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The Definitive Guide to Staging Your Home

The property market can be very competitive, even cut throat in some areas of the UK. So, when it comes to putting your home up for sale, you’ll want to make an effort as soon as possible. That’s why many sellers are now spending time ‘staging’ their houses, which basically means ensuring they look their best.

Here’s our guide to staging your home, and how doing so could help you land a quick sale.

Selling can be a slow process

There’s no getting away from it, many factors have hit the UK housing market, from the tightening of lending guidelines to political uncertainty. The good news is, currently the average time to sell a property is 55 days. The bad news is that the selling time can vary depending on where you live in the UK. Even if you are in an area where properties get snapped up immediately, don’t be too complacent. You never know what the competition will be like or what factors might suddenly affect the sale of your home, so it’s still imperative to make your home as attractive as possible.

Ways to stage your home

There are many different ways your home can be staged, but whichever way you choose, ‘staging’ just means showing your home in the best possible light. In some cases, it simply means decluttering and moving things around, while some people go as far as changing room colours and renting furniture. For homes at the higher end of the market, you can even hire a professional who’ll really show off the best features of your property.

Here are some of the steps you should go through when staging a home.

Get objective opinions about your home

Your home is your castle, and no doubt you’ve carefully chosen every aspect, from the colour of your paintwork to the carpets. However, taste is subjective, so it’s important to get some outside opinions. As estate agents we are very good at this, as we know what sells a home and what might be setting it back – don’t forget, we hear unfiltered opinions when we show people around your property.

Look at similar homes in your area that have sold quickly and note their interior design, layout and their general vibe. In certain areas, particular styles of home will sell faster, so pay attention to what buyers are looking for.

Set a budget

Prices for home staging can vary wildly, from practically zero if you’re just sprucing up your home yourself, to thousands of pounds if you’re staging a luxury property and employing the services of a professional. If you’re serious about staging and are going to rent furniture and decorate certain rooms, it’s not unrealistic to spend a couple of thousand pounds. While this sounds like a lot, keep in mind that it’s just a small percentage of your asking price, so it might be worth the investment.

Focus on the important rooms

You may not have the budget to stage your entire home, so focus on rooms that really matter. Our experience tells us that the living room is the most important room to stage, followed by the master bedroom, as these are usually the first photos seen within your online property listing.

When it comes to living areas, decluttering and maximising light should be a priority, ensuring they look as large as possible. However, don’t feel as though you have to remove all the personality from the room. A few family photos, cushions and throws keep a cosy, liveable feel without cluttering. Bathrooms should have neatly folded towels, and kitchens should have a bowl of fresh fruit or some fresh flowers on display.

Get the right furniture for the space

The layout of your furniture is one of the key elements of staging. You want to create space, yet still keep the room looking functional. Stripping rooms of furniture can sometimes be a negative for buyers. For example, if they see a bedroom without a bed in it, they may be wondering whether their king-size will fit, or whether they’ll be constantly bashing their knees on it. Certain pieces of furniture are the focal point of a room, and if they’re looking a bit tired or worn-out, then it drags down the room. If your sofa has been well worn by children and dogs, consider putting it in storage and renting a nice modern one whilst you’re having viewings.

Staging your home isn’t as complex as it sounds. It largely involves making your home as appealing as possible to as many buyers as possible, which in turn will help it sell faster. Whether you do it yourself or bring in a professional, it could mean your home spends less time on the market!

For more advice on property matters, contact the team at Warren Powell-Richards or call in and see us.