Why Staging Matters So Much Right Now
Why Staging Matters So Much Right Now
The real estate market can be confusing for sellers, especially in the competitive San Francisco Bay Area housing market. But there’s one proven process that will help sell your home faster and for more money: home staging. Whether you’re selling a Mid-Century Modern home, a Craftsman-style house, or anything in between, home staging is key to making a home feel right for the people who walk through the door. In fact, 82% of buyers say staging makes it easier to visualize the space as their own.
At a time when interest rates are at a record high and inventory is sitting on the market longer, it’s even more important to stage homes. Experienced real estate agents and home design services like NurtureSource agree that staged homes stand out and consistently receive the highest offers by helping buyers fall in love with a home. We may be biased, but we truly believe that home staging is worth the extra expense, providing real value for sellers – especially in the Bay Area market where buyers tend to be more discerning and design-centric. Here we share 3 reasons why home staging in the Bay Area makes a world of difference.
1. Sell Your Home Faster & for More Money
One of the reasons that home staging helps you sell your home quickly is because staging allows buyers to mentally move into the home. Instead of walking through an empty house and wondering how their family would fit in, potential buyers can see furniture throughout the space and understand what it would be like living there. A recent survey from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals shows that staging helps sell homes 3 to 30 times faster and can even help increase the sale price by an average of 20%. On top of that, more than 25% of buyers are willing to overlook property flaws if a home is staged, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2021 Profile of Home Staging.
2. Give Buyers the “Wow” Factor
There’s no question that vacant homes can feel void of personality and won’t get the same attention as ones filled with beautiful furniture and decor. Thoughtfully staged homes tell a story and present the “wow” factor that helps buyers emotionally connect to a space. And there are two easy ways to create this feeling for potential buyers: online photos and the sense of more space.
Online Photos
In today’s world, people are looking at houses online before they ever consider attending an open house. A staged home can help you capture eye-catching photos that will draw buyers in, turning a boring listing into one that has buyers daydreaming about the accent wall in the dining room or those beautiful light fixtures in the master bedroom. Even in a hot market, staging a photo-ready property can directly influence a buyer's decision to see the home in person and submit an offer.
The Sense of More Space
A professional stager can tell you that the art of home staging focuses heavily on space – out with clutter, personal items, and oversized furniture; in with smaller, more unique pieces that better fit the space. Seasoned stagers are skilled at making your house seem larger and creating a flow in each room. That living room that used to feel a bit cramped with your entertainment center and walls full of family photos? Now, it feels roomy and peaceful with the addition of a modern sofa and paint in a neutral color. Stagers are also great at reimagining how spaces throughout the home are used, creatively showing alternative arrangements for things like small kitchens, and highlighting unique features of the home with well-placed accent pieces.
3. Improve Curb Appeal
Staging the inside of a home is important, but outdoor staging is essential too. Staging your outdoor areas creates amazing curb appeal for your house and will draw buyers in no matter what style of home you have. Curb appeal doesn’t have to be extravagant either. Landscaping, painting your front door, and even adding a brand-new welcome mat can grab a potential buyer’s attention. Don’t have a yard? You can still add curb appeal. Townhomes and condos may not have a ton of space, but adding window boxes or a small patio area can transform a small outdoor area.
So, Should I Stage My Home?
As we’ve shown, staging your home accentuates all of its best features, helping it sell for more than homes that aren’t staged by inspiring buyers to see themselves in the space. And once people see themselves in a home, why would they want to leave?
“Of course you want to stage a home. It gives a buyer and their agent a place to sit and write an offer.”
– Ira Serkes, Real Estate Agent
Are you ready to see how home staging in the Bay Area can help you sell your home more quickly and for a great price? Get in touch with a professional at NurtureSource — we’re experts who love staging homes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
