Home & Garden: The Art of Home Staging

Staging your home could be the difference between receiving an immediate offer and waiting on the market for months.

“In this buyer’s market, it’s critical that a home is accurately priced and show ready,” said Edmond realtor and resident, Kay Pratt. “It’s a fact that staged homes sell quicker and for more money.” 

Competition is strong and home staging could be your key to a quick and successful sale. “The biggest benefit of home staging is that prospective home buyers are able to see themselves living in a home rather than the current owner and it will often sell faster,” said Edmond Home Stager and Realtor, Kristyn Grewell.

The first impression of a home starts with the front yard. “Studies show that good curb appeal carries a strong to moderate impact on the salability of a home,” said Pratt. “Not only is good curb appeal restful and makes a buyer feel welcome, it can also bring as much as 15% more value to your home.”

Keep the front of your home clean and manicured. “Approach your house from all angles to see it from a buyer’s perspective,” said Grewell. 

“While your home is on the market, consider hiring someone to maintain the yard and landscaping,” Pratt says. “It’s easy to put together a fabulous container of flowers for the porch or replace a drab mailbox with a dramatic new one.” The front door is often the focal point of a home, so consider painting it an inviting color or replacing it.

When staging your home, you’ll first want to de-clutter and de-personalize. This is the least expensive and yet the most challenging home staging suggestion. It can be difficult to remove your personal stamp, but it’s an important strategy in helping buyers see themselves living in the home, instead of you.

Since you’re planning to move anyway, simply box all the family photos up along with any collectibles and put them in storage. “Keep a basket on hand to gather odds and ends that accumulate throughout the day,” says Grewell.

Second, remove unnecessary furniture and make sure your décor is updated and appealing to the general public. “A few large accessories in a room are much better than many small, individual accessories,” Pratt says. She recommends using an attractive display of candles, a tall urn with natural bamboo shoots or a large colorful rug, which adds warmth to a room. Use furnishings that are in good repair and store the rest. Add luxurious pillows and throws to drape over sofas and chairs.

You’ll also want to deep clean your home, windows and carpet. Polish woodwork and perhaps paint the walls a neutral color.

Before a showing, turn on several lamps, set the dining room table and pull furniture in and away from walls to create a cozy atmosphere. Clear small appliances from the countertop Take down menus and schedules from the refrigerator, and keep all personal hygiene items in baskets under the sink.

“If an occupied home is being shown, it’s imperative that the homeowners be gone from the property,” says Pratt. “Buyers feel hesitant to see a home as potentially theirs when the current homeowner is around, even if they’re outside in the backyard.”

Grewell agrees, “I always recommend that homeowners leave the house show ready; beds made, blinds open, counters wiped down, lights on, etc. I think it is best for homeowners to not be home during showings and allow buyers privacy while previewing the home. If that is not possible, sellers should step outside or take a short walk.”

Selling your home can be frustrating, stressful and overwhelming at times. It’s difficult to emotionally detach from your home, but taking advantage of useful staging tips from the experts could get you moved into your new home sooner.

“Experience tells me that it’s better to have a home completely ready than to risk losing a single buyer if a home is shown before it’s time,” said Pratt. “My advice to a seller is always this: less is more. It’s important not only for a home to be clutter-free but to be pleasantly appealing to the eye so exhausted buyers can mentally move in.”

To list your home with Kay Pratt, call 641-5754. To reach Kristyn Grewell for home staging or listing assistance, call 615-2796.