When it comes to staging a listing you may be thinking: is it worth it? Especially if you’re in a hot seller’s market, staging can seem like a waste of time and energy. The house is going to sell no matter what, right?
But what if staging a home could get your listing to sell for more money? According to a study from Homelight, 67% of top agents say that home staging helps a seller fetch more money for their house at resale. That’s what we like to hear. And sellers like to hear it, too.
We chatted with one of Kansas City’s top stagers, Helen Bartlett of Refined Interior Staging Solutions, about her top tips for staging a home to sell. Helen has been a stager in Kansas City for years, has written a book about home staging, and has even been featured on HGTV’s KC-based show, Bargain Mansions.
Our biggest takeaway from her expert advice? The smallest changes can have a huge impact on the space. And, yes, those changes are well worth it in the end.
Tip #1: Know your ideal buyer
“One of my biggest staging tips is: Know who your demographic buyer is!” says Helen.
When you’re selling a house, the house becomes the product. You need to market the “product” to appeal to your ideal buyer demographic in order to get top dollar. That means: just because you think a house full of antique furniture looks amazing doesn’t mean your ideal buyer does. Instead of focusing on what you like when staging, now is the time to think about how your ideal buyer wants to live in the space and cater to that.
Tip #2: Update the space
“Painting [rooms] and updating light fixtures is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make a big impact on how a buyer sees your house,” says Helen. These simple changes can make the home look fresh and relevant, without you having to redecorate the entire house. Staging doesn’t have to be complicated! Just a few small updates can make a huge difference.
Tip #3: Edit the space
If you don’t have the budget or desire to update dated furnishings, just remove them from the space! “Simply ‘editing’ and removing what is not necessary can change how a space will look and feel,” Helen says.
Anything in a room that isn’t necessary for defining the space should go. Baskets, decor items, extra wall decor…if it’s “extra”, pack it up. The more open you make a space, the bigger it looks. When a buyer feels like they are getting more bang for their buck, and a bigger house, they are willing to pay more!
Tip #4: Give each space purpose
Be sure that when you’re staging, each space has a purpose and that purpose is clear. If you have a dining room-turned-playroom, it needs to be a dining room again. And take the treadmill out of the master bedroom, Helen says. The master bedroom should feel like a retreat and not send mixed messages as to what its purpose is.
If you have an empty room to work with, create a space that caters your ideal buyer. Young professional? Create an “office” space. Young family? Create a play or craft room. Giving each room in the home a clear purpose will create more perceived value for your dream buyer.
Tip #5: Create focal points
Make your home shine by creating focal points that show off the best of each room in the house. If it’s an architectural focal point like a fireplace or a beautiful wall of windows, arrange the room so that your buyer will notice that first when entering a room.
“If your room doesn’t have an architectural focal point, then create one so that when a buyer enters that space, they notice what defines this space,” Helen says. This will set your house apart from the competition and will ensure the buyer remembers each and every special feature of the home.
Staging a home can be as simple as editing a room, or changing a few lighting fixtures. However you choose to stage your listing, remember that a little extra time and money spent making it look its best can make a huge difference for potential buyers.
Happy staging!
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