Stage to Sell: 7 Proven Steps to Attract Buyers and Boost Offers
Selling your home quickly and at the right price takes more than just listing it online. To draw in potential buyers and secure top offers, your home needs to stand out. That’s where home staging comes in. By strategically preparing your home—through redecorating, repairing, and making it look its best—you can make a lasting impression and significantly increase its appeal.
We have developed a Home Selling System that has proven time and time again to be very effective. Just click here www.LloydJSmith.com/testimonials/ to read some of our many FIVE STAR reviews that can attest to that!
To check out our Home Selling System, you can either click here www.LloydJSmith.com/Home-Selling-System/ or simply enter the URL into your browser.
The numbers speak for themselves: according to the National Association of Realtors, 81% of buyers’ agents report that staging makes it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living in a home. Moreover, 44% of buyers’ and sellers’ agents say that staging can increase a home’s sales price, and 48% of sellers’ agents agree it shortens the time a house spends on the market.1
After reading those statistics, you‘ll see why we believe in the power of staging! We not only agree, but when you choose Lloyd J. Smith and Associates to sell your home, we will provide the consultation and staging with a professional at NO COST to you. During the consultation, you will hear the professional stager mention some items that you can begin to accomplish in order to bring about the best results. Here’s a glimpse of seven essential strategies to transform your home into a buyer’s dream.
Step #1: Declutter and Depersonalize
The first step in staging is to declutter and depersonalize your home. A recent survey of real estate agents found that this simple step can increase your home’s sale price by 3-5%.2
Ideally, you want to create a clean, neutral canvas where potential buyers can imagine their own lives. Remember that staging isn’t interior design—the goal isn’t to add personal, homey touches but to take them away.3 While you may love having plenty of comfy furniture, family photos, and unique knick-knacks, these items can distract potential sellers and make your home feel smaller.4 Be especially mindful to remove children’s toys and pet items.
The task can feel overwhelming, but consider it a head start on packing for your move — and an opportunity to clear out things you no longer need. If you have a lot of belongings, renting a storage unit might be a smart way to keep things tidy while your home is on the market.
Step # 2: Deep Clean and Repair
A sparkling clean home leaves a fantastic first impression. Deep clean every room, paying special attention to areas that are often overlooked, like baseboards, windows, and appliances. Even minor smudges, scrapes, or signs of pet hair can put off some buyers. Your goal? Make it look like no one has ever lived there!5
Minor repairs are equally important. Fix slight imperfections like chipped paint, regrouting tiles, and replacing worn hardware. These easy cosmetic updates make a big difference in how buyers perceive your home’s value. For example, refinishing hardwood floors can offer a 147% return on investment.6
Need help getting your home spic-and-span? Let us recommend a professional who can help.
Step #3: Pick Up a Paintbrush
While buyers may repaint after they move in, the color and condition of your walls still have a big impact on their impression of the home as
a whole. Neutral tones like beiges and off-whites appeal to the widest range of buyers—and to the friends and relatives who are also weighing on purchasing decisions.7
If your home features bold colors or striking wallpaper, consider a repaint before you list. When choosing paint colors, make sure to think about how they’ll appear in listing photos and videos. Light, neutral shades can make rooms look brighter and more spacious.
Repainting is especially important in high-traffic areas like the kitchen. Painting outdated cabinets in white or a soft gray can also modernize your space.8
Step #4: Enhance Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers will see. That’s why 98% of agents believe that curb appeal is crucial to attracting a buyer.9
Boost your home’s curb appeal by power-washing the exterior and touching up your deck’s varnish.5 You might also consider repainting your front door. Research shows that a freshly painted front door in a classic shade like black or terracotta can increase offers by thousands of dollars.10
And don’t forget landscaping! Keep your lawn tidy, remove dead or dying plants, and consider adding seasonal flowers. Even standard lawn service can lead to a 217% return on investment.9 If you need assistance, we’re happy to offer a referral to landscapers in our area.
Step #5: Stage Key Rooms
When staging, we concentrate on the rooms that matter most to potential buyers: the living room, kitchen, dining room, and primary bedroom. These spaces have the greatest influence on a buyer’s decision.1
Our professional stager may bring in their furniture and decor.3 They may also include utilizing what you have. In any case, don’t worry about how you’d arrange the furniture in real life, they will give their input on that. It’s all about showing off your space!
They will arrange furniture to create an open, inviting flow.5 They might bring in large rugs to make rooms appear bigger and they will ensure artwork complements rather than overwhelms the space.7 In addition, small pops of color, maybe fresh flowers, or simple decor (like pillows, etc…) to bring warmth without personalizing the space too much.
Step #6: Put Your Home in Its Best Light
Lighting is key to creating a welcoming atmosphere in your home. Natural light in particular makes any room feel more airy and spacious, so it’s essential to make the most of it.
First, remove heavy curtains — if a room feels bare without a window treatment, hang sheer curtains or light-filtering shades to invite the outdoors in. Next, take a look at the landscaping surrounding your home. If overgrown hedges or trees block windows, especially on the ground floor, consider cutting them back or removing them entirely to let in the sunshine.
Of course, homes need more than just natural light — and it’s important to use a combination of types of lighting to suit different uses and moods. Experts recommend that each room have three light sources: ambient lighting (think ceiling lights or chandeliers), task lighting (like lamps or under-cabinet lights), and accent lights (like track lighting and picture lights).11 If needed, replace outdated fixtures with more modern options.12 Even swapping out lightbulbs can make a difference—opt for warm, 2700k bulbs to create an inviting glow.7
Have hard-to-reach windows or need help installing new lighting fixtures? We’re happy to refer a professional who can help.
Step #7: Show Off Your Work with Photography
These days, most buyers will first see your home online, making high-quality photos essential. According to the National Association of Realtors, 89% of agents agree that professional photos are critical to marketing a listing.1
Once again, this is a service that Lloyd J Smith and Associates believes in. Therefore, when you choose Lloyd J. Smith and Associates to sell your home, we include professional photography at NO CHARGE to you. We will also include a professional video with drone footage and a Matterport tour of your property, all on a designated personalized website.
When it comes time, we treat the photo shoot like an open house. After the staging is finished – everything should be spotless, well-lit, and arranged to show off your home’s best features.
BOTTOMLINE
We believe the cost of professional staging and professional Real Estate photography are both worth our investment into selling your home, in your local market. By you doing your part to get your home in good condition according to the tips listed above, we can do our part to get you a fair market value (if not more!) at your desired sale timeline. Before committing to professional services or cosmetic upgrades, reach out to us at (970) 449-2460 for a free consultation. Together we can help you assess the best path forward and connect you with the best professionals to make it happen.
The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.
References:
- National Association of Realtors –
https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2023-profile-of-home-staging-03-30-2023.pdf - Homelight –
https://www.homelight.com/blog/how-to-clean-out-a-house-to-sell/ - National Association of Realtors –
https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/6-things-home-stagers-wish-real-estate-pros-knew-about-staging - Coldwell Banker –
https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/home-staging-mistakes-to-avoid/ - Zillow –
https://www.zillow.com/learn/how-to-stage-house-to-sell/ - NAR –
https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/stub-for-148394 - House Beautiful –
https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/real-estate/a61712558/how-to-make-your-house-sell-over-asking-according-to-professional-home-stagers/ - HGTV –
https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/15-secrets-of-home-staging-pictures - National Association of Realtors –
https://cdn.nar.realtor//sites/default/files/documents/2023-03-remodeling-impact-outdoor-features-03-17-2023.pdf - Zillow –
https://www.zillow.com/learn/what-color-paint-front-door/ - Martha Stewart –
https://www.marthastewart.com/2126982/how-to-layer-your-lighting Martha Stewart –
https://www.marthastewart.com/outdated-lighting-trends-8421744
