Staging that shows your home in its best possible light can make a big difference for potential buyers about to place an offer. It’s all about making space for the imagination. 

What is staging?

It’s pretty straightforward—staging is the process of arranging furniture and decor to show off a home’s best features and facilitate a quick sale for the highest possible price. It can cost next-to-nothing or require a bit of upfront investment, but the goal here is to clean up and depersonalize your home to make it easier for buyers to picture themselves there.  

Does staging really make a difference?

The research shows that staging can pay off in a big way. According to an American study, 83% of agents agreed that staging a home made it easier for buyers to visualize it as their future home. Staging also resulted in increased offers, according to 22% of agents, with 28% noting that staged homes spent fewer days on the market. 

Where do you start?

If you’re ready to stage your home to sell, there are a few key things you don’t want to miss. 

Curb appeal

First impressions are a big deal for a reason, so you want your home to look its best from the start. That means hiring a pro to clean up your lawn and garden and power-washing the house’s exterior to remove any grime. Don’t forget to put out the welcome mat!

Send pets to stay with Grandma

We know you love your pets, and don’t worry, we love them too. Potential buyers may not, though! If possible, send your pets to stay with a friend or family member while showing your home. Not only will it be less stressful for your pets to have strangers coming in and out of their homes, but it’ll give you a chance to clean up any lingering pet dander, litterboxes, or pesky odours.

Clean out clutter and depersonalize

Kitchen appliances should sparkle, while windows and mirrors should be clean and streak-free. Bathrooms and bedrooms should have clean, fresh linens, and closets should show off plenty of storage space. Don’t forget to put your family photos away for now, either—you want buyers imagining their families in this space, instead of being distracted by the home’s past.

Don’t get rid of all of your furniture

It might be tempting to ditch your existing furniture, especially if you’re already on a decluttering mission. Empty rooms often feel smaller than ones with carefully arranged furniture, though, and small cosmetic flaws become glaring without the context of a fully-staged home. Most importantly, some buyers will read a vacant home as a sign of desperation and lower their offers accordingly.

Paint, paint, paint

Maybe you love colourful paint and bold large-print wallpaper—hey, we don’t blame you. Most buyers’ tastes will tend to more neutral palettes, though. Experts recommend investing in neutral paint for your walls to help rooms appear more clean and bright.

Check the lights

All bulbs in your home should be fully functioning, and make sure the light’s tone matches the space. That means no empty sockets or burned out bulbs, and bright lights in your kitchen and bathroom, with warmer tones in living rooms and bedrooms. 

Ready to stage your home to sell?

If you need help getting started, we know professionals who can get the job done right. We’re here to help—get in touch today!