Whether you’re selling your own home or a client’s, preparing a house to be sold presents several challenges. You want your home to sell quickly and for the highest price possible, which means ensuring the property appeals to many buyers.
One of the best things you can do to make your home sell quickly at your desired price is to stage it with beautiful furniture. Homes staged with attractive, appealing furniture and décor are proven to sell faster—and often for a higher price—than their non-staged counterparts.
Why? Staging makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine living in the home. Plus, in the age of online real estate listings, well-staged photos really pop and stand out compared to other homes, enticing more people to look at your house.
#1: Remove the clutter.
Before you worry about arranging furniture, the first step in staging is removing clutter and personal belongings from the house. Knick-knacks, family photos, wall signs, toys, and other small or customized items should be taken down, boxed up and stored elsewhere—not in the home’s closets, since prospective buyers will be looking there, too. It’s best to start with a decluttered space that’s as simple and versatile as possible, so buyers can envision living there immediately.
#2: Deep clean.
Second, maximize the house’s appeal by cleaning it thoroughly. Other than the obvious spots like the bathroom and kitchen, make sure to address any neglected areas, such as dusty light fixtures, closets, beneath rugs, gaps next to appliances, etc. If you have pets, make sure you take care of any pet odors that may be lingering. Launder all fabrics, have your carpet cleaned (professionally if possible), and air out all rooms of the house by opening windows.
Don’t forget about the exterior of your home when addressing this step. Curb appeal will attract more buyers. If possible, try to: power wash your house’s siding, clean the windows, mow the lawn, trim any overgrown bushes or plants and make sure flower beds are weed-free.
#3: Prioritize staging by room.
In case you don’t have the budget or time to stage every room of the house, focus on the rooms that have been shown to have the biggest impact on how well your listing does. Start with the living room—it’s essential. Next, stage the master bedroom, then the dining room and kitchen. Additional bedrooms are the lowest priority.
#4: Thin out your furniture.
Once you’re ready to stage your furniture, start by removing some of it. Keeping only the essentials will make each room feel bigger and further reduce the appearance of clutter, which will appeal to buyers. Obviously, you’ll want to remove any outdated or damaged items first, replacing them with new furniture if needed.
When staging your living room, for example, stick with a high-quality sofa, a loveseat or accent chairs, coffee table and an appropriately sized rug to anchor the furniture and give the space a cohesive look. Simple, contemporary pieces are best since they offer versatility and mass appeal—you want the space to look stylish yet timeless, so try to avoid designs and colors that are very trendy.
#5. Utilize the “floating” technique.
Move furniture away from the walls so that it “floats” towards the center of the room. This design technique helps the space appear bigger yet more stylish and intimate. Arrange chairs and couches facing each other to create a cozy vibe.
#6: Add some final touches.
Small finishing touches add color and life to increase your listing’s chance of success. Consider final additions of things like bowls of fruit, fresh-cut flowers, potted plants, neatly folded towels, a new welcome mat on the doorstep, etc.
With these home staging tips, you’ll be well on your way to enhancing your listing and enticing potential buyers in no time.