All About Greenville SC Real Estate

How to Stage a Home for Maximum Sale Value

You're selling your home. You keep hearing about "staging" your home for sale, and you've seen all the shows on television where homes are staged before commanding premium prices. But what exactly is staging, and can you do it on your own?

What Does Staging a Home Mean?

Staging a home involves preparing a house for sale. Staging a home makes it more appealing to buyers, and the goal is to make it appeal to the widest variety of potential buyers. This will allow the owner to sell the property more quickly and for more money.

Can I Stage My Home by Myself?

You can easily stage your home yourself. The first thing to do is to give your home a thorough cleaning. The last thing you want potential buyers to see is a pile of dirty laundry or a sink full of dirty dishes. Toys should also be stowed away, beds should be made, and the house should generally be cleaned.

There are a lot of sources for inspiration. There are hundreds of books, blogs, and videos about how to stage your home. Talk to your realtor about staging; he or she may be willing to give you some tips and tricks for free. 

In addition to visual appeal, make sure your home smells clean and fresh. A good carpet cleaning is an excellent idea to avoid soft surface odors, and baking bread or cookies just before your open house is another good trick as well.

What Are My Other Options?

If you do not wish to stage your home yourself, your realtor should be able to assist you with staging. He or she will either offer this as an add-on service or will provide you with a reference to a reputable staging company who can do it for you.

Be aware that how the home is specifically staged varies widely by the market that you are in. Some homes are staged to be completely empty, with walls painted a neutral color throughout, whereas others are fully furnished and completely designed by an interior decorator. This is why you engage your realtor, as he or she will know the local market best. The last thing you want to do is to spend more on staging than you increase the value of your listing.

Whether you choose to stage your home yourself or to go with a pro, staging your home increases the amount you will be able to list your home for, which means more money at closing.