Selling your house takes months.
One of the few aspects within your control is your property’s staging.
It makes a big difference to the level of interest and final selling price of your property.
Read on to learn more about what it is and how to do it well.
Home staging: Definition
Home staging refers to preparing your house for marketing (especially photographs and videos) and viewings on the open market.
It involves several steps, each contributing to making your house as attractive as possible, including:
- Cleaning and tidying
- Rearranging furniture
- Redecorating, e.g. new ornaments or lampshades
- Gardening
- Adding fresh flowers.
And more.
DIY vs using professional
In the UK, most people stage their homes themselves (the DIY approach).
This might involve outside help, such as professional cleaners or gardeners. But it’s largely done by homeowners themselves, based on what they think makes their property look best.
However, some sellers use professional house staging service.
These professionals use their experience and knowledge to boost your chances of achieving a successful sale.
These are especially popular for selling luxury properties, but regular homeowners are increasingly turning to them.
They will tailor their approach for each property, which might include making changes to:
- Furniture
- Accessories
- Wall and door colours
- Lighting
- Scents.
And more.
The costs for this vary from several hundred to several thousand pounds (or more). It depends on the property type, size, and condition.
But when viewed as an investment in a successful sale, this price is often well worth it.
The importance of home staging
According to a National Association of Realtors study, 77% of buyers say it’s easier to visualise a staged property as a future home.
Staging your house helps you stand out from other properties. This is essential in a slow housing market (in a buyer’s market, for example).
Home staging makes it easier to market your property. Photos will look more attractive on Rightmove, Zoopla and local magazines.
It is also easier for viewers to appreciate every corner and feature of your house when there isn’t litter blocking their way.
When home staging is not important
In some instances, home staging is not important.
For example, cash buying companies and auction houses usually accept your property in any condition.
Common examples include derelict houses or in an otherwise bad condition. Fixing up these kinds of properties does not always yield an ROI.
And some less severe issues can also be unnecessary to fix.
Is home staging compulsory?
No, home staging is not compulsory.
This is especially true for alternative house selling methods, such as cash buyers and auction houses.
However, you may need to stage your house on the open market. Most estate agents will tell you to stage your home in some way.
Most viewers will be considering comparable properties at the same time as yours. Those will likely be staged, too.
So not staging your home risks putting your property at a disadvantage, and you may struggle to sell your home.
Home staging time frames
On average, staging a home takes 1 or 2 days. However, this time frame varies depending on its size and state.
Basic tidying, cleaning and gardening tasks can be done in this time.
For larger projects, home staging can take several weeks.
For example, repainting walls or installing new carpets are difficult to do a quickly.
Furniture for home staging a house
Furniture is often necessary for selling a home.
Different potential buyers have different preferences on this issue. For example, some buyers may want to buy a house with furniture.
Most, however, will have their own furniture and won’t want to remove yours.
If you have furniture in a house, ensure it’s relatively good quality. If not, consider removing it and borrowing or hiring new furniture for viewings.
Ways to do home staging on a budget
There are many ways to stage your house on a budget.
You can ask friends and family to help you make repairs, move furniture, or install large ornaments.
You could even pay them – but at a lower rate than a professional would charge.
Secondly, take advantage of pre-existing features. For example:
- Make use of natural lighting (keep curtains and blinds open during viewings)
- Repositioning mirrors to make your rooms look larger
- Depersonalise the house. For example, put away personal items and make rooms look fit for general purposes.
Virtual staging
Ask your estate agent about ‘virtual staging’.
This process involves using photographic online tours to replace or supplement regular viewings.
Virtual staging platforms can even use editing techniques to present your house with and without furniture.
If done well, this is an excellent way to increase your chances of selling. But if it goes badly, it might reduce your chances.
Platforms such as Rightmove are a great place to showcase this virtual presentation of what your house could look like.
Sell your house fast with We Buy Any Home
You can sell your house fast in any condition within 7 days by going straight to a reliable cash buyer.
We Buy Any Home is one such cash buyer. We have all the funds required to purchase your property up front and without any staging.
Fill in a form below to find out more.
