House-hunting is no piece of cake. Buyers jump from one site to another and browse pictures of zillions of homes. Out of the bunch of properties, only a few catch their attention.
The question is, what makes them stand out? How do they capture buyers’ attention? It’s simple: staging.
Staging transforms a home from just another listing to one that stands out and draws buyers in. It highlights the best features of a home, so potential buyers can envision themselves living there.
Nearly 20% of real estate agents working with buyers revealed that professionally staged homes received 1-5% higher offers than comparable non-staged properties.
Staging doesn’t mean you must invest in fancy furniture or hire an expensive designer. A few updates can make your home more appealing and inviting to potential buyers, leading to faster offers and better prices.
Ready to make a lasting first impression? Here’s how to get started with staging your home to make it irresistible to buyers.
1. Boost the Curb Appeal
Don’t underestimate the power of a strong curb appeal.
The entryway, the porch, and the front yard have a great impact on buyers. New research has found that 46% of millennials and 47% of Gen Z are more likely to purchase a home based on its curb appeal. So, leave no stone unturned to boost your home’s curb appeal.
Tidy up your lawn—mow it, trim the bushes, weed the flower beds, and clean the porch.
Give your front door a fresh coat of paint if needed. A tried-and-true classic like charcoal or black will be great. But a bold hue like bright red can make your home pop.
If your mailbox looks like it will topple over or is rusty, bring a new one. Real Simple advises opting for a color scheme that matches your house. Also, place it six to eight inches back from the curb.
2. Go Neutral, But Add Personality
Bold colors may be fun, but they can turn buyers off.
An associate broker in New York City, Nikki Beachamp, says that her buyers shut down at the thought of deep red, purple, and blue colors. She elaborates further that these bold hues overwhelm their vision, making it difficult for them to imagine the space with their own design preferences.
Real estate experts advise sticking to neutral colors. Whites, grays, and light beiges make spaces look bigger, brighter, and more inviting. They also allow buyers to envision their own decor without distraction.
Add pops of color with accessories like rugs, pillows, and fresh flowers. These elements create warmth and interest without overwhelming the space.
3. Maximize Light in Every Room
Buyers love bright spaces. So, pull back curtains and open blinds so that natural light can come in. If trees or bushes outside block the sunlight, trim them. A bright home feels open, airy, and welcoming, which can leave a lasting impression.
There is always a darker, north-facing side to every home, says lighting experts Niki Wright and Scarlett Hampton. For these areas, they advise using lighting–of course, artificial ones. Bring in some lamps or swap out dim bulbs for brighter ones.
4. Rearrange Furniture for Flow
Less is often more. Try to create open spaces that feel inviting and easy to walk through.
Arrange furniture in a way that showcases the functionality of the room while leaving enough open space. Pushing all the furniture against the walls is a big no-no. Instead, pull pieces toward the center to create conversation areas, especially in the living room.
If a room feels cramped due to large or extra furniture, remove them. This will make each room feel more spacious, which is a huge selling point for most buyers.
5. Deep Clean Like Never Before
A deep clean is non-negotiable. Potential buyers want to see a well-maintained home, and a sparkling house shows that.
This isn’t just your average weekend cleanup. Aim for a deep clean that includes washing windows, scrubbing floors, dusting every corner, and shining up appliances.
Have carpets installed? Get them cleaned professionally. Hardwood floors? Get them polished for a renewed look.
According to Apartment Therapy, homeowners often forget to clean the dust and grime that accumulate behind the faucets and under the toilet. A filthy bathroom can be a deal-breaker, so don’t forget to clean those spots.
Selling Your Home Quickly and Efficiently: What are the Options?
There are two ways you can sell your home quickly. Here’s a quick look at them:
1. Sell to a Cash Buyer
Selling to a cash buyer can be the quickest way to sell your home without the usual stress. This is something you can do even without staging.
Cash buyers are often investors or companies that purchase homes as-is, so you can skip repairs, upgrades, and the usual prep work.
Since these buyers don’t rely on traditional financing, they can close quickly—sometimes within a week. This makes it ideal if you’re in a rush or have a property that may not pass inspections.
No realtor is involved in the process, so you can save on commission fees. That is to say, you’ll keep more money in your pocket. This can make the process much smoother, especially if you need to sell fast or want to avoid the hassle of a traditional sale.
Speed aside, another major perk of cash offers is simplicity. According to Doctor Homes, there are fewer obstacles to clear as well as fewer opportunities for things to go wrong. Hence, you won’t have to worry about a buyer’s finances falling through at the last minute.
Ready to sell fast? Click here to learn how to sell your house as-is without a realtor.
2. Work with a Top Real Estate Agent
A skilled real estate agent can market your home to attract serious buyers quickly.
Agents know the local market, can set an attractive price, and handle negotiations to get you the best offer. They will also offer staging advice, professional photos, and marketing strategies that get your home seen by as many buyers as possible.
Agents are also expert negotiators. They will work to secure the best possible offer on your behalf. They coordinate showings, host open houses, and guide you through the paperwork, making the process smooth and stress-free.
This approach usually takes a bit more time than selling to a cash buyer, however. Also, you will have to pay a commission—usually a percentage of the sale price.
Staging a home doesn’t mean overhauling everything. Small changes, from enhancing the curb appeal to rearranging furniture, can transform your home into a space buyers can’t resist. Put in the time and effort upfront, and you’re sure to see the payoff when that sold sign goes up.
