Did you know 23% of sellers who staged their homes received offers 1-5% over their asking price?
This stat alone should be enough to stress the importance of dressing your property to supercharge your estate agency’s sales.
A well-staged home should seem inviting, highlighting its unique features to help potential buyers envision themselves living there.
So, with that said, here are our top 6 property staging tips:
1. Use a home staging kit
What’s a home staging kit? In a nutshell, it’s a range of items for quickly transforming houses into desirable homes. For example, posh-looking cookery books, decorative pillows, throws, cosy rugs, champagne flutes, etc.; your dressing kit should include whatever prospective buyers want to see in their future homes.
If you need to cater to different audiences, adapt your kit accordingly. For example, if your target market is students, including vibrant artwork, study materials and student cookbooks would be wise. Whereas, if you want to appeal to professional couples, you could incorporate stylish kitchen accessories, scented candles and plants.
At this point, if you’re wondering whether a home staging kit is worth your time and money, remember that according to Zoopla, effective property staging can add 10% to your sale price and sell your home 3 times quicker!
2. Declutter the property
Clutter makes a space feel cramped, chaotic, and overwhelming, making it harder for buyers to visualise themselves living in the property.
That’s why decluttering is vitally important, so much so that one study found that decluttering can increase a property’s value by 11%!
By ‘decluttering’, we mean clearing out unnecessary items and personal belongings, such as pet bowls, children’s toys, photo frames, etc.
This goes a long way to improving the property’s aesthetic. It also enables natural light to flow more freely, creating a sense of openness. This makes it easier for buyers to focus on the property’s unique features and potential use of the space.
3. Creating an excellent first impression
The property’s entrance is the gateway to the viewer’s new home and where they’ll form their first impressions.
As many as 26% say they judge a property within seconds of entering it, with 6% making up their minds as soon as they arrive outside the front door.
By ensuring the front of the property and hallway are in good condition, you’ll immediately pique the curiosity of potential buyers, setting a positive tone for the rest of the viewing.
That’s why sellers should ensure the property’s exterior is well-maintained, with a fresh coat of paint and a presentable landscape. For good measure, consider adding tasteful potted plants or a welcoming doormat by the front door. The right lighting can also work wonders for creating a warm ambience.
4. Look for inspiration
When it comes to property staging, US realtors are the gold standard. They can afford high-quality staging as part of their service because they typically charge higher property fees than UK estate agents.
That said, UK agents would do well to take inspiration from realtors across the pond and implement their own cost-effective ways to dress a property – even if it’s just providing recommendations to clients.
5. Add thoughtful touches
Consider asking vendors to purchase fresh flowers or house plants to bring life and vibrancy to the property’s rooms.
Thoughtfully arranged artwork and tasteful accessories can also enhance the property’s visual appeal and create a sense of warmth and cosiness.
Similarly, strategically placed mirrors can maximise natural light and build a sense of spaciousness.
Small details like these go a long way to elevating a property’s overall appeal.
6. Showcase the property’s highlights
Whether it’s a gorgeous fireplace, a beautiful garden, or a well-designed kitchen, showcasing the property’s highlights does a great deal to demonstrate its unique benefits.
For example, let’s say the property has a log burner. Why not have a wicker basket filled with neatly stacked logs beside it? Although this doesn’t sound like much, small things like this work miracles for ‘setting the scene.’
House hunters often look for standout features that align with their preferences and lifestyle, and by showcasing these aspects, you increase the likelihood of attracting buyers who see the value in your property.
Showcase the property’s highlights by making sure that areas like fireplaces are not obstructed and modern kitchens are kept clean and free of clutter to show off the kitchen’s style.
Furthermore, showcasing the highlights sets your property apart from the competition and positions it as a desirable option in the market. Buyers are often looking for standout features that align with their preferences and lifestyle, and by showcasing these aspects, you increase the likelihood of attracting the right buyers who see the true value in your property.
Are you ready to stage your next property?
Whether you’re an estate agent struggling to sell a residence because of how the owner’s presenting it or a private seller who’s (so far!) unsuccessfully sold your home or got an offer that matches the valuation, we hope these tips help!
Before we leave, we’ll provide you with some expert insight into what Gagan Saini, a Real Estate Investor and Director of Acquisitions at JiT Home Buyers, had to say about the importance of property staging:
‘My top tip? Beyond decluttering, emphasise natural light, use neutral tones, and strategically place a few statement pieces. Remember the curb appeal; a welcoming entrance sets the first impression. While not every sale demands staging, in a discerning market, these details can shift a ‘maybe’ into a ‘yes!’’
For more help marketing your property, why not browse FocalAgent’s first-rate services today? We’re transforming how people sell property with our innovative digital products, including professional photography and floor plans, Matterport 360 tours, video trailers, home staging and guided virtual viewing technology. To find out more, feel free to contact our friendly sales team!
