You will have to make many decisions when selling your home, some of which will affect the final sale price and, therefore, your profit. One decision is whether to stage your home and, if so, whether to hire a professional staging company or do it yourself. Staging your home can help you net up to 25% more profit by showing off your home’s best features. Whether you decide to do it yourself, use virtual staging, or hire a professional, here are tried-and-true tips for staging your home to sell.
Key Takeaways
- Staging can help your home sell for a higher price
- Staged homes often stand out and sell faster than unstaged homes
- Using a professional staging company typically incurs additional fees for their inventory of furniture and decor
What is Home Staging?
Home staging is a strategy to help present your home in the best light and appeal to a wide range of buyers by highlighting its best features. When buyers tour your home, they need to be able to imagine themselves living there, and by setting the stage–so to speak–you can help buyers do just that.
Does Staging Really Increase the Sale Price?
One of the main reasons sellers stage their homes is to try to increase the sale price. After all, who doesn’t want top dollar for their home? Studies suggest that staged homes sell for a higher price, with the Real Estate Staging Association reporting that most staged homes sell for 5% to 25% more than unstaged homes.
A potentially higher sale price isn’t the only benefit of staging your house. Other advantages include:
- Selling faster – The Real Estate Staging Association reports that staged homes spend 73% less time on the market
- Marketing – Staged homes look better in listing photos, an important aspect in generating buyer interest
- First impressions – Buyers may perceive your home as being move-in ready, which can lead to more interest or a faster sale
Hiring a Professional Stager
A professional stager is an expert in interior decorating and design for real estate purposes. Professional stagers may use furniture and decor you already have, or they may provide rented pieces to spruce up your home.
The cost of professional home staging varies depending on where you live, whether the home is occupied or vacant, and how many pieces of furniture you rent. The typical range to stage a home is between $2,000 and $7,500. Common home staging fees include:
- Initial consultation – Generally costs between $200 and $600
- Staging fees – Typically costs between $500 and $7,500
- Furniture and decor rentals – May cost between $500 and $600 per room, per month
Tips To Stage Your Home
The goal of staging is to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers and stand out amongst the competition. With that in mind, here are some of our best tips for home staging.
Consult Your Real Estate Agent
The current real estate market affects how you price your home and how many buyers may be interested. Real estate agents know your local housing market better than anyone. Therefore, they can guide you on whether to hire a professional stager and what repairs or renovations should be completed before listing your home.
Another key aspect to consider is your specific home. For instance, luxury homebuyers have different expectations when shopping for homes than other residential buyers.
Focus on Key Rooms
If you don’t have the budget or time to stage your entire home, focus on the rooms that have the greatest impact on buyers. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors®, the living room, primary bedroom and kitchen are the most important rooms to stage. It’s no surprise, since these are the rooms we spend the majority of our time in.
Give Rooms a Purpose
While many of us have spare bedrooms that double as home offices or a gym, most buyers want to see that each room in your house has a defined purpose. This is especially important if a room is small or has an odd layout.
Neutralize
While you may love bright colours, most buyers prefer a neutral palette when viewing homes. In addition, many buyers want a fresh coat of paint. Therefore, this investment can go a long way in helping your home feel updated and inviting.
Depersonalize your home by removing personal items like family photos and knick-knacks. This helps buyers envision themselves in the space and makes rooms appear larger and more inviting.
How To Stage a Home for Sale
Staging a home for sale involves cleaning, arranging furniture and decor, and highlighting your home’s best features.
Clean and Declutter
Deep cleaning and decluttering, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, are essential steps when staging your home. Remove personal items from surfaces such as your kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, and bedroom nightstands. Consider renting a storage unit to store any unnecessary items.
Clean your home by dusting, vacuuming, and mopping. Prospective buyers will notice that your home will appear well cared for.
Make Minor Repairs
Now is a great time to tackle any lingering items on your to-do list. Patch any drywall holes and touch up paint, or replace bold colours with a neutral palette. In addition, you should replace any burnt-out light bulbs, fix leaky faucets, and tighten loose cabinet hardware.
Add Plants
A healthy, well-cared-for plant can be a great addition to rooms when staging a home. Plants and fresh flowers can bring a space to life, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Be sure to remove any dead or dying plants before a home showing.
Maximize Lighting
Lighting is important, as you want your home to seem bright and inviting, in your listing photos and during showings. Open all curtains and blinds to let in natural light. In addition, turn on lamps and ceiling lights. If any areas of your home seem dark, add new lighting.
Stage Furniture
Staged rooms should look spacious. Therefore, you may need to remove excess furniture from rooms. Arrange existing furniture according to each room’s purpose. For instance, a living room should have comfortable furniture, such as a sofa and chairs, and a coffee table. Floating furnishings away from the walls can help the room look bigger. In addition, adding decor to mantle places, the coffee table, or built-in shelving can help to highlight your home’s features.
Add Curb Appeal
Don’t forget to stage the exterior of your home, including curb appeal. Clean your home’s siding, or add a fresh coat of paint. Focus on small details, like ensuring your house number is visible, and adding a welcome mat or potted plants to your porch.
Should I Use Virtual Staging?
Virtual staging uses digital technology to add furniture, rugs, plants, and other decor to photos of your home. Virtual staging has become more popular as it is lower-cost than professional staging. However, there are pros and cons to staging your home virtually.
Pros of virtual staging:
- Cost-effective
- Convenient
- Fast
Cons of virtual staging:
- Not staged for in-person viewings
- Poorly done virtual staging may turn off buyers
If you decide to digitally stage your home, be sure to disclose that the photo is virtually staged and use furniture that is proportionate to your home’s style. In addition, do not alter your home’s structure to avoid misleading buyers.
Bottom Line
Staging your home can help you sell your home faster and increase the dollar value of offers. Whether you choose to do it yourself, hire a professional, or stage virtually will depend on your budget and your goals. Connect with a top Zolo agent, who can help you market your home to a wide range of potential buyers.
Staging Your Home For Sale FAQs
What are the biggest staging mistakes?
Some of the biggest staging mistakes home sellers make are leaving too many pieces of furniture in the space, failing to clear out clutter and personal items, not letting in enough light, and neglecting curb appeal.
Should you set the table when staging a home?
Setting the table when staging a home is a personal preference. Some stagers prefer to set the table with place settings, while others prefer to place a table runner and a centrepiece like fresh flowers.
Do staged houses get more money?
Most staged homes sell for 5% to 25% more than unstaged homes, according to the Real Estate Staging Association. However, the final sale price depends on numerous factors, including market conditions and your specific property.
Do people get to keep the staging furniture?
In general, you do not keep the staging furniture when a professional stages your home. Normally, the furniture used to stage your home is rented and is removed at the end of your contract. However, you (or your buyers) may have the option to purchase the furniture from the staging company.
How much does it cost to stage a home in Canada?
The cost to stage a home varies depending on your location, the home’s size, whether you are renting furniture, and for how long. Generally, occupied home staging costs between $500 and $2,500, while vacant home staging can cost $2,000 to $7,500 or more. In addition, furniture and decor rentals could cost between $500 and $600 per month. These fees could increase if you are staging a luxury home.
Which rooms are the most important to stage?
The living room, primary bedroom and kitchen are the most important rooms to stage, according to a National Association of Realtors® survey. The survey suggests that the living room significantly influences buyers’ overall perception of the home.
