Buying and selling of properties is one of the biggest investments people make. Just like any other consumer product, the way properties are perceived and presented should be given much consideration. When selling your home or investment property, attention to detail is all that matters. Almost all realtors report that clients are influenced by home staging. In fact, statistics show that most homes which are professionally staged end up bringing around 4% more than the expected price. The National Association of Realtors reports that staged homes, averagely sell 67% faster than un-staged or vacant homes.
Successful home selling requires an objective mindset. Homeowners should put themselves in the buyer’s shoes. This way, they realize that for their home value to improve, they should make a great first impression. Visual psychology plays a crucial role in attracting real estate buyers’ attention. The biggest mistake made by inexperienced real estate agents and home sellers is ignoring visual psychology. Home sellers should take to account that most investors form an opinion about a house within the first 7-10 seconds upon arriving. Distracting them at this point is the last thing you need, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Regardless of what is going on in the real estate market, whenever you want to sell your home, there are two rules to follow which assure a quick sale; make it look amazing and price it well. Your home’s appearance should be flawless regardless of the asking price. Your main objective is to make potential clients envision the property as theirs the moment they walk in. Create a space that will make clients connect emotionally to the house. For you to effectively do this, you must make your home attractive and impersonal to stimulate the client’s visual acuity.
Too many possessions and furniture make it difficult for investors to concentrate on the house for sale. The more they see in a room, the less they process, in other words, they get a stimulus overload. People do not see anything where there is too much to see. Home staging minimizes your home’s weak points and emphasizes on its strengths. You will want to start with basic repairs and cleaning.
5 Essential Elements of Home Staging
1. Decluttering
A clutter free home is spaciously presented to potential buyers. It keeps their minds focused on the property. For instance, a closet stuffed with stored items or clothes may convey limited storage. Use the time your home is listed to get rid of stuff that aren’t in use. You may toss, donate or sell rarely used items. Additionally, reduce countertop stored items. Place them in cupboards instead.
2. Depersonalizing
It is crucial to make a potential buyer imagine themselves living in your house. They shouldn’t be able to discern a lot about the current inhibitors. For this reason, it is vital that trophies, awards, and personal photos are tucked away. Personal effects distract prospective buyers, instead give them the opportunity to visualize their new life in your house.
3. Furniture positioning
Apart from replacing or removing outdated furnishing, do away with all extra pieces. Break up your sets, the time of matching furniture is long gone. Oversize coffee tables, couches, and chairs have to go. If you can’t substitute them with smaller pieces, dispose of as much as you can.
4. Color and lighting
Open up draperies and blinds to ensure there is sufficient natural light everywhere in the house. Keep in mind that lighting is very effective in setting a mood.
5. Applying a fresh coat of paint
This is by far the most important aspect of home staging. Applying a fresh coat of paint complements the home and architecture. Repainting quickly refreshes dull rooms. For the broadest appeal, neutralize strong colors. Extremely bright colors may turn buyers away. Go with blue or neutral green for bathrooms and taupe or beige for living spaces.
Remember, sellers who spend $500 on home staging recover over 300% of the cost when they sell their homes.
If you are staging your home and would like to freshen the paint, give C.E.T. Painting a call. We offer free estimates and color consultations. Please visit our website or call (914) 615-1415 for an appointment.