Staging a Home Makes All the Difference

This post is brought to you by the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR).
What does staging a house mean?

The purpose of staging is to showcase a home’s best qualities and assets to impress potential buyers and sell quickly upon listing on the market. According to the National Association of REALTORS ® (NAR), agents found that a home increases its value by about five percent when selling. Staging can help even the hardest-selling homes find a buyer. Does it take some work? Yes. But it is well worth it if you’re interested in selling a home fast and efficiently! If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, or have any questions about staging a home, contact a REALTOR ® today at SABOR.com.

Here are the most important steps during house staging:

1) Clear out the clutter.

One of the first things you’ll want to do is depersonalize and declutter your home so that a
potential home buyer can experience the home as a neutral space without an owner. Leave closets empty and presentable. A space that breathes and allows a person to feel like they have room has a powerful effect on a buyer’s decision making. If clutter appears in any area, it may deter buyers—especially if the clutter covers any living areas.

2) Make important rooms stand out.

Stage larger rooms first to leave that long-lasting impression. The living room area, dining room, family room or game room, and master bedroom should all be prioritized in the staging process to help a buyer visualize themselves in these spaces. An NAR survey found that the living room is the most important room to stage. Rooms where family members or friends can regroup hold the highest importance because of social habits. Nowadays, homeowners also prioritize the kitchen as a communal spot, especially if it shares the same space as the living room area. In this case, the kitchen should also be staged nicely to help the future buyer picture themselves in the space.

3) Arrange furniture according to the house floor plan.

Every home has its unique floor plan. Some may have extra nooks and crannies which can make furniture look odd. While this is possible, there are furniture pieces that are sold specifically for unique spaces. Remember that not all spaces need to be filled. Maybe a plant with a fun or unique pot can give that space a special appeal. Arrange the main furniture pieces away from walls or slightly off from the wall if the space is rectangular to achieve a harmonious technique called “floating” of furniture.
Add a nice rug in the center of the living room between sofas to give it that comfy feel that’ll encourage people to sit, chat, and take in the space. Always remember the “less-is-more” rule as too many small things can make rooms look cluttered again. Stage and decorate around the main pieces of furniture like sofas and center coffee tables. If sofas have patterns, then scale down on surrounding decorations that clash with the pattern. It’s best to opt for solid-colored pieces for staging such as pillows or decorations.

4) Aim for good lighting and a bright look.

You want to aim for the “oohs and ahhs” when potential home buyers walk through your home. Good lighting opens up every space and allows for a person’s eye to absorb every detail. A bright look also helps the house feel warm and inviting and even has the potential to alter a buyer’s senses. If your home has a lot of natural lighting, then great! Use this natural lighting to highlight colorful sets whether that’s a sofa, chair, or rug within the room. If lamps are needed, try to configure the layout where almost every corner can be lit within the room. This is only so that the buyer can see every aspect of the home.

5) Ace the curb appeal.

Love at first sight is where the magic happens, even with homes! In real estate, this is called ‘curb appeal.’ Before walking into a home, the exterior appearance can highly reflect the interior. At least that’s what our perception can lead to. Make sure the exterior of your home showcases its true color by lightly hosing down the siding and brushing down dirt or pollen with a non-abrasive material.
Boost your home’s curb appeal by checking off the following:
– power wash moldy exterior walkways
– clear the gutters
– manicure the lawn
– wash the windows
– make the house number stand out (polish or clean the numbers)

6) Pay attention to the small details.

Once you’ve successfully staged your home, finish off with a few details. There’s nothing that says “fresh” like a light fragrance of clean sheets or gardenias. Leave some water and a small bowl of mints so that visiting home buyers can enjoy their tour of your home. Even a vase of fresh wild flowers can brighten a kitchen. Nicely rolled-up towels in bathrooms can add to the space’s ambiance. People like to visualize what rooms would look like if they were to be living in your home so these small details go a long way.

7) Keep cleaning and small everyday items minimally visible.

Keep any cleaning items out of sight as much as possible. While you definitely want to showcase your home and its cleanliness, no cleaning products are necessary to convince the buyer. The clarity is felt in the air. Stored food items that typically go in cabinets are best to be removed, if it’s possible at all. If not, then it’ll be important to organize pantries so that everything looks neat and in place.
Staging a home makes a lasting impression. We hope these tips are helpful when you are ready to sell. And if you’re interested in selling or buying a new home or just have general questions please visit www.SABOR.com. You can locate a professional REALTOR® who will by your side to walk you through the entire process.
Alamo City Moms
Alamo City Moms is written by a collaborative and diverse group of mothers. We strive to provide moms with relevant, timely and fun information about all things mom here in the greater San Antonio area.