold faster and for more money. To achieve this, the tweaks must be kept impersonal and generic. The current homeowner’s preferences don’t matter so as to create a neutral space that looks inviting to a broader audience.
Interior design, on the other hand, caters to the specific aesthetics of an individual or family. It aims to create a comfortable space for the client, so there’s a lot more creative control to make sure the design meets their needs.
Your budget
The total cost of staging (either professionally or DIY)
The value it could add to your property
How quickly you’re hoping to sell
What the local market is like for sellers
If you’re still wondering whether staging is in your best interest, talk to your real estate agent. They know the market and can tell you if you need to show off your home in the best possible way. They’d want you to get the most out of selling your home, which means a quick closing at a good price.
