Selling Tips - Guide to Staging Your Property

This is the first in a series of guides designed to help you to sell your property at the right price and quickly.

Home Staging
The sale of your home is usually decided within minutes of viewers walking through the front door.

First impressions count, so do all you can to maximise the impact on potential buyers. Below are suggestions to create that wow factor and therefore help you to prepare your house for sale to improve your ability to achieve your asking price.

A property industry trade body claims 85 per cent of agents believes a ‘staged’ property sells three times faster than a non-staged home.

The Home Staging Association says research for a new report shows that staging costs of £500 to £5,000 will produce higher sale prices.

“Seventy per cent of agents stated home staging increased the offer value by one to 10 per cent, with 16 per cent reporting a seven to 10 per cent rise in offer value” it says.

“In addition 77 per cent of developers saw a return in their investment, reporting that the sale of the property paid for the cost of staging, highlighting how professional staging often is the best choice financially for homeowners” it continues.

The association’s research suggests that 74 per cent of agents consider the reception room as the most important to be staged for a sale, with another 10 per cent choosing the kitchen,
and a further 10 per cent stating the master bedroom.

Example of a cluttered house

Declutter

Declutter all rooms and remove any personal items so that the buyer can imagine themselves living there by taking away any distraction from the room itself.  Make sure to pay close attention to detail in the kitchen and bathrooms, as this can make or break a potential sale. Both rooms set the mood for the rest of the home.

Buyers are often looking for more room and how their personal items will look in the house, so pack away anything that creates visual clutter such as ornaments, toys, or excess pieces of furniture to create a feeling of space and order.

Finish DIY projects
Unfinished DIY jobs could be used as a potential bargaining tool to negotiate a lower price. Most buyers will be looking to just move in, and will be reluctant to spend time or money completing your unfinished projects.

Redecorate where necessary
A neutrally decorated, well-presented house can add great value to your asking price. Invest in fresh paint to clean up scuff marks, or to lighten up rooms currently painted in a vivid colour which may not be to a buyers taste.

Neutral colours create a more soothing environment and allow the buyer to imagine their own style in the home.  If redecorating, grey or white walls & grey carpets tend to be popular now so likely to appeal to the mass market.

You need to be able to stand out from the competition on property portals so use brightly coloured soft furnishing, accessories & artwork in photographs to ensure your property jumps off the page!

Clean, clean and clean again
A sparkling, sweet-smelling home creates a good impression. Clean all bathrooms, the kitchen, polish windows, dust all surfaces, hoover the floors and make sure animal and cigarette odours are eradicated by removing cigarette butts and feeding bowls. Ideally pets should be removed too as some viewers may be allergic to cats and dogs.

Define the space
If you have 3 bedrooms they must be presented as 3 bedrooms, not 2 bedrooms and a box room. If you have a lounge and a separate dining area they need to be presented as such rather than a lounge and children’s playroom.

Furniture Placement
Minimal furniture will show off the space in each room, while allowing the buyer to imagine their own furniture in the property. Place living room furniture around the natural focal point in the room, such as a fireplace or feature wall.

Presentation
Try to see your property through the eyes of a potential buyer. Take photographs of each room and then look at them objectively. It will become obvious what needs to change, whether it be de-cluttering or re-positioning furniture. During viewings turn the lights on and display vases of flowers, bowls of fresh fruit and scented candles.

Lighting
Lamps, lamps, lamps! Every room should at least have one lamp in it to create mood lighting. This creates a homely feel and the perfect vibe for selling your home.

Kerb Appeal
Buyers will form an opinion within the first 5 seconds of entering a property so ensure the exterior of the property looks well maintained and welcoming. Tidy the garden, remove weeds, mow the lawn, hide the dust bins and park cars elsewhere. Add colour with plant pots or hanging baskets. Repaint the front door if necessary.

Hallways and Entrances
If a room is dark or lacking interest add a mirror. It will completely transform a space. Not only does a mirror reflect light, it mirrors the room, making it feel double the size. Allow potential viewers to literally ‘see’ themselves in the house by placing a mirror in the hallway. Tidy away all coats, shoes and bags to ensure it is clutter free.

Set the table
A set table helps to capture the imagination of the view. They can then see themselves holding dinner parties or sitting down with friends & family. It also looks fantastic in the photos.

Mentally move out
This is the most important thing you can do. You have decided to move on so do all you can to achieve a quick and profitable sale. Don’t worry if the presentation of your house is not to your taste as you’ll soon be moving on and can look forward to creating a space to suit you in your new home!

Don’t see staging your property for sale as an upfront cost. It is an investment. Spend a little to make a lot in the sale, You should achieve not only a quicker sale, but a higher sale price.

Example of property staged to sell

Next tips ... photography - make it professional