Introduction to Home Staging

 

We owe this innovative concept in real estate marketing to the interior designer Barbara Schwarz. In 1972, she implemented this methodology, obtaining outstanding achievements in the rapid sale of the properties that she submitted to this process. The idea for it became a whole new industry in real estate.

 

The term “staging” defines the process by which a home is prepared for sale or rent. Today Home Staging is a big business with immense profit potential. Home Stagers are an integral part of today’s real estate industry. They give houses that fresh, perfect look that helps sellers receive the best price.

Current situation of Home Staging

 

The economic and political changes that have occurred at the global level generate uncertainty in all the productive areas of the nations. In addition to this, the Covid-19 pandemic has left its consequences in all the economies of the planet, and there seems to be no changes on the immediate horizon. Many business activities have adapted to the new situation, to continue operating despite adversity. The real estate sector is one of them nothing, stops it.

 

Home Staging continues to boom, although the number of visits by buyers is limited, due to restrictions to avoid infections. The search for houses online has increased, favoring the work of investors in home staging. Undoubtedly, a striking staging looks excellent in photographs, virtual tours are now the best way to sell. This excellent tool will continue to provide the best service in the world of real estate investment. 

 

Home Staging Expansion

 

This valuable tool in the real estate sector has been used in the United States for more than 40 years. It spread to Canada and Australia; However, its use in Europe is recent, it arrived in the United Kingdom in the 90’s and later in the Nordic countries. It became known in Spain in 2008, when the first companies dedicated to Home Staging or decorative marketing emerged.

Strategies to implement Home Staging

 

To implement an adequate and effective staging it is necessary to follow some guidelines or strategies set by experts on the subject. These guarantee a good approach to the project from the beginning to reach its success. Remember that the objective of the staging is to highlight the property without excesses, based on interior design to achieve visual commercialization.

 

Demarcate Rooms – Each room serves a unique purpose. The buyer must be able to show the potential of all the spaces in the unit. The attic can become an office, an annex can be a guest bedroom, the important thing is to provide a clear vision of the possible use for each room.

Assembling with the right furniture: large and spacious furniture is suitable to offer a feeling of family relaxation, but if it is to prepare a house for sale, it is best to use small furniture, with clean and simple lines to give space to the rooms. Neutral colors are also advisable in this case without falling into boredom due to excesses.

 

No piece should be the center of attention, dominating the space, unless it is a very small room.

 

Include photos of pets in advertisements: dogs and cats are pets appreciated by most people, leaving them completely out of the staging of the house is not recommended. The well-cared and well-edited images of pets will give a familiar touch to the scene and surely some will be tempted to share them on the networks, giving greater visibility to the sale announcement.

 

Use accent walls: a well-crafted wall can add high value to the preparation of the house. A dull environment will be enhanced by an artistic contrast of gray, for example, or the use of bright, energetic colors.

 

Take pictures prior to the house arrangement: the home stager will arrange for the photographer in charge to take pictures of the empty house, before the staging stage. In this way, virtually all spaces can be organized, in different styles or for different uses according to the client’s taste. Otherwise, it would be expensive and difficult to digitally reorganize the spaces, as all the furniture and fixtures have to be removed virtually.

 

Staging Inclusive Rooms – Children’s bedrooms and playrooms cannot be “gendered”. Using stuffed toys, a bunk bed and neutral colored bedding should be enough to create children’s rooms adjusted to the desired style. The important thing is to give a quality feeling of well-being to buyers so that they want to make the house their home. A potential buyer, a mother of two boys, would be very confused when trying to place them in a room with pink walls with beautiful posters of princesses.

 

Cleaning, ordering and depersonalizing the house: cleaning is pleasant and necessary in any space and place. A clean house will give buyers an idea of ​​the care lavished by the owner, and every part of the scene, from the floors to the ceilings, must be sparkling. Order is a priority, when showing the house nothing should be seen out of place, either physically or in photographs, the staging requires a rigorous organization of all the belongings of the house. Clutter is distracting and does not allow for full viewing, giving a feeling of tightness to the space.

Depersonalize the unit you want to sell, buyers are looking for their own home and should be able to imagine themselves in it by visualizing the scene of your home; family photos, souvenirs, toys and personal belongings of the current owners will be out of the customer’s sight.

 

Maintain the good exterior appearance: the exterior view of the house will define its interior appearance. The buyer’s first impression will be determined by the vision of the doorway and may increase or decrease their interest in seeing the inside. Hence the importance of showing a well-groomed exterior appearance, with pruned plants and no weeds.

 

The well-washed windows and the walls in perfect condition, very clean and well cared for, impart a warmth of home that undoubtedly impresses visitors.

 

Stick to a budget: keeping expenses within the budgeted amount can be a challenge for the home stager, you should never do total remodeling, because this will break your budget. Give up the desire to change critical areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, focus on paint and fixtures rather than radical changes. It is appropriate to renovate from simple things like door handles, window shades, faucets, and other simple but valuable fixes when introducing the home to buyers. Furniture and accessories provide eye-catching and attractiveness, they do not have to be expensive, but they do have to be tasteful and in a transitional style.

Errors in Home Staging

 

To attract as many potential buyers as possible, interior design is the best option. The best offers are obtained after a successful staging, this marks the difference between a house that moves in the sales range and another that remains static in the market.

 

However, great care is required when making the relevant arrangements, so as not to make mistakes that ruin the project. Some persistent errors will be presented below.

Placing furniture against the wall: the idea that furniture has a specific place in the presentation limits creative ability. The main thing is to orient yourself to the appropriate configuration for your design and style. The conversational location suggests comfort and familiarity in the space. Pushing furniture against the wall visually reduces the space, even if the room is large.

 

Not having a competent team: selecting the best work team for home staging is a wise decision. They will help you achieve your best appearance in staging. In addition, they will reduce potential errors and waste in project execution. An interior designer is a key part of your team. He will save you money, time, energy and trouble.

 

Save on the presentation of the rooms: sometimes home staging leaves rooms empty to save the expense of staging them. This is counterproductive because by showing the house to potential buyers, they will not see the potential of the space. Furnishing them properly also has the advantage of covering small imperfections. Some interior designers suggest that leaving rooms empty allows the client to imagine how they would look if they decorated them, but it is better to play it safe and not risk it.

Our agency

 

You already know all the most essential tips on what to do and what not to do with the staging of a home, but do you know how to apply everything and make it really work?

 

In case you are interested, our agency serves as services to prepare in the best way and price a staging for you to sell your apartments or rent them.

Call and ask for a first visit and a budget without obligation.