Whether it is for open houses or real estate photographers, you want your house to look its best when you are selling it, especially in western NC. No matter who will be entering the home, correctly staging it is a terrific marketing tool that accentuates its advantages and appeals to the broadest range of potential purchasers. See our guide below for tips on how to give your house the finest possible appearance!
What Is the Fuss About Home Staging?
You have undoubtedly seen images of beautifully furnished homes in magazines and social media. These pictures frequently include extremely well-kept houses that may or may not look occupied. Envy and increased asking prices might also result from these excellent photographs. Homes that have been professionally photographed can often fetch a 47% higher asking price per square foot.
Home staging aims to improve curb appeal by adding and rearranging furniture and decor. When you stage a home, you make it look its best to sell it as soon and for the most money as possible. You are “packaging” your house in a way that gives off a welcoming vibe, so potential buyers can picture living there themselves.
1. First Up – It’s Time to Declutter
Decluttering your home is the first step in making it more appealing, even if most people can’t have a spotless house. Spend some time cleaning your house thoroughly and clearing out any clutter that might take up space. Your collection of fly fishing publications or video games won’t interest potential purchasers. Remove stacks of paper, remote controllers, and other trinkets that don’t increase the worth of your house.
Make sure to clean any vents or fans, as well as your windows, floors, and fans. Towels and soap should be brand new in the bathrooms. It’s time to make the beds seem new and renewed. Home buyers prefer to buy a house they might envision themselves moving into tomorrow rather than one that feels lived in.
Additionally, it is important to erase any signs of pets. When a potential buyer walks inside your home, pet toys, kennels, and pet hair can be a huge distraction. If they are allergic to pet dander, they could have a reaction leaving them with a poor first impression, even if your home is immaculate otherwise.
2. Curb Appeal Is Everything
The initial photo in a listing is often a photograph of the outside of your home, and 95% of users spent a total of 20 seconds looking at it. When marketing your home, ensuring that the exterior is in excellent condition can provide a very valuable first impression. Getting your home’s exterior “staged” can be done in several ways, including:
- Pruning your bushes and trees
- Mowing the lawn
- Removing any leaves using a rake
- Clearing the gutters
- Using plants or decorations to fill in empty spaces
- Pressure washing hard exterior surfaces
- Improving the doorknobs and lighting
- Making any outside living areas clean
3. Work Your Way Indoors
Buyers are drawn to large rooms. Remove any garish furniture or extra rugs. Maintain a neutral color scheme for your walls, and be sure to leave any blinds and drapes open. The rooms will appear much larger thanks to natural light.
All of your home’s lights, including those in lamps and closets, should be on during showings. In addition to showcasing every inch of your home, this will spare potential buyers from having to figure out light switches.
Don’t overdo your house staging, though. Make sure to clearly identify rooms by demonstrating to buyers how to make the most of the square footage. Over-styling can give off an unnatural vibe and make your house appear excessively formal. Buyers should be able to physically explore your home without becoming alarmed by excessively intricate details.
4. How Much Should I Budget for Home Staging?
There are a variety of ways in which you could stage your home. If you do it yourself, you may not have the professional expertise, but you can easily stage your home within your budget. By taking on simple repairs and cleaning your house, you can save thousands of dollars in staging fees.
According to a report from the National Association of REALTORs, investing more in the staging of your home can increase your dollar value between 1% and 5%. They also state that for every $100 invested in staging, the potential ROI is $400. So keep that in mind.
With that said, the average cost of a home staging is roughly $1500 a month. While it may seem like DIY’ing your home staging, the time saved can be well worth it. Not only do professional home stagers plan out a design for your home, they also rent out furnishings and get your place looking like someone else’s dream house.
Modern Mountain Real Estate – Your Western North Carolina Real Estate Company
We know how stressful getting a home prepped and ready for going on the market can be. Modern Mountain Real Estate focuses on helping you sell your home by working with you every step of the way. Our agents have a vast knowledge of the western North Carolina real estate market and are here to ensure that selling your home is easy and painless.
Our licensed and experienced real estate professionals have a focus on the western North Carolina real estate market and are ready to sell your house quickly for the highest possible price. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get the most out of selling your home.