According to industry insiders and real estate experts, 2024 isn’t the time to skimp on staging your property for sale, and there’s a quite few critical reasons why. While you may save some money upfront by avoiding home staging, the long-term financial consequences could outweigh those short-term savings.
One of the principal reasons is related to the increasingly demanding nature of potential buyers. Today’s prospective homebuyers expect to see an aspirational lifestyle being portrayed in the homes they visit. No longer are they content with viewing mere empty rooms; they want to envision a lifestyle they could potentially lead when they move in. Hence, effective staging can truly help to seal the deal.
A prime factor is linked to the growing role of digital accessibility, like online marketing and virtual tours and they aren’t going away anytime soon. In an increasingly digital world, investing in staging a home helps it stand out on different online platforms, engage potential buyers, and expedite a sale.
Additionally, it’s no secret that the real estate market operates on the principle of supply and demand. With a large influx of houses hitting the market, competition can be intense. Homeowners need to make sure their properties remain a cut above the rest. Professional staging can maximize the appeal of a home, making it more attractive to prospective buyers and increasing its perceived value.
Now, we’ll go a little deeper on why it’s a good strategy not to cut corners on home staging in 2024.
**Not Your Average Home Buyer**
Modern homebuyers have evolved. They’re not just looking for four walls and a roof but a lifestyle they aspire to live. They’re seeking a property that matches their visions of an ideal living environment and lifestyle. Home staging helps sellers present this vision. With the right décor, furniture, and design elements, you are delivering more than just a property, but a dream, a way of life.
**Digital Age and Virtual Tours**
Another influential factor is the vast movement towards digital marketing and virtual walkthroughs. Having an advantage in the digital world is an essential part of property selling strategy. Staged homes look better on websites and social media, draw more interest, and receive more virtual and physical visits. They not only offer a great impression on their online adverts but also come alive in virtual tours.
**Fast-Paced Market**
The real estate market in 2024 is characterized by a fast-paced and competitive environment, intensified by a glut of properties for sale. Hence, sellers need to be strategic to ensure their properties don’t get lost in the crowd. One proven method is through home staging, which highlights the house’s best features, maximizes its perceived value, and enhances its overall appeal.
**Discussing Home Staging’s Financial Impact**
For many sellers, the main question is – does the cost of home staging justify the return? Several studies have shown that the answer is a resounding yes. Home staging can expedite the sales process, which may result in a higher selling price. It’s also been found to influence the speed at which a property is sold – the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that staged homes are sold 73% faster than their non-staged counterparts.
Moreover, a well-staged property appeals to a wide range of potential buyers. This broad appeal could incite competitive bidding, which may increase the final selling price. Industry experts estimate that professionally staged homes can sell for about 6-25% more than non-staged homes.
**Calling On The Pros**
This is your home, and you want to get the most out of it, which is why it’s smart to engage professional help. Professional stagers are trained to maximize a property’s appeal and showcase its best features to potential buyers. They have an excellent understanding of current trends and can offer valuable insights and advice on what will best resonate with buyers.
**Do-It-Yourself Home Staging**
If hiring a professional stager isn’t an option, there are several things sellers can do to prepare their homes for the market.
The first strategy is decluttering. A cluttered space can give the impression of a lack of room or storage. Less clutter makes spaces feel larger, cleaner, and more attractive. Depersonalizing the space is equally important. Buyers should not feel they are walking into someone else’s home, but rather their future living space.
Next, cleaning and making minor repairs can greatly improve the impression of the house. A dirty home can be a significant turn-off for buyers. A spotless, well-maintained home shows potential buyers that the property has been cared for. Small fixes such as repairing dripping taps or patching holes in walls can yield positive impressions.
Lastly, strategic furniture placement can influence how spacious and inviting a room feels. For instance, in living rooms, furniture should be arranged in conversational groups with plenty of walking space in between.
To sum it up, cutting corners on home staging is not advised in 2024. As the property market remains competitive, it’s more crucial than ever for sellers to pull out all the stops to attract potential buyers. A well-staged home can be a significant determinant in how quickly a house sells and at what price, making it an invaluable tool in today’s real estate landscape. With the right approach, sellers can ensure their properties shine in this saturated market and appeal to the lifestyle needs of modern homebuyers.
