Staging your home could open the door for buyers and sellers in more ways than one. Home staging could mean decorating, furnishing and even painting an empty home that is on the market. Staging a home has been referred to as an art form and is usually used as a way to help sellers and buyers understand the possibilities that a home offers.

It is difficult for a buyer to imagine raising a family or spending a cozy holiday in a vacant space. Therefore, home staging allows buyers to imagine what their home could be. Additionally, if a room is staged well that can help a seller pitch the idea of the space as a home. The impersonal feel of an empty house can be quelled by the right coat of paint, properly arranged furniture, and other final touches, such as decor.  

“Home staging is now an essential part in the marketing of a home sale,” says Krisztina Bell, the founder of No Vacancy Home Staging. “It is great to see even sellers and investors truly understanding its value.” Bell offers various tips and tricks for staging a vacant home.

1. Organize and avoid clutter. This will make it easier for a potential buyer to see themselves living in the home.  

2. Think fresh and light. Keep blinds and curtains open to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, if any of the rooms in the home are painted a deep exotic or bright neon color then it is best to neutralize each room by having walls painted a nice warm color.  

3. Update and repair. Take note of any noticeable or large fixes that need to be made and take care of them early.

4. Don’t forget the exterior. The first impression a potential home buyer will have of a house will be of the exterior, so nice curb appeal is important.

5. The price is worth it. The average cost of a complete staging project is usually much less than your first price reduction. Statistically, homes that have been properly prepared for the market sell before a price reduction is needed.

6. Decorating and staging are almost complete opposites. Decorating involves putting the existing homeowners’ tastes and styles into the house, making it personal. Staging involves taking one’s personality out of the house, so the decor is neutral and appealing to the broadest range of potential home buyers.

7. It is best to have your house staged first and then have it listed. Think of the importance of first impressions. The greatest buzz about a house is generated when it is first listed.

8. Although new to the television circuit, home staging has actually been around since the 1970s. In some areas of the country, home staging is as common as open houses. The central states are starting to recognize the value of a staged home, not because it is trendy, but because it works!

 9. Do emphasize the upscale and custom features of a home with staging, but DON’T overdo it. Keep it clean lines and simple.

10. Don’t place furnishings or decor that block light or views. Do stage the home with tasteful furnishings and make it easy for prospective buyers to walk straight to amazing ocean, mountain, or island views.

Photos courtesy of Krisztina Bell, No Vacancy Home Staging