You need to be a little more careful about making sure your house looks its best when you sell it now that buyers have more options. One great way to do that is with staged items.
What Is Home Staging?
Not to make your house look really cool or like it belongs in a magazine. Making it feel warm and ready to move into will make it easy for buyers to picture themselves living there.
It’s important to know that staging can be different. Changes as small as tweaks or as big as full setups are possible, depending on your needs and budget. But putting some time, effort, and money into this process can really help you sell, especially in the market we’re in now.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) did a study that shows staged homes sell faster and for more money than homes that aren’t staged (see below):
Which Rooms Matter Most?
Most likely, you won’t need to stage your whole house to make a difference. Here’s where NAR says buyers’ agents say staging can make the most difference (see graph below):
Agents who talk to buyers all the time agree that the most important rooms to stage are the ones where buyers will spend the most time, like the kitchen, living room, and main bedroom.
Some things may be worth it and some probably aren’t, but this isn’t as good as getting help from a real estate agent in your area.
How an Agent Helps You Decide What You Need To Do
Agents know exactly what buyers want in your area because they hear it all the time from other agents, during showings, home tours, as well as walkthroughs. They’ll then use what they’ve learned to give you their opinion on your house and suggest ways to improve its staging, such as whether you need to:
- Take down pictures and other personal items to declutter and make it less personal.
- Move your furniture around to make the room feel bigger and better connected.
- Place plants, art, or other items in a different order.
A lot of buyers only need to hear how to stage the house from the agent. A good agent will be able to tell you if hiring a professional stager is also a good idea if your home needs more work or if it’s empty and would look better with some rented furniture. Know that getting that much help will cost you more. The NAR says:
“The average amount of money spent on a staging service was $1,500, while the average amount spent on staging by the sellers’ agent was $500.”
A real estate agent in your area can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your budget, timeline, and the condition of your home as a whole. They will also look at how quickly nearby homes that are similar to yours are selling and what buyers are looking for at your price range.
Bottom Line
It’s not necessary for staging to be expensive or over the top. It only needs to make people feel at home. A good agent will also help you figure out what level of staging will help you reach your goals.