Home staging: 33 techniques to sell the house faster

Home staging

Today, the real estate market offers many opportunities to rent or buy a home with a varied price range and construction qualities, so the competition is really fierce when it comes to selling a property.

Although the sale price of a property remains one of the most determining factors, there are other elements that also influence the decisions of the future buyer or tenant, and here is where the different home staging techniques come into play with the intention of speeding up the process of selling a property.

The goal of home staging is to speed up the purchase or rental of a property

What is home staging

They are a series of techniques imported from the United States whose primary objective is to get the most out of a property that is for rent or sale through an image improvement process, with the intention of winning over the potential buyer or tenant and selling the house faster.

The home staging techniques (The so-called professional home stager) were actually adopted in Spain as a result of the construction crisis, where the real estate market offered a significant portfolio of properties for sale and few future buyers.

The basis is to depersonalize the home with the idea of giving it a sense of neutrality, allowing it to capture the attention of a wide range of potential buyers, it is like a marketing tool focused on the real estate market of buying and selling properties.

The International Association of Home Staging Professionals (which you can consult HERE) has different relevant reports and infographics with very interesting data. Among them, the advantages from the perspective of the numbers, which are undoubtedly very favorable!

Access the complete infographic and more data from HERE.

Tips, advantages and benefits of home staging

• It is proven that your potential buyer decides, one way or another, as soon as they start the visit to your home, within the first ninety seconds.
• Home staging creates open, organized, comfortable, clean, tidy, fresh, well-lit spaces with a pleasant atmosphere that facilitate the decision the potential buyer makes in the first ninety seconds of the visit to be the one that interests you the most.

• Among the benefits of home staging, it can be applied in offices, commercial premises, new homes, second-hand, furnished or empty.
• If the interested visitor enters a clean, well-lit space with a pleasant atmosphere it will be easy for them to imagine living in it.
• A home that has gone through a home staging before and after process gains in the number of visits it receives and in the speed with which it is sold or rented at the best possible price, as it leaves very few points to negotiate.
• As a general rule, real estate staging increases the value of your home. A better perception of the property, both for rent and for the potential buyer.
• The result of home staging is neutral environments, which invite you to enjoy them as your own from the first moment.

• In times of real estate crisis, it is essential to give your home added value so that whoever enters it feels at home.
• It is a service focused on improving the first impression of your home to be able to sell or rent it more quickly.
• Home staging techniques do not imply making major renovations to your home.
• Use simple changes in furniture, space organization, decoration, and presentation of the home.
• Statistics show that homes that have undergone a home staging process sell much faster.
• The home staging is a different strategy from the typical one of lowering the price of the home, without the need for a significant economic investment.
• You can achieve great results with the application of very simple techniques and codes.

• Make your property stand out compared to other homes for sale or rent in the same area.
• A prepared house receives many more visits than one that is not prepared.
• 90% of buyers cannot imagine the potential of your home if they don’t see it… don’t sell or rent empty homes!!
• Around 94% of potential buyers conduct their searches online.
• Homes where these techniques have been applied sell between 65% and 85% faster.
• 75% of homes for sale in the United States go through a home staging preparation in the houses before being put up for sale.
• The investment in carrying out an action in your home will always be less than the price reduction you are forced to make.
• You may not be able to see your home objectively when selling or renting it.

• Another tip, hiring a home staging professional (home stager) you can get the most out of your home.
• Showing good photos of your home will make it stand out among all its competition.
• You have to give your potential buyers a good reason to choose your home, showing them your home properly presented and thus, you will stand out among your competition.
• Only 10% of potential buyers can visualize the potential of your property, which is another reason why these techniques are becoming essential.
• Successful real estate agencies know that the answer to compete in their sector is to carry out an action with a professional home stager.
• In any house, an action can be carried out regardless of its size, state of conservation, or sale price.
• The investment that you may incur in carrying out a home staging in housing is minimal compared to the potential increase in profit when selling it.

How long does it take to sell a property

If the goal is to speed up the process of selling or renting a property. The first logic is to know how long it takes to sell a property.

!And be careful! The issue of renting homes quickly is not always so easy and no one guarantees you will be paid every month. We recommend seeing a secure rental to avoid scares and have payment guarantees.

Although we can find different reference reports, from the technical perspective and data accuracy, we must go to the statistics of the largest appraiser in Spain, Tinsa (IMIE Local Markets Reports), where quarterly they provide relevant reports HERE.

We find ourselves with the map that will provide us with very interesting data. By provinces, the average time to sell a property. (We recall the article on tips for buying houses where we also explain how to calculate the price of a home simply)

• 13 Consejos para comprar casas con buen precio

Note: The property buying and selling market does offer real data, both in terms of profile, economic issues, or sales times. If we talk about renting, there are actually no real statistics but rather “conjectures”, so we will not address them in this article.

What is the buyer’s profile

The second point is to know the profile of the future buyer and what they are looking for, what their concerns are, how long they have been looking for a property…etc. One of the best reports circulating on the internet is the Planner – ST report. Sociedad de Tasaciones in the analysis of the profile of home buyers from the web HERE.

From the report, data can be extracted such as; the age distribution of buyers, when the active search process for a home began, how many bedrooms are sought in a property, the type of housing typology, whether they need financing or not…etc. An endless amount of information that will be very useful to characterize the property we are going to sell.

Home staging techniques and tips

As we have already generally analyzed the future buyer profile, now it is time to see some ideas and tips on home staging to increase the chances of sale and how to apply them in a property:

1. The house with a marked style. Before starting to change the style or decoration of the home and adapt it, if we really have a house with a very marked style, either we respect it or we make a complete change. No patches!

   

2. This technique should be taken as a theater. The goal is to prepare a scene so that nothing is casual and to convey a feeling. What we are trying to do is show the potential client the possibilities of the property.
3. We have to visualize the purpose of the home. A flat located in a city is not the same as a country house. The purposes of acquiring these homes are usually different, the first would be a habitual residence and the second, usually, a vacation home so we could make “happier” changes and more rustic environments. For example, use a greater number of plants, emphasize outdoor areas, porches…etc.
4. Pets out of the house. Remember that we must avoid distracting the client during the visit to the property and of course, we may have a buyer who does not like animals and affects with wrong perceptions. Be careful with pet odors… it can be big!
5. You need more opinions. When we live in a house for a long time, we tend to lose the real vision, so we should ask someone external for an honest opinion, of all the good and all the bad.
6. Empty properties, no thanks!… In home staging, the client must be able to imagine the real dimensions of the rooms so that they can clearly visualize the utility of the spaces. Most people are unable to imagine a possible distribution without furniture.

   

7. All rooms must have a utility. Having an empty room without a determined use is a mistake; we can say it is an office (we place a table and chair) or the children’s playroom, but not that it is a storage room. Storage rooms are assimilated to spaces of disorder and dirt, and we want to avoid bad feelings (See tips for renting a storage room).
8. Spaces must be ventilated and fresh. It is recommended to renew the air for 10 minutes before the clients arrive (especially in the rooms). We can also use mild air fresheners, but remember they should be of quality, and some experts even advise putting the coffee maker on a few minutes before the client’s entry. Everyone likes the smell of coffee!
9. Choose neutral and bright colors. Now is not the time to experiment with that “fun” lime green. But that doesn’t mean you have to put everything white. Shades of gray or light browns are suitable.
10. Lighting is important. The home must be well-lit. Open the blinds, open curtains (if they are deteriorated better remove them). The intention is to eliminate dark corners and it is always better to show the home on days that are not rainy and cloudy.
11. Be careful with the curtains. Not everyone likes curtains, so if they are a bit deteriorated remove them or replace them with roller blinds that are more effective for light entry and provide a sense of cleanliness and free space. (See article on tips on fabrics and textiles for the home)
12. Clear rooms. The spaces of the home must convey lightness, so the fewer furniture the better or rather just enough. We will also have a feeling of a spacious home. (See 15 tips for minimalist decoration)
13. What is left over to the storage room. Those belongings or furniture that are left over in the home must be removed from it, it is not worth leaving them in a room or in a closet.
14. Neutral furniture. Remember that we are trying to capture a wide range of future buyers so the furniture must be with a neutral design (also colors) and preferably with straight lines. No ornaments and no knobs!
15. Furniture placed symmetrically. Symmetrical arrangements usually work well and give a sense of order. It is also interesting to always create a cozy and relaxing area where the future buyer can see themselves sitting relaxed.
16. Dining table style. The dining room is often a blind spot in home decoration. A large dining table can look bare and unattractive. An oversized arrangement can look too stiff and formal, so try placing a series of smaller containers in the center of the table or set the table but without being too ostentatious. (Remember that we also have the article on how to decorate a dining room with good ideas)

    

17. Clear hallways. Remember that hallways by themselves are quite narrow and can give the client a “feeling of overwhelm”. If they are long, use paintings with vertical elements or some elongated figure vertically to break the feeling of long distance.
18. Avoid personal belongings. Personal objects should not appear in the house (photos, medications, souvenirs, clothes… etc). The intention is simple, for the client to be able to project their own home.
19. Broken objects out. Avoid having broken objects in view that cause the impression that the house is in poor condition.
20. The best allies are plants and candles. Practically everyone loves plants and candles, they bring a sense of joy and home. So they should be used, but not excessively!
21. Enhance the strong points. In general, we have the habit of adding objects in places that really do not need it and that hinder the client’s vision of an area that can be a selling point. For example, the typical rug over a quality parquet.
22. Order sells. Although it may seem silly, sales rates are higher in those homes where there is order. Both in the kitchen, all rooms, the bathroom, or inside the closets, to give examples. (See Feng Shui at home)
23. Cleaning is important. Deep cleaning of the house, so that dirt, dust, etc. do not distract the buyer.
24. Create a gender-neutral master bedroom. Attract everyone with a clean and tailored master bedroom, free of personal objects and clutter, with a neutral atmosphere, neither masculine nor feminine.
25. Open the closets. It is advised that around 20 to 30% of the closet doors are open. Obviously, all must be tidy in case of having clothes or objects.

    

26. Repair small defects. It is essential to ensure that all elements of the house work correctly; faucets, bulbs, bathrooms, broken tiles, etc. And also that all windows close properly. All these defects can spoil the good image of the property and hinder the sale deal.
27. Invite people to explore the whole house. Placing something that attracts attention at the top of the stairs, in the hallways, or in the corners, can arouse curiosity and keep potential buyers interested throughout the house “tour”. A work of art, a comfortable reading seat under the window, a vase with fresh flowers, a designer pendant light, or even a small colorful rug can serve to attract attention.
28. Outdoor spaces. Whether you have a balcony, terrace, garden, or orchard, they are spaces that sell a lot, so we should not neglect them. Always ready, clean (even if it’s winter), and tidy.
29. Terrace and porch with furniture. Whenever possible, a table and chairs should be placed. Buyers can project how they will spend time enjoying the space.
30. Country homes. Usually, the purpose is to relax and spend a certain time with the family. It is advisable in this type of home to place good pots and vases, wildflowers, next to the fireplace (it is important to light it) a sofa, a soft blanket…etc.
31. Property photographs. It is not enough to have a good mobile phone or camera to know how to convey positive feelings. If when a faucet breaks you call a plumber, then when you need good photographs, you call a professional photographer. A good photo is capable of selling a property (Forget that real estate agencies provide the photos, they know about selling properties not taking photos).
32. Property videos. Keep in mind that a good video sells, but we repeat that there are professionals who are exclusively dedicated to it. Either a good video is made, or not, half measures will provide the client with sensations that will not be adequate. Also, virtual reality is already part of these quick sale techniques.
33. The real estate agent or real estate agency, yes!. These professionals can make the sales process much easier for the seller, as they have experience in selling homes. Obviously, the weak point of real estate agents is that they charge a commission that will have to be deducted from the sale price. For this reason, it will be necessary to evaluate the different real estate agents in terms of the services offered and the cost they charge for them.

It is interesting to review the following video with some tips on home staging:

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