Last year, the number of homeowners in the United States increased by 2.1 million. This means that, if you are looking to sell your home, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a buyer. 

However, having plenty of potential home buyers out there doesn't guarantee you a quick sale or a fair price for your property. In fact, there are plenty of things that you can do as a homeowner to increase your chance of getting a fast sale.

Staging homes for sale can have a huge impact on this. So what is home staging and why is it so important? Read on to find out more.

What is Home Staging? 

The home staging process involves dressing and presenting your home for photographs and viewings. This means that it can look quite different from the home you are used to living in.

The idea is to try and create a neutral space that will impress potential home buyers.

So why is staging homes for sale so important? Well, first and foremost this can help to attract buyers and pique their interest during home viewings. Let's take a closer look at how this works.

Staging Your Home Presents It in the Best Possible Light 

When selling your home it is a good idea to make a list of some of its best assets.

This might include, for example, ample storage space, great natural light, a high-spec kitchen, or open-plan living. Home staging helps you make the most of these assets.

It can also help you create long lines of sight within your home. These immediately open up a space and make it feel bigger. So even in a small property, good staging can make a lot of difference.

Staged Homes Look More Impressive in Photographs 

The key to selling homes quickly is to attract the attention of a lot of potential buyers.

The photos that you use on your listing can really help with this. Well-organized, aesthetically pleasing homes will always interest buyers. 

Staging your home can also help photographers capture its best angles to really show off its full potential.

Staging Your Home Helps Buyers See Themselves Living There 

Putting your personal touch on a home is lovely and transforms it into your space. However, when it comes to selling your home, too much personality can work against you. 

Creating a neutral space helps buyers envisage themselves living in your home, no matter what their tastes are. Creating this connection early on is vital if you want to sell your home quickly.

It also reduces the chance of buyers seeing your home as "a project". Interior design is very popular in the US, with people spending an average of $744 on it per year.

However, if people view your home as a major design project they may offer a lower price for the property instead. You want potential buyers to focus most of their budget on your property, not the work it needs. Staging your home can help with this. 

This Helps You Sell Your Home Quickly 

Most houses sit on the market for at least 31 days. You may have to wait even longer to sell your home in the winter months.

If your home sits on the market for a long time this can make it more difficult to sell. Potential buyers will wonder why it has been on the market for so long. This is often seen as a sign that something is wrong with the property, such as overpricing or structural issues.

All of the benefits of staging your home help you to sell it quickly. It ensures that your home catches the attention of potential buyers, and makes it easy for them to form a connection with it.

This means that all of the home staging benefits work together to help you sell your home quickly and get a great price for it.

So what is the best way to stage your home? Let's take a closer look at the different elements of home staging that you should keep in mind. 

Make Sure Your Home is Clean 

Before every viewing, you should always make sure that you thoroughly clean your home. This doesn't really affect the value of your property. However, it does show buyers that you have looked after it well. 

You should: 

• Vacuum and mop your floors 
• Dust your surfaces 
• Clean your windows and other glass surfaces
• Remove any marks from the walls 
• Deep clean your kitchen and bathroom areas 

Buyers might not immediately notice how clean a home is but they will spot a dirty one very quickly!

Declutter the Space

Crowded work surfaces and clutter around your home will immediately make the space feel smaller than it is. It will also make it seem like your property doesn't provide enough storage space. 

This is why it is a good idea to declutter your home before any viewings. You can do this by: 

• Packing your belongings into boxes and storing them in a garage, attic, or storage unit 
• Having a yard sale 
• Donating your unwanted items to charity

This also means that when you do come to move house you will have less stuff to pack up. So it is a win-win situation for you!

Organize Your Storage Space 

Speaking of decluttering, this doesn't just apply to the areas of your home that are on display. In fact, it is very important that you don't just stuff your belongings into your closet space. 

This is because potential buyers will almost certainly check out your built-in storage space. This is a great asset for your home. 

However, if this your storage is poorly organized or jammed full of your belongings it will immediately look less impressive. Taking the time to organize your storage will show buyers just how much they can do with it.

Remove Statement or Personal Items 

As we have already mentioned, it is important for potential buyers to view your home as a neutral space.

This is why you should try to remove as many personal items as possible. For example, you should: 

• Take down family photographs 
• Remove calendars or children's artwork from your refrigerator door
• Store statement artwork or pieces of furniture away when you have viewings
• Take down bedroom door signs

These small touches will help potential home buyers connect with your home quickly.

Focus Your Furniture

The furniture in your home really transforms the space, so think carefully about what you have and where you put it.

Too much furniture in one room can make it feel cluttered and smaller than it is. Equally, rooms with very little furniture in them will feel bare and clinical. So it's all about striking the right balance. 

The position of your furniture can also have a big impact on your home's appearance. In fact, you can use this to create long or tall lines of sight. A line of sight is how far a person can see before something cuts them off. 

For example, if you have a couch placed almost directly in front of a door, when you open the door this creates a short line of sight. Angling the couch allows you to see further into the room when the door is open. This creates a long line of sight and opens the space up. 

Glassdoor paneling, tall mirrors, and low end tables can all help to create long lines of sight within your home. 

Provide Plenty of Lighting 

Buyers love homes that provide plenty of natural lighting, though this is not something you can always control. Fortunately, you can make sure that your home is well-lit before viewings.

You should check all of the bulbs in your lights before a viewing, and try to provide different levels of lighting. Floor lamps, for example, can provide gentler lighting in bedroom or lounge areas.

Carry Out Minor Repairs 

If you are selling your home you will already have to face the age-old question: how much should you spend on repairs before you sell?

On one hand, repairing your property can increase its value. On the other, you don't want to spend huge amounts of money getting your home ready to sell. 

Minor repairs are an important part of home staging, as these issues can be distracting for potential buyers. So make sure you take care of small problems such as: 

• Leaking tap faucets 
• Marks on the walls 
• Carpet stains 
• Broken door handles 

Don't forget the outside of your home when carrying out repairs. Improving your curb appeal and tidying up your garden will quickly transform the outside of your home for potential buyers.

Use the Home Staging Process to Sell Your Property Quickly 

Home staging is a key part of the sales process and can help your property stand out from the crowd.

So make sure you invest time and energy into staging homes for sale before you put yours on the market or host any viewings. This will help you secure a quick sale for your property and a great price!

Are you trying to sell your home? Then get in touch with Steels and Diego today. We're happy to help!