Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Real estate agents are very experienced in advising sellers on how to prepare their homes before listing. Nowadays home staging has become even more focused and detailed, and companies specializing in this art are beginning to emerge.
The article in RISMedia points out that home staging is all about highlighting the best points of the home, such as hardwood floors, while making sure all excess clutter is removed and colors are neutral. Apparently, staging a home property could mean a home will sell for 6% to 20% more, and it could sell more quickly. According to the Real Estate Staging Association properties that have been properly staged spend 73% less time on the market.
When considering how to stage your home for sale, it's best to stick to the old saying that less is more. Sellers are often advised to remove excess furniture in a room, and to take out all the personal touches that show the house is yours. The idea is to enable buyers to imagine living in the home, and for this you do need some items in each room to show the actual size. Even though an empty room might look pretty spacious, it's quite difficult for buyers to imagine how much furniture will comfortably fit in. Furniture can be tactically placed to highlight the best features of a room, for example a spectacular view. It can also be used to hide less-than-perfect features. If you have any vibrant pops of color on the walls then you might need to paint over them with neutral colors. Most people do their own home staging, based on the advice of their real estate agent.
In addition to clearing out clutter, it's important to make sure a house sparkles with cleanliness. Clean windows let in more light, enabling buyers to see the enticing interior. Floors need to be kept clean and everything must be dusted. Make sure the kitchen and bathrooms gleam, and smell fresh and inviting.
Home staging needs to extend to outside the house. Make sure the drive and walkway are cleared from any debris, and that all outside lights are working. The yard should be neat and tidy, and think about painting the front door just to freshen things up. If you are selling a home that is completely empty then there are companies that will rent furniture and accessories. It can cost several thousand dollars to do this, but if it achieves a faster sale at nearer the listing price then it’s a worthwhile investment.
