Staging your home for sale or rental
You’ve decided to sell your home in Cheshire or prepare a property for rental so, now it’s time to make it appeal to potential buyers or tenants. To achieve a quick sale or rental, and get the optimum price, staging plays an important role in achieving this. It’s important to create a space that looks attractive, appealing and that buyers and tenants can imagine themselves living in.
What are the benefits of home staging?
Staged properties tend to sell or rent quicker and often for more money. Studies by The Home Staging Association UK & Ireland show that 85 per cent of staged homes sell up to three times faster than a non-staged property. They also sell for 8 per cent more on average, so the investment in home staging will most certainly pay off!
Most people assume that staging a property is just about decluttering and making it look tidy and clean (although this is surely a must!), but it’s also about understanding the psychology behind why we buy or rent a property. The more we can and want to see ourselves living in a property, the more we are willing to pay for it. This desire starts the moment we see the property on Right Move, right through to walking through the gate up the path and then as you enter the front door.
Whether you choose to stage your property yourself or use an experienced interior designer to do this for you, this article will help you understand what aspects appeal most to potential buyers.
Start with a declutter
Most people cannot see beyond what is in front of them, and too much clutter can make a home look smaller and distract potential buyers from seeing the property’s best features and true potential.
In a home, start by decluttering high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen and start clearing inside the cupboards. The more you can sort out your storage areas, the easier it will be to have a home for everything. As you work your way through, create three piles of ‘keep’, ‘donate’ and ‘sell’. Invest in good storage units and boxes to keep the space tidy and ensure everything has a place. The added benefit of doing a declutter now means that you will have less things to pack and organise when you move into your new home.
Try to depersonalise the space as much as possible by storing any sentimental items in a memory box. Avoid having too many personal photographs on display, a few select ones are fine but it’s important to keep surfaces clear as much as possible.
Give each room a purpose
The way in which we use our home has changed so much over the years, especially as so many people now work from home and use their spare bedroom as an office.
If your property is advertised as a four-bedroom home, ensure that buyers are seeing four bedrooms when they view it – rather than three bedrooms and a home office.
Make the entrance to the property inviting
First impressions count and without doubt kerb appeal plays a big part. Pathways and any front garden space should be tidied up, swept clean and weeds removed. Smarten up any gates and ensure the front door looks tidy even if it involves a fresh lick of paint. Additionally some strategically placed planters will add a touch of interest and appeal.
Upon entering the property, the entrance hall should be tidy and inviting. A few well-chosen accessories such as a rug, table lamp, flowers and a candle can create an inviting and welcoming space.
Put your home in the best light
Never underestimate the power of good lighting when it comes to staging your home to help create ambience, warmth and cosiness.
Warm light bulbs help to evoke feelings of comfort, making them perfect for spaces like the living room and bedrooms where you want to create an intimate and inviting ambiance.
Many viewings aren’t carried out during the day so using timer switches to your lamps will ensure your home is well-lit and inviting as soon as the sun sets.
Make use of natural light where possible by opening curtains, blinds and window shutters.
Other garden areas
You don’t have to be green fingered to make your garden look more appealing to potential buyers. A well-manicured lawn and tidy borders that are free from weeds and dead plants will make sure it looks cared for. If you are selling in the autumn or winter months, clear any leaves and ensure your patio and paths are clear of debris and swept clean.
If you don’t have an outdoor seating area – and there is space for one, consider investing in an outdoor furniture set to show the potential for entertaining or relaxing outdoors.
Attend to minor repair work
Buyers can be put off by a property that looks tired and in need of repair – and they may lower their offer. Fix any leaking taps, repaint walls that have marks and scratches, and replace any loose tiles in the bathroom – all those niggling DIY jobs can have a big impact when trying to sell or rent a property. Kitchens and bathrooms come under particular scrutiny and even if fittings are older, ensuring they are clean and tidy will help. Consider if any regrouting or fresh silcicone around baths and sinks will improve their appearance.
Create an emotional connection
Property staging goes beyond just decluttering and making cosmetic improvements, it’s about creating an emotional connection that inspires buyers and tenants to see themselves in your property. This means highlighting your property’s best features and creating a lifestyle that potential buyers can envision themselves living in from the moment they walk through the door.
If you have amazing views to your garden, make a point of highlighting this by opening doors and windows, and strategically position furniture where people can sit and enjoy the view.
If the property has high ceilings, introduce a chandelier or pendant light that will draw attention to the elegance and height of the room.
If you have a large open plan kitchen/diner, stage the space to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that encourages social interaction.
It is often difficult for sellers to strike the right balance between a house that feels and looks lived in but that appeals to potential buyers. This is where a professional home stager with experience in interior design is worth their weight in gold. You don’t have to spend a fortune on getting it right, it’s often making the most of what you already have and what the property offers that can make the biggest difference.
If you are thinking of selling your property, book a home staging consultation with us to find out more about this service.