Sellers seem to have mixed reactions when they hear the word "staging." Some go all-in, while others are somewhat resistant to the idea. The more reluctant homeowners ask questions like: Why would anyone bother staging a home before selling it? It sounds like a lot of extra work for me. What do I get out of it?
There's a simple answer to these questions. By staging your home effectively, you have a better chance of selling it quickly and for the highest possible price. This alone should be enough to motivate even the most reluctant seller.
But those aren't the only reasons to stage your home before inviting buyers for a visit. Here's a more complete list of benefits...
1. Staging forces you to de-clutter and organize the home.
Clearing away shelves, cabinets and closets is a big part of the home staging process. It also helps with the moving process, because you'll have to pack things away at some point anyway. So when you stage your home, you will also be giving yourself a good head start on the packing and moving process (in addition to making it seem more spacious).
2. Staging requires you to think like a home buyer, and that's a good thing.
When you set out to stage your home for the market, you'll be viewing the property as if you were a buyer and not the actual owner. You'll be thinking about the home more objectively, with less personal attachment. Adopting this kind of mindset early on will help you in many ways, from marketing to negotiating.
3. Staging increases the likelihood of a quick sale.
When listing your home for sale, you'll want to do everything in your power to increase the chance of a quick sale. Because let's face it, having your home on the market isn't very much fun. It can be invasive and inconvenient. Anyone who has sold a home in the past can attest to this fact. So the less time your house is on the market, the better. Besides, you probably have a timeline for your move, your next residence, etc. Home staging can give you an extra edge in selling the home quickly.
4. Staging helps to justify the asking price.
If you are in a seller's market, and you price your home correctly, you probably won't have to go back and forth negotiating over the asking price. You'll get offers soon enough. But in a market that leans toward the buyer, you need everything in your favor to get top dollar. When done right, staging can help you justify the asking price by positioning the home more favorably in the buyer's mind. And even if you are in a seller's market, you still want to earn the best possible price. So stage away!
5. Staging can actually be fun!
At first, home staging might sound like "all work and no play." De-cluttering, painting, strategic furniture placement -- all of these things require some effort on your part. You'll have to roll up your sleeves and put in some elbow grease. But staging a home can be a creative process as well, and many people find they enjoy it once they've begun. Put on your amateur decorator hat, and have some fun.
The Benefits of Staging When Selling a Home
Seller's market conditions persist in cities across the country, as inventory continues to fall short of demand. Under these kinds of conditions, sellers typically enjoy competing offers from buyers.
But that doesn't mean sellers should skimp on the home staging. By staging your house for buyers, you can increase the chance for a quick sale and a full-price offer. And those are good things!
What Is Home Staging?
Home staging is when you take proactive steps to make your house more appealing to the majority of buyers. "Majority" is the key word here. Some people will dislike a certain property no matter what kind of staging is done. Taste is subjective, after all. But there are certain steps you can take to make your property appeal to the majority of potential buyers. And that's precisely what home staging is all about.
The staging process can include such things as:
* Landscaping the yard, when applicable
* Painting the inside and/or outside of the house
* Replacing outdated fixtures with modern ones
* Arranging, adding, or removing furniture to maximize space
* De-cluttering the entire house
* Cleaning the house thoroughly from top to bottom
In some cases, these kinds of actions might be unnecessary or even cost-prohibitive. For example, a new or recently updated home with modern fixtures won't require any new knobs, sink handles, or light fixtures. But an older home with outdated fixtures might need extra attention (unless the fixtures are antiques that add charm).
What's the Point?
Now you know what home staging is, and what it involves. But what's the point? What can you get out of it, as a home seller?
As a seller, your mission is to sell your house as quickly as possible, and for the best possible price. Staging can help you achieve these goals, and in several ways. It creates aesthetic value, which helps to support your asking price. It presents your home in the best possible light, which will make buyers more inclined to make an offer.
Above all, effective home staging helps you set your house apart from others that are listed for sale in the area. This is especially important in a crowded market with many similar properties for sale.
When buyers look at a well-staged home, they tend to say things like:
- "I got a great vibe from that house."
- "I didn't want to leave."
- "I could see myself living there."
- "The owners have taken good care of that house."
- "It seems nicer than the other homes we've looked at."
This is the kind of mindset that can lead to an offer.
Home staging allows you to create a favorable impression in the mind of potential buyers. And these kinds of impressions tend to "accumulate" as the buyer moves through the home. So if you stack enough of them in your favor, you'll have a much better chance of landing a strong offer. And that's your primary goal as a seller.