Want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar?
The real estate landscape has changed in recent years, and homeowners who are planning to sell would be foolish to dismiss the power of home staging. Numerous studies have shown that staged homes sell 3 times faster than non-staged properties and often at a much higher price too.
But here’s the thing…
Most homeowners have no idea where to start or what to do when it comes to staging their house for sale. Some think it’s too expensive. Others believe it’s complicated or unnecessary because their place looks “fine” already.
The problem with these excuses is that when competing against staged listings, an unstaged home can sit on the market for months without selling.
The good news is this guide will reveal the exact strategies used by top real estate agents to sell your house fast and for more money than you ever imagined.
Let’s get right into it!
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
- Why staging is more important now than ever before
- The rooms that require your attention first
- Budget-friendly staging tactics that actually work
- The most common mistakes people make when staging
Why Staging is More Important Now Than Ever Before
Home staging is not just about making your place look pretty. It’s about creating a welcoming environment where buyers can easily picture themselves and their families living. Believe it or not, the data is in on this…
The National Association of Realtors found that 81% of buyers’ agents reported that staging helped buyers visualize the home as their future residence.
In a hot, competitive market like we have right now, that’s huge.
But what matters most is…
Money and time.
Staged homes consistently sell for their asking price with over 85% of staged homes hitting their financial goals or more.
Compare that to non-staged homes that end up collecting dust on the market as the seller continues to lose money on mortgage payments and utilities.
Professional real estate services can provide the solution you’re seeking when you need to move fast and want to ensure things are done correctly. But even if you go with a traditional sale, staging is what gives you that extra edge you need in today’s market.
Buyers are scrolling through pages and pages of listings online. What do you think will catch their eye? The messy house with family photos all over the place? Or the clean, white-walled space that looks like a design magazine?
Answer: It’s a no-brainer.
The Rooms That Demand Your Attention First
Not every room in your house needs to be staged with the same level of intensity. You need to focus your time and resources on what matters most. And no, it’s not your walk-in closet or the guest bathroom.
Living Room: Top Priority
The living room is number one on your list of must-stages because it’s the most important room in the house to 39% of buyers.
Why? Because families spend the most time in the living room, watching TV, playing games, and socializing. If the living room doesn’t reflect that ideal, you’re already in trouble.
Start by removing 50% of the furniture. Most living rooms are cluttered and overfurnished, making the room feel smaller and more crowded. Open up space by creating clear pathways and natural conversation areas.
Primary Bedroom: Your Second Most Important Room
The master bedroom is the second most crucial room to stage. Why? Buyers want to see a calm, relaxing environment where they can retreat and unwind after a long day.
Which means no workout equipment, desks, and most personal storage. Keep it simple and spare. A bed with crisp linens, two nightstands, and maybe an armchair if the space allows.
Kitchen: Sparkling Clean
Your kitchen doesn’t need a remodel to sell. It does, however, need to be immaculate and free of clutter. Throw everything off the countertops. Yes, every. Single. Thing.
Buyers need to imagine their own dishes and food in your kitchen, not your impressive collection of crock pots and coffee machines.
Budget-Friendly Staging Tactics That Actually Work
Professional home staging services can cost you anywhere from $2300 to $3200 for an entire house. That is a lot of money if you are on a budget.
But here’s the secret…
You don’t have to spend thousands to stage your home successfully.
Deep Clean Everything
If you can afford it, hire professionals to come in and give your house a deep clean. If not, set aside an entire weekend to scrub, polish, and shine every surface in your home.
Clean windows let in more natural light, which makes rooms appear brighter and larger. Scour tile grout, shine fixtures, and don’t forget the baseboards.
Neutralize the Space
Your bright green walls, yellow light fixtures, and lime green curtains may be your signature style, but they are turning off buyers. Cover bold colors with neutral paint in shades of gray, beige, or white.
The same goes for decor. Store away family photos, collections, and anything else that screams “personalized.”
Light, Bright, White!
Open all curtains, blinds, and shutters during showings. Swap out any burned-out lightbulbs with the highest wattage your fixtures allow. Add lamps to dark corners and add mirrors to reflect even more light.
Buyers equate brightness with space in their mind. If you have heavy dark curtains, consider replacing them with lightweight white sheers.
Rearrange Furniture
You likely don’t need to buy new furniture when staging your home. All you need to do is rearrange what you have. Pull furniture away from the walls to create open conversation areas. Clear any pieces blocking natural traffic patterns.
Minimalism is key when it comes to staging. Rent a storage unit if you need somewhere to put extra furniture and personal collections for a month or two.
The Staging Mistakes You Must Avoid at All Costs
Even well-meaning homeowners can make grave mistakes when staging their property for sale. Here are the most egregious ones…
Mistake #1: Neglecting Curb Appeal
Buyers form their first impression of your house within the first 7 seconds of seeing the exterior. That means if your home doesn’t pass the “drive-by test,” they may not even schedule a showing in the first place.
Cut your grass, trim the bushes, plant some flowers, and make sure your front door looks welcoming.
Mistake #2: Over-Personalizing Your Space
Your collection of sports memorabilia, religious statues, political signs, and awards may have a special place in your heart, but they don’t resonate with the general public. Keep everything neutral and impersonal.
Mistake #3: Skipping Small Repairs
That loose doorknob. The dripping faucet. The broken tile in the bathroom. These small issues may seem insignificant to you, but they speak volumes to buyers that the home has not been well cared for over the years.
Fix anything and everything before you list the house.
Mistake #4: Leaving Rooms Empty
Emptied rooms make the house feel smaller and less inviting to buyers. You need to at least furnish empty rooms so buyers can understand the scale and purpose of each space.
If you’ve already moved out, consider using virtual staging or renting bare-bones furniture for essential rooms.
The Truth Behind Staging Returns
Let’s talk numbers one last time because that is all that matters in the end. Professionally staged homes have an average return on investment of anywhere between 158% and 1194%.
Translation: Spend $2000 on staging and get back an additional $3000 to $23000 when you close on your final sale. Don’t forget that selling faster means you’re not losing money on your mortgage and utilities either.
Wrapping All of This Information Up
Staging your home for sale is one of the best things you can do for your sale if you are a seller. It’s not a trick or gimmick. It’s simply presenting your property in the best possible way to help buyers see its potential.
Focus on staging the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen first. Deep clean everything, neutralize the walls and decor, and fix all those small problems you have been meaning to take care of for years.
The data doesn’t lie. Staged homes sell faster and for more money than their unstaged counterparts. Full stop.
If you want to maximize your final sale price and time on the market, staging is no longer optional.
