Home staging is defined as the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. 
The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. Staging techniques focus on improving a property’s appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want’.
Known locally as property or home styling, home staging is more ‘art’ than an act. It is far more than just changing the cushions or the color of the doona. Done correctly, it can mean the difference between an interested viewer and the buyer who falls in love with your home at first sight.
The Selling Cycle
Selling a staged home offers a variety of benefits for home owners. These include:
- Better online photos
- More people at open homes
- A more motivated vendor (seller)
- A more motivated agent
- Happier buyer
- Faster sale
- Higher price
Better online photos stimulate buyer interest and draw more people to your open home. The heightened interest and activity motivates and invigorates both vendor and agent. The more attention your home-for-sale receives, the more desirable it is to buyers.
In the perfect scenario, more than one buyer is willing to make a firm offer and the price is pushed upwards. Both agent and vendor are looking for a speedy sale at the right price. The highest bidder with the best terms wins. Ideally the successful buyer is happier because their new home seems more ‘special’ as a result of staging.
Industry Growth
Recent TV home renovation programs, such as The Block and The Renovators, outline the benefits of styling. This has stimulated an interest in staging and highlights the importance of property styling in marketing homes-for-sale.
And the word is spreading fast… On the Gold Coast there’s a growing awareness among vendors of the benefits of home staging over DIY property presentations or a ‘lived-in’ presentation. Lorena Chiappara, an agent with Ray White Robina Varsity agrees.
“Today’s buyer views on average 18 homes before making a buying decision. They are more educated and expect a higher standard,” she said.
Gold Coast agents are recommending that vendors spend on property styling first, rather than dropping their price later. The top agents recognize this and have stylists as an integral part of their team.
“More and more home owners are awakening to the fact that ‘presentation sells’,” said Lorena.
Professionally presenting your home for sale can achieve stunning results in well-maintained occupied homes, vacant properties or deceased estates at any price point.
At the end of the day, an investment of (for example), $5,000 to make a property stand out in the marketplace can be far more attractive to both agents and sellers, rather than accepting a long stay on the market or a large drop in price.
Of course, once your house has sold – contact MiniMovers so we can make moving house easy.
More before and after photos available at www.showsell.com.au or you can contact Tracey on 0401 312 323.
The Author
Tracey McLeod is the Chief Executive Officer of Showsell Pty. Ltd. featuring Showhomes – exceptional quality home decorators specializing in homes-for-sale and interior decoration – Brisbane and Gold Coast. Tracey has presented 4BCs Real Estate Show with Kevin Turner.
Acknowledgements
Photos courtesy of Showsell Pty. Ltd.
‘Before’ Photo – David Elliston
‘After’ Photo – Light Art Media
