How to Stage a House for Sale

Even in a seller’s real estate marketing, the path to getting top dollar for your home can be fraught with challenges and frustrations. From estimating the perceived value of the property and the number of other similar houses on the market to understanding the trends and standards for modern home designs, there are many factors that go into how much the listing ultimately sells for. Plus, with websites such as Zillow, where shoppers can quickly and relatively accurately estimate the market value of a home based on 100 million listings nationwide, receiving an offer equal to or above what you’re asking can be an uphill battle.

Given all the barriers to a quick, easy and profitable real estate sale, you need to use every tactic in your power to gain an advantage as a seller. According to US News, the layout of your home is a huge factor for housing resale value, while information from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals states that, on average, staged homes sell 79 days faster than non-staged homes, and sell for 17% more. If you’re considering putting your property on the market, read on for ideas on how to stage a house for sale for the best possible results.

Start by Decluttering

A crucial first step in staging your home for an enjoyable viewing experience involves removing everything potential buyers don’t need to see while at the same time giving the positive attributes of your house the opportunity to shine. Decluttering counter tops, bookcases, floors and tabletops is a logical place to start, and an effective method for giving the interior home a quick and easy facelift.

It’s also extremely important to address dedicated storage spaces ranging from kitchen cabinets, basements and attics to laundry rooms, garages and outdoor sheds. When home shoppers for instance view a well-organized walk-in closet, it not only shows off the available storage space your home has to offer, but sends the message that this house is big enough to hold your possessions without having to jam most of it away behind closed doors.

Safeguard Your Valuables