By Roberta Schwarzbach, Owner, Set the Stage Pittsburgh Three Rivers
Home staging is a marketing tool used to showcase living spaces for maximum visual appeal, function, and purpose. It is a crucial part of preparing a residence for sale in the real estate market, even in a seller’s market.
If there were a reliable way to facilitate a faster sale of a property, wouldn’t it be in the best interest of the seller to use it? Read on to learn how home staging is one such proven method that can contribute to expediting the sale process.
What is the goal of home staging?
Home staging aims to appeal to potential buyers by showcasing the home’s best features to sell it more quickly and for a higher price. It is important to remember the psychology involved in buying a home. Buyers are not looking for a warehouse space, they are looking for a living space. While an empty house may offer a blank canvas, often it is hard for a potential buyer to visualize how the space can be used. Home staging transforms that canvas into a compelling vision of a livable, desirable home, whether they picture family gatherings, personal milestones, or daily routines. Eighty-two percent of buyers’ agents said staging helped their clients visualize the property as their home, according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2021 Profile of Home Staging. This emotional connection can influence their willingness to invest in a particular property.
What is involved in staging a home?
Assessment and consultation: A professional home stager begins by assessing the property, considering its layout, architectural style, and target market. They then provide recommendations on how to enhance its appeal.
Depersonalizing: The stager advises the homeowner to remove personal items and excess furniture. This helps create a clean, spacious look that allows potential buyers to visualize themselves in the home.
Minor repairs and improvements: Addressing minor repairs, such as fixing leaky faucets, replacing broken tiles, or touching up paint, is crucial. These small improvements can make a big difference in the perceived value of the property.
Furniture arrangement: In an inhabited home, existing furniture may be rearranged or supplemented to optimize the flow of each room. In a vacant home, furniture is brought in and placed so that spaces appear open and inviting, while also highlighting the functionality of each area.
Decor and accessories: Strategic placement of decor such as artwork, rugs, pillows, and plants can add warmth and character to rooms. These elements help create a cohesive and visually appealing atmosphere that appeals to potential buyers.
Curb appeal: The exterior of the home is equally important. Stagers may recommend improvements to landscaping, exterior paint, and entryway decor to create a positive first impression.
Photography and marketing: Once staged, professional photographers capture high-quality images of the property. These images are used in online listings and marketing materials to attract potential buyers.
Is home staging the same as interior design?
They are not the same, and they have very distinct purposes. Home staging is a process used to appeal to the widest audience of potential buyers possible so that they can see what the space is capable of.
Interior design and decorating customizes the space for the new homeowner once the property is sold. Decorating and designing is ideal for living, while staging is used for selling.
Should I professionally stage my home?
In summary, home staging is a strategic investment that pays off by making a property more attractive and appealing to potential buyers. It helps create a positive impression, fosters emotional connections, and accelerates the selling process while potentially increasing the final sale price.
Home stagers work in tandem with realtors to help a property stand out in a competitive real estate market and potentially command a higher sale price and faster sale.
About the Author
Today, we are joined by guest author, Roberta Schwarzbach, Owner of Set the Stage Pittsburgh Three Rivers. Set The Stage offers the best home staging solutions for effective home-selling marketing. They provide vacant and live-in home staging, model and parade home staging, vacation rental furnishing, corporate holiday event vignette, and consultation services throughout the Pittsburgh metro area. To learn more, head over to Set the Stage’s website or follow them on Instagram.