By Hannah Minnick, Content Strategist & Copywriter
In today's competitive real estate market, standing out to prospective buyers is crucial, making a home's visual appeal a significant part of a successful sale. One of the most powerful tools real estate agents have at their disposal is home staging, and this is an area where BHS East Side agent Louise Devlin is particularly well-versed.
“I grew up in a family who owned a real estate firm and an interior design studio, which provided a remarkable foundation for my career in real estate. Staging and refreshing spaces were part of the day-to-day conversations in our childhood home which enables me to easily envision a property’s ultimate potential today.” - Louise Devlin
What is Home Staging?
Home staging involves preparing a property for sale by highlighting its strengths, with the goal to create an inviting atmosphere that helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the home. This may involve rearranging furniture, decluttering, or bringing in temporary furnishings and decor. Staging emphasizes the best aspects of a property, helping it stand out in listings and showings.
Why First Impressions Matter
When buyers walk into a property, the first few seconds can make or break their interest. A staged home creates a welcoming and positive atmosphere, allowing buyers to focus on the home’s potential rather than the distraction of an empty space. A well-staged home provides an emotional connection, helping buyers envision their ideal home. This can lead to quicker offers, higher bids, and a more efficient sale process.
“Home staging and refreshing listings accelerate the selling process by making properties more visually appealing to potential buyers which in turn helps them connect and often move forward with the space." - Louise Devlin
When it comes to a listing’s online presence, a staged home is also guaranteed to photograph better, giving agent’s an advantage both in person and online. Visually appealing listing photos not only cause an increase in traffic, but it entices prospective buyers to take the extra step in scheduling a viewing of the property.
How Staging Increases Perceived Value
Staging a home can also increase the perceived value of a property tremendously, with buyers often willing to pay more for a home that looks move-in ready. A staged home helps justify a higher asking price by showing the home in its best possible light. Research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has shown that staged homes can sell for up to 5% more than their non-staged counterparts.
“Although this traditionally involves an upfront cost, the expenditure is customarily paid back two-fold by increasing the property's perceived value, often leading to a higher sale price and a shorter time on the market. I have acquired my own staging furniture and props and offer my staging services for free to my sellers and I also liaison with my go-to contractor. My sellers just pay for the prep work. My business has expanded considerably, ever since offering these services. I enjoy the transformations immensely as well. It’s a win-win situation for all." - Louise Devlin
Staging Speeds Up the Selling Process
Time is money in real estate, and a home that sits on the market too long can ultimately lead to price reductions. Staging has been proven to reduce the time a property spends on the market. According to a study by the Real Estate Staging Association, homes that are staged spend an average of 73% less time on the market compared to non-staged homes. The faster a property sells, the more efficient and successful the agent's work becomes, allowing them to move on to the next listing.
According to a survey conducted by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, cited in this article penned by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), staging has helped "sell homes three to 30 times faster" and can "increase the sale price by up to 20% on average."
Staging Helps Agents Stand Out
Just as it has benefitted Louise significantly throughout her real estate career, home staging is a proven strategy for success. By creating an inviting and visually appealing atmosphere within listings, staging a home is an effective marketing tool that when utilized, can help agents close deals and further boost their value within the competitive real estate market.
Home staging is not merely an expense- it's a crucial investment that pays off by attracting prospective buyers, higher offers, and reducing the time a property spends on the market. For real estate agents looking to maximize the effectiveness and value of their listings, home staging should be a key aspect of the selling strategy.
