Have you ever viewed an empty house or a house mid-reno and point blank just not been able to envisage living there? Or what about a house that clearly hasn’t been updated since the 50’s? It’s off-putting, right?
Property staging is one thing that’s worth its weight in gold for situations like this. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 83% of buyers’ agents said that staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualise the property as their future home, AND the same survey found that staging a home could increase its selling price by up to 10%.
Proof is in the pudding that property staging is effective, and it works. Whether you’re looking to employ someone to get your house market ready, or you fancy having your own go at property staging, this is the ultimate guide to property staging for beginners that will help you get that house sold in no time.
What Is Property Staging?
Property staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by making it more appealing to potential buyers. The goal of property staging is to create an attractive, welcoming environment that allows buyers to envision themselves living in the home.
Staging a property typically involves a range of techniques, such as decluttering, rearranging furniture, adding decorative touches, and making necessary repairs and upgrades. The aim is to highlight the best features of the property and create a sense of flow and harmony throughout the space.
Property staging can be done by the homeowner themselves, or by professional stagers who specialise in the art of home presentation.
Understand The Target Market – Your Buyers
When it comes to staging a property you really need to get beneath the skin of the potential buyers and actually understand what target market you need to appeal to.
This part is crucial for the staging process. You can gauge this by identifying key demographics of those that may be interested in the property – would they be first-time buyers, empty nesters or a young family? This information will also come from potential property prices in the area, the location and looking at competing properties.
It may also help speaking to local estate agents to get some inside information on the typical target market for that given area.
In understanding this you can help to style a property that the target market is going to respond to well, whilst helping it to stand out in a crowded market.
Four Key Elements of Property Staging
1.Depersonalisation
This should be the first, and most simple stage of successfully property staging.
Family photos and memorabilia from last year’s trip to Spain has to go, I’m sorry. No potential homeowners want to be put off by trinkets, and be distracted by those family photos, they need to imagine that they can live there.
Depersonalising the space allows buyers to imagine themselves living in the property and helps them to connect emotionally with the space.
2. Decluttering
Naturally, homeowners accumulate a lot of clutter over the years that they’re living at a property, but clutter can distract potential buyers, make a space feel smaller and more chaotic than it is,
Decluttering will help to create a better flow of space throughout the home.
3. Repairs & Upgrades
Before we get to the styling stage it really is about identifying those snags and getting rid of them.
People notice the little things and whether it’s patching holes in walls or giving a fresh lick of paint to scuffed walls, these simple repairs and upgrades will improve the overall look of the property, and increase the value in the buyers eyes.
There is a lot to be said for a fresh lick of paint, and also making it one that is a neutral choice. Red walls? They’re not restful, and whilst it really is just a paint colour that the potential buyer could ignore, it will leave a lasting impression, and not the right one.
4. Furniture & Decor
With the surface level things dealt with, the foundations are right and it’s time for the fun part – styling the property.
Furniture and decor are the crucial part of styling any interior, it’s the make or break and this is the part that you want people to envisage living in the property.
The right furniture and decor can help to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that showcases the home’s best features and makes buyers feel at home.
This can include selecting furniture and decor that complements the style and architecture of the property, as well as arranging furniture in a way that maximises the flow and functionality of each room.
Virtual furniture staging can also be a great tool to showcase the potential of a space without the need for physical furniture.
The property should be styled right down to the tableware on the table. The purpose is so the buyer could literally move straight in if they wanted to, it creates competition with potential buyers as they’ll hopefully all fall in love with it as they step through the front door. THIS is what we are trying to achieve with property staging.
Furniture & Props Storage With Self Storage
If you’re serious about property staging and are engaging in more than one project, instead of stashing away valuable items in a shed, attic or garage, where they may be at risk of damage from theft, moisture or critters, you may want to enlist the help of a self-storage provider.
If you’re staging your own home, you’ll naturally be concerned about where you can safely store your sentimental items and prized family heirlooms.
Similarly, if you’re staging on behalf of a client, you’ll not only need to protect their belongings, you’ll need to securely store your props and furniture between properties.
When investing in self-storage, it is important to consider the security of your belongings. Cinch, who cater to individuals and businesses across England, will ensure the security and preservation of your belongings with their 24/7 CCTV monitored and climate-controlled self-storage units.
You will also want to factor in your time. Will you be juggling your busy family life with staging? Will you need to travel great distances between clients’ homes, boutiques and wholesalers? Will you need to access your belongings late into the night?
Cinch understands your need for flexibility. With several locations offering 24/7 access, you’ll be able to securely move and store your belongings whenever needed.
The peace of mind that comes from knowing your or your client’s belongings are being taken care of in your absence cannot be underestimated, which is why Cinch’s knowledgeable team will happily work with you to find the right unit and storage methods for your needs.
Maximising Kerb Appeal
We’ve covered the inside and we know how important that is, but the journey starts from the outside in, and those first impressions definitely count.
Maximising kerb appeal is one of the most important aspects of property staging, as it is the first thing that potential buyers will see when they arrive at your property.
The first step is ensuring that the exterior of the property is tidy and clean, this means removing any clutter or debris AND getting rid of those weeds that have been unattended to for months.
Upgrade the front door – a fresh lick of paint can be incredibly powerful in enhancing the overall look of the property.
If you have a budget for landscaping, it’s definitely one worth considering. But for other small, affordable options, just adding a set of outdoor lights to either side of the door and some potted olive plants or hanging planters can go a long way at enhancing the entryway to the home.
10 Things To Avoid When Property Staging…
- Leaving out family photos
- Cooking before any house viewings
- Not identifying and dealing with the smell of damp
- Poor lighting
- Dated decor
- Too much artwork
- Large sized pieces of furniture which affect the flow of the room
- Dark or bold paint that isn’t restful on the eyes
- Not killing that clutter
- Remove knick knacks, AND that bottle of fairy liquid – it kills that aspirational lifestyle we’re trying to achieve (even though we all need it!)
