The kitchen of this exclusive Stone House Properties listing in Lenox, MA , is staged to show off the beautiful and spacious stone counters.
The real estate landscape in the Berkshires and Upper Hudson Valley continues to be challenged by low inventory and high buyer demand, creating a market that presents certain advantages to sellers.
If you’re considering listing your home for sale, a Stone House Properties broker can work with you to get the best price possible, starting with a customized marketing plan we’ll design for your property.
Our affiliations with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) and Luxury Portfolio International® allow us to market your home nationally and internationally as well as locally.
One aspect of home selling your Stone House Properties broker may discuss with you is home staging.
And it’s no wonder. A recent survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® shows that home staging plays an integral part of the home-selling process.
The NAR 2021 Profile of Home Staging reported that:
- 47 percent of buyers’ agents said home staging an effect on most buyers’ view of a home
- 82 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for buyers to envision a proeprty as their future home
- 23 percent of buyers’ agents said that home staging increased the dollar value offered by up to 5 percent
Staging a home can include everything from sprucing up the landscaping to making a home look fresh and clean.
As we head into the spring selling season, we’re sharing these ten essential home-staging tips. Keep in mind that for best results, all of these tips should be applied before the all-important listing photos are taken.
1. Improve Curb Appeal
- Keep lawns moved and as green as possible.
- Clear garden beds of winter debris and put down fresh mulch.
- Plant flowers and bulbs.
- Trim and prune shrubs.
- Check house numbers and replace if weather-beaten.
2. Declutter and Depersonalize
- Pack away family photos, memorabilia, and collections.
- Edit walls, tabletops, and bookcases.
- Remove personal items from bathrooms.
- Open up as much floor space as possible.
3. Pare Down Furniture and Decor
- Make sure rooms are not over-furnished.
- Remove furniture that is old, worn, or in need of repair.
- Replace heavy drapes with lightweight curtains or blinds.
4. Clear Kitchen Surfaces
- Stow away small appliances.
- Clear out dishwashing equipment such as sponges, brushes, and dishwashing liquid.
- Remove items such as utensil holders, cookie jars, knife blocks, and potholders.
- Make sure dishes and cookware are put away.
5. Stage Essential Rooms
- Follow the example in the NAR home-staging report.
- The most commonly staged rooms were the living room, kitchen, primary bedroom, and dining room
- Outfit one room as a home office. The study found that 39 percent of sellers included a work-from-home space.
6. Repaint in Neutral Colors
- Neutral colors can make rooms look brighter and larger.
- If your home has an open floor plan on the first floor, consider choosing the same neutral tone for all rooms.
7. Focus on Lighting
- Tour your home to make sure all ceiling fixtures are in perfect working order.
- Replace lightbulbs with warmer, brighter choices.
- Make sure each room has plenty of light from ceiling fixtures or lamps.
- Have professional listing photos taken on a sunny day when rooms are most flooded with natural light.
8. Clean and Refresh
- Clean windows in advance of listing photos, inside and out, to allow the most natural light to enter the interior of your home.
- Make sure every room of your home is spotlessly clean.
- Remember to clean screens, doors, and woodwork throughout your home.
- Bathroom sinks, faucets, and fixtures should be shining clean.
9. Set the Stage
Home staging can define a room’s purpose, helping a buyer to visualize the property as their future home. That’s why home stagers do the following:
- Set the dining room table for dinner.
- Place wine glasses in a sunroom.
- In the primary bedroom, dress the bed with a new comforter, a cozy throw, and pillows that convey relaxation and comfort.
- Although the NAR home-staging study reported that the least common room to stage was a child’s bedroom, consider staging a bonus room as a play area.
10. Erase Odors
A staged home for sale looks its best in listing photos taken by a professional photographer. However, when buyers view your home in person, make sure the home smells as fresh as it looks. You’ll want to eradicate pet odors and cooking odors, for example.
A Stone House Properties broker can advise you on the best way to stage your particular property. Is now the time for you to list your home for sale? Contact one of our expert brokers today to get started!
