5 Staging Tips to Increase Your Home’s Value

Home staging is an often overlooked step of the sale process, but it can be critical to getting the best price for your home. A study by the National Association of Realtors found that 77% of buyers see staging helps them envision themselves living in a home. The same report found that 39% of staged homes sell more quickly than those that are not.

The current housing market sees homes selling fast—and for far more than their asking prices. One Wall Street Journal article reports the “cost for existing properties up 19% in April from a year earlier.” But even in a market where homes are selling fast, skipping out on staging could mean losing out on unseen money. Luckily, I’ve gathered some easy and proven tips from my fellow Senné Associates and our stagers that are useful for all property types, from a cozy one-bedroom condo to multi-unit luxury developments.

Boost Your Curb Appeal 

An open house begins as soon as buyers pull up to the curb. Small changes like a freshly manicured lawn, a new mailbox, or even a few colorful plants can do wonders for making a great first impression. Help potential buyers find your home with ease. Make sure the house number is easily seen from the street and place wayfinding signage in clearly visible areas to guide visitors to your open house.

Depersonalize Your Space

Remove personal items, like family photos or pet furniture, that could remind buyers of another owner. Remember, the goal is to help them picture themselves living in the home. Consider hiring a stager for a consultation to help you depersonalize. For a reasonable fee, these experts can identify easy DIY staging projects that will improve the look and feel of the residence.

Go For Light and Bright 

When selling your home, stick to a light and bright color palette to appeal to interested parties. Lighting is critical to home staging, and lighter colors help smaller areas feel like they have more space. Avoid blackout curtains and opt for sheer panels to let in as much sunlight as possible. Natural light is one of the most common features a buyer looks for in a home. For darker areas around the home, supplement natural light with some strategically placed lighting fixtures.

Don’t Forget the Floors

Even if you don’t go with new tiling in the kitchen and bathrooms or hardwood floors in the living room, be sure to give the floors a little extra attention. Buff hardwood for a gleaming finish and steam your carpets for a fresh look. To conceal blemishes in aged flooring, consider introducing plush rugs or lush floor plants into a layout. These small changes add a touch of luxe and can make a big difference to a buyer.

Add Some Breathing Room 

As a rule of thumb, minimalism is key. Too many decorative elements can make a space look smaller or overwhelming. Leave out unnecessary pieces to give buyers room to properly tour the home during an open house, and create walking paths that help visitors move from one room to the next. Carefully selected furnishings can give an idea of where new owners might want to place their items after they’ve moved in.

Especially in today’s world, where most business (and home tours) can be done virtually, it’s important to put your best foot forward when presenting your home. Staging is a great way to give buyers a feel for what they can expect. Our Associates can provide useful information and advice on the best course of action for your property. Contact our team at 617.314.9400 today to get started!