WHAT IS STAGING?
The staging process involves redecorating, rearranging furniture, cleaning, and incorporating other strategies to present the most aesthetic environment possible to potential buyers. It is crucial to make the home as appealing as possible to attract the most potential buyers. At the Hepburn-ONeal, our team believes there are numerous benefits associated with staging your home. Here’s our top 7:
1) BUYERS CAN VISUALIZE THEMSELVES IN YOUR SPACE
According to an informative 2019 study by the National Association of Realtors on home staging, 83 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a property helped buyers visualize it as their future home.
As a seller, you want buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. They need to see the house as a good fit for their family and build a personal connection to it. This is accomplished by “depersonalizing” the house and decorating it in a way that appeals to potential buyers.
2) IT CAN SHORTEN THE TIME SPENT ON THE MARKET
According to research conducted by the Real Estate Staging Association, staged houses spend 72% less time on the market. A buyer is more likely to make a quick offer on an appealing home that gives off the impression that it is ready for move-in. Typically, a house’s price drops the longer it remains on the market, either through a decrease in the price or a reduction of offers.
3) STAGING CAN RESULT IN A HIGHER SELLING PRICE
The previously mentioned NAR’s 2019 study also found that 22 percent of sellers’ agents reported that staging their homes lead to a 1-5 percent increase in value, compared to unstaged properties. Seventeen percent of respondents said staging increased the value of their homes by 6–10 percent. This percentage may seem insignificant initially, but when you do the math on something as expensive as a home, even just a 5% increase on a $500,000 home equates to $25,000.
4) YOUR LISTING PHOTOS WILL STAND OUT ONLINE
An online presence can make a dramatic difference in real estate marketing. Undoubtedly, a staged house is more visually appealing than one that is not. Photos of a home can decide whether or not a potential buyer will view the house in person. As a result, if your pictures come across as unappealing, you may experience fewer showings and offers.
4) IT PRESENTS A WELL-MAINTAINED HOME TO BUYERS
Buyers want to ensure that a home meets all of their structural requirements, such as the layout, the size, and the number of bedrooms. However, they’ll also look for clues that indicate the actual condition of the house. Staging your house effectively will give them the impression that it is well-kept. A home that appears to be in good condition will reassure buyers that it does not require excessive repairs.
5) IT SHOWS THE POTENTIAL YOUR HOME HAS
Staging can highlight special features in your home and convey potential purposes for given rooms. For example, if you have a nook in one area of your home, you can stage it to look like a cozy space to read.
If you have a smaller bedroom that you can stage as an office, this could help a buyer envision multiple possibilities for the room. At the end of the day, your goal as a seller is to help the potential buyer imagine your home as their own and get their wheels turning on how they’d personalize the space.
6) IT GIVES BUYERS MORE CONFIDENCE
By staging your home, you eliminate the possibility of the buyer second-guessing your property. Currently, many people are drawn to open floor plans. Potential buyers may find it challenging to envision how their own furniture should be placed if there is little to none. Increasing the level of uncertainty in the buyers decreases their willingness to buy your property. Staging increases buyer confidence.
7) IT CAN MAKE IT FEEL LARGER
You’d be surprised how much larger a room feels with furniture than one that’s vacant. Empty spaces lack spatial context, whereas a furnished room enables buyers to see the size of the furniture in relation to the room. Some people have trouble imagining how much space a king-sized bed might require, and they might think they will need a bigger bedroom than they do. Having furniture present will help them imagine how their own furniture could fit.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
At the Hepburn-ONeal Group, we are committed to ensuring that your home will put its best foot forward. Homes sell because of correct pricing and great presentation. We are always here to guide our clients through every step of the process. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, you’re in good hands with Patrick and Mel.
OTHER BLOG POSTS
CONTACT US
The Hepburn-ONeal Group is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Real Broker. Real Broker is a licensed real estate broker and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.