From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Home staging is the act of preparing a house, a condominium, or any
private residence prior to going up for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to sell a home quickly,
and for the most money possible. Staging focuses on improving a property to make it welcoming, appealing, and attractive to
the largest generic audience of potential homebuyers. Staging often raises the value of a property by way of repairs, re-decorating,
renovations, and landscaping. Properly executed staging leads the eye to attractive features while minimizing flaws.
Real estate agents have practiced staging since the 1970s, but it was not until the 1990s that staging became a separate
endeavor adopted by professional designers and decorators. More recently, the trend of do-it-yourself home staging has become
widely popular. Staging is viewed by some as a necessary step taken prior to selling a home, and statistics show that it makes
a dramatic difference on the amount of days a property is on the market and how much it sells for.
Many techniques are used to stage a property. De-cluttering, depersonalizing, updating old or unattractive
fixtures, painting, furniture rearrangement, and accessorizing are just some of the changes used to make a home more inviting
to potential buyers.
Since a typical home buyer decides if they are attracted to a home or not
in the first 8 seconds of seeing it, curb appeal is generally viewed as a vital aspect of the staging process. Therefore,
curb appeal, the practice of improving a home’s exterior appeal, is used alongside interior improvements.
It has been shown that homes containing furniture and accessories sell more quickly than vacant homes. Rental
of furniture and decorative accessories is a common solution when selling brand new properties that have never been occupied,
or those where homeowners have already vacated the property.
Spaciousness and light
often determine the success of a staged home. The larger a room appears, the better it will appear to homebuyers. Dark, tight
spaces create a poor impression and may prevent the home from selling. Furniture layouts should create an impression of openness
and comfort. Non-essential items should be removed to minimize crowding and clutter. Opening curtains and blinds to let in
natural light and turning on interior and exterior lights at nighttime are also common staging techniques.
Wall treatments and flooring are most appealing when presented in neutral colors and subtle patterns. Paint colors
should be neutral whenever possible, as bright or bold colors and strong patterns detract from the universal appeal of a space.
Religious items, personal photos, awards, certificates and cultural items are often removed to downplay the presence of current
homeowners, which allows potential homebuyers to focus on the property and feel more at ease during viewings.
