Are you ready to work with a Bergen County realtor and put your home on the market? Though the area is currently experiencing a seller’s market, you still need to make sure you are showcasing your home’s selling points and making it appealing to potential buyers. One way to do this is to stage it. Here’s more information on staging and ten reasons why you should consider it.
What is Home Staging?
In simple terms, home staging is the process of rearranging furniture and adding or removing decor to make your home attractive to potential buyers. Home staging usually involves removing excess furniture and depersonalizing a home so that buyers can picture themselves living in it. It also involves designating a purpose for each room. For example, if you have a second bedroom that serves as storage space, you would put a bed in it during the staging process so that buyers can clearly see what it can be used for.
Your Bergen County realtor will likely recommend that you have your home professionally staged by someone who has been trained in the art of arranging a home to sell quickly. During the pandemic, however, many sellers have been trying to limit the number of outsiders who come into their homes and have chosen to stage their homes themselves. Either option is likely to help make your home more competitive, as long as it’s done correctly.
Why Should I Stage My Home?
1. It will sell for more.
The National Association of Realtors found that 31 percent of potential buyers increased their home offers on staged homes. The most commonly staged rooms in a home include the living room, kitchen, master bedroom, and dining room.
2. It will sell more quickly.
In addition to selling for more money, homes that were staged also sell in less time. Those that were not staged sat on the market for an average of 143 days, while staged homes sold in an average of 23 days.
3. It will encourage buyers to see it in person.
In the age of COVID, most potential buyers view homes online and narrow down their top choices to view in person. Staged homes look better online than non-staged homes, and research shows that buyers were 40 percent more likely to get in their car and visit a staged home in person than one that is not staged.
4. Staging will help you prepare to move.
Your Bergen County realtor will recommend that you pack up a large percentage of your belongings before you list your home for sale. This is also the first step in the staging process. When you stage your home, you have to start the moving process early. Instead of waiting for your home to sell and then scrambling to pack up boxes and hire movers, you’ll already be ahead of the game when you stage.
5. Staging helps you stand out.
Most of the country, including Bergen County, is currently experiencing a seller’s market. This means that there are more potential buyers than there are available Bergen County homes for sale. While it’s typically easier to sell a home during this type of market, it doesn’t mean you won’t still have competition. When you stage your home, you ensure that it will stand out and be more appealing than those homes that are not staged.
6. Staging gives your house that “homey” feel.
For someone to want to buy your home, they have to be able to imagine themselves living in it. Research shows that home staging makes 77 percent of buyers more able to envision themselves creating a life in your house.
7. Staging helps certain features stand out.
With the work-at-home trend in full swing, buyers are looking for certain features in the Bergen County homes for sale they view. If your home has a space for a dedicated home office, gym, or homeschooling area, staging can help highlight those areas and ensure buyers pay attention to them. Staging can also help other selling points in your home stand out. If your family has loved the kitchen nook or the outdoor kitchen, for example, you can stage these in a way that makes them even more appealing to buyers.
8. Staging maximizes space.
Space has become a buzzword as the pandemic continues to drag on. For many, homes now also serve as offices, schools, restaurants, gyms, and more, and buyers are looking to purchase homes with as much space as possible. When you stage your home and remove clutter, bulky furniture, and other items that are clogging up your space, you open it up and maximize the space you have. This makes smaller homes appear larger and encourages potential buyers to schedule a showing.
9. Staging makes your home appear well-maintained.
No matter how well you take care of your home, signs of wear and tear are bound to happen. In the first part of the staging process, you’ll make basic repairs on anything that is broken and touch-up areas that appear worn or damaged. These little touches make your home appear to be in top shape, which gives buyers peace of mind that they are purchasing a home that was taken care of.
10. Staging gives a favorable first impression.
If buyers are looking at multiple Bergen County homes for sale, you may only get one chance to make a first impression. If buyers view your house online and they see cluttered rooms, evidence of pets, or rooms with no designated use, they are likely to quickly move on to other options. Staging your home ensures that your home will always make a good first impression either online or in person.
If you’re ready to sell your home, you should consider having it professionally staged or stage it yourself before you list it with an experienced real estate agent like those at the Taylor Lucyk group. The investment you make in time and money will be well worth it to sell your home quickly and for a higher price.