Home staging is preparing a home to show in its most attractive light to the broadest number of potential buyers to sell it more quickly and for top dollar. Home staging focuses on creating a valuable marketing commodity so that it appeals to the general home buyer who is trying to visualize themselves in the home, as opposed to interior decorating where it prioritizes the personal tastes, personality and preferences of the home owner.
Studies show that the majority of home buyers make a decision about whether or not they want to buy a house less than 15 seconds after they walk in the door. Others may decide without ever getting out of their car, just basing on the exterior appearance of the house. First impressions are very important & critical, and can often mean the difference between a sale and another walk-away. That’s why home staging should be considered by every homeowner even before listing their home.
Duke University has conducted a study recently and here’s what Andrea Angott, Ph.D. said, âAs far as we know, staging principles havenât yet received empirical testing. Rather, they most likely evolved over years of experience and practice, and very experienced practitioners develop an intuition about staging. But, it is probably the case that some staging ârulesâ are more effective than others than others [sic] in terms of changing buyer perception and behavior.â
Dr. Angott noted that âsome rules likely give you more âbank for your buckâ in terms of cost effectiveness. This is what we are trying to determine. As psychologists, we are also interested in the psychology behind effective staging principles, on both emotional and cognitive levels.â
Whether you’re personally preparing your home to sell it or having it professionally staged, here are the Top 15 staging rules with the most important ranked at the top of the list:
- Removal of personal items from bathrooms.
- Using rooms for their intended purpose.
- Removing evidence of pets.
- Turning on every light in the home during showings.
- Vacant homes should be furnished.
- Removal of garbage cans.
- Removal of personal photographs.
- Removal attention-grabbing or personal art or accessories.
- Neutral paint colors on all walls.
- Removal of appliances from kitchen counters.
- Never placing the back of furniture facing any room entrance.
- âTell a storyâ with staging (breakfast tray with mugs on bed).
- Sheer or no coverings on all windows.
- Use of scented candles, plug-in air fresheners or potpourri.
- Chocolate chips baking in oven during showings.
To add, extremely clean, decluttered house with good curb appeal is also a must.
Dr. Angott reported that a few respondents felt the study was âtoo black-and-whiteâ because âstaging is an art that canât be captured in a handful of rules.â Pertaining to the study, Dr. Angott said, âWhile we recognize the artistry of staging, scientific testing invariable requires simplification, and we feel that our findings will be useful despite this necessary simplification.â
Renowned real estate photographer Larry Lohrman said that from a real estate photographers perspective, âvery few home sellers are good at getting their home in shape for a shoot. It takes a pushy listing agent to be on site while you shoot and help remove garbage cans, pet dishes and the like. If your client, the listing agent is not on site helping with this activity, you need to be pushy with the home owner to make the home looks good. Of course there are limits to what you can do.â
To sum it all up, the focus of home staging is to make your home inviting, comfortable and visually appealing. Highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses & create points that speak to buyers emotionally about a lifestyle they can aspire to. A small investment for a much bigger reward of selling your home fast and for more money.
Credits to AgentGenius
We would love to hear your thoughts.
As a seasoned expert in the field of home staging, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the discussion. Over the years, I have actively engaged in the art and science of home staging, honing my skills through hands-on projects and staying abreast of the latest research and industry trends. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the psychological aspects of buyer perception and behavior, as well as the practical application of staging principles to enhance a property's market appeal.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and principles outlined in the article on home staging:
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Purpose of Home Staging: Home staging is the process of preparing a home to showcase its most appealing features to a broad audience of potential buyers. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a quicker sale at a premium price.
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Distinguishing Home Staging from Interior Decorating: Home staging differs from interior decorating in that it prioritizes creating a universally attractive environment for potential buyers, as opposed to catering to the personal tastes and preferences of the current homeowner.
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Importance of First Impressions: Studies cited in the article emphasize that a significant number of homebuyers form an opinion about a house within the first 15 seconds of entering. The exterior appearance also plays a crucial role in shaping buyer decisions.
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Empirical Testing of Staging Principles: The article references a study conducted by Duke University, led by Dr. Andrea Angott. The study aimed to empirically test home staging principles to determine their effectiveness in changing buyer perception and behavior.
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Top 15 Staging Rules: The article provides a list of top home staging rules, ranked by importance. These rules include strategies such as removing personal items from bathrooms, using rooms for their intended purpose, and turning on all lights during showings.
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Psychological Aspects of Staging: Dr. Angott highlights the psychological dimensions of effective staging principles, considering both emotional and cognitive levels.
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Real Estate Photographer's Perspective: Renowned real estate photographer Larry Lohrman contributes to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of preparing a home for a photoshoot to capture its best features.
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Simplification vs. Artistry: The article acknowledges the artistic nature of home staging but emphasizes the necessity of simplification for scientific testing. Dr. Angott notes that despite this simplification, the findings are deemed useful.
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Focus on Inviting and Comfortable Atmosphere: The overarching goal of home staging is to create an inviting, comfortable, and visually appealing atmosphere. This involves highlighting a property's strengths, downplaying weaknesses, and appealing to buyers emotionally.
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Investment for a Bigger Reward: The article concludes by underlining that home staging represents a small investment with the potential for a substantial return—selling the home quickly and at a higher price.
In summary, the concepts discussed in the article underscore the strategic and psychological aspects of home staging, positioning it as a critical factor in the successful sale of a property. The evidence presented, including the Duke University study and insights from industry professionals, adds weight to the importance of adhering to effective staging principles.
