In the current age of wildly popular home improvement shows, so many of us have clear ideas in our heads about what makes a house a home. When we’re selling a home, we want to tap into buyers’ dreams. A significant part of that is figuring out what makes a house look and feel like “home” to someone walking in for the first time. As staging professionals know, the right details can add tons of appeal and set your property apart.
What Is Staging and How Can It Help Me Sell My Home?
Simply put, staging means getting your property ready for the market and making it look its best. Staging professionals know how to focus on the details that will have the biggest impact on buyers. Staging uses interior design principles but is designed specifically for resale, not for long-term lifestyle. According to the National Association of Realtors, staging helps buyers “visualize a property as a future home.” Staging can help you sell your home by:
- Focusing on your home’s best features and downplaying flaws.
- Tapping into buyers’ emotional needs and drawing them in.
- Shifting buyers’ mindsets from looking for problem areas to finding positive qualities.
- Creating a “move-in ready” look and feel.
- Making your home look better in promotional photos for flyers and social media.
What Does Staging Involve?
When planning a sale, you don’t want to spend the time or money for complete redecoration, especially in a seller’s market. But an experienced eye can identify simple and low-cost tweaks that can have a significant impact on buyers. It often involves using elements you already have differently. Home staging can involve:
- Adding modern decorative features for an updated look.
- Rearranging or removing furniture.
- Cleaning and decluttering.
- Carpet cleaning.
- Depersonalizing the home, including removing family photos.
- Touching up paint as needed.
- Adding fresh or homey smells that invite buyers and offer a sense of ease and comfort.
- Tidying outdoor spaces to boost curb appeal.
What Should I Focus On When Working With a Stager?
Buyers’ agents rate the living room as the most critical area to stage. It creates a welcoming and inviting open space as buyers walk through a home. Other top stage-worthy areas include:
- Kitchens
- Master Bedrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Bathrooms
Do I Need Home Staging In A Seller’s Market?
The Northern Virginia market is cooling off just a bit as more inventory comes online. But it’s still very much a seller’s market. Staging can have a significant impact even in a hot market. Folks are often pleasantly surprised at the difference staging can make in the sale price and reducing time on the market. Staging makes your home stand out, even in a competitive market. According to the National Association of Realtors 2019 Profile of Home Staging, 40 percent of buyers agents said staging impacted buyers’ view of a home. Buyers’ agents reported that offers increased 1 to 5 percent over comparable homes. Some agents see even bigger bumps with price increases of up to 10 percent.
When Your Agent Is Also A Staging Professional: The Best Of Both Worlds
Not all real estate agents get hands-on involved in the staging process. However, many of the best agents do. Yvonne Holland is not only a savvy and experienced agent, but she’s also an Accredited Staging Professional® (ASP). As an ASP, Yvonne brings the best of both worlds to clients. She has earned the highest level of credentialing available for staging professionals and is a pro at using interior design techniques to prepare, list, and market your home. Yvonne’s great strength as an agent is her ability to master both the big picture and the fine details. Her broad and in-depth knowledge of the Northern Virginia real estate market complements her intense attention to detail. She’ll tell you what you need to do (even if it’s tough to hear) to get the best price and quickest sale.
