Happy New Year! I’m Jen Blanchard from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach Realtors. While we’re kicking off a new year, one thing that has stayed consistent throughout my real estate career is this: the real estate market is always shifting, but there are certain truths that remain the same year after year.
Right now, we’re hearing from two kinds of clients: buyers who are ready to buy, and sellers who are preparing to list their homes for the spring market. This is the perfect combination for sellers looking to get top dollar for their homes. With a steady supply of eager buyers, how do you ensure that your home stands out and sells quickly? The answer is simple: staging. Let’s dive into why staging is so crucial when it comes to selling your house.
You’re Not Selling Your Home—You’re Selling a House
First, let’s adjust our perspective. You’re not selling your “home”—you’re selling a house that will soon become someone else’s home. Your personal belongings, memories, and sentimental items are what make your home uniquely yours, but when it comes time to sell, you need to think about creating a blank canvas for potential buyers.
Staging is all about showcasing the house’s best features so that buyers can easily see its potential and imagine themselves living there. It could be as simple as rearranging furniture, updating artwork, and decluttering, or it could involve renting furniture and accessories to give the space a complete makeover. Either way, the goal is to allow buyers to mentally and emotionally connect with the space.
Why Staging Works
Here’s a fact you might find surprising: staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged ones and can earn up to 5% more on the purchase price, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). When potential buyers walk through a staged home, they immediately begin to visualize how they could make the space their own, which helps them form an emotional connection. This connection is a key driver in making an offer.
When buyers step into a home, you want them to think, “This feels like home.” And staging helps make that happen. Buyers need to see beyond the current owner’s personal style and imagine how the house could become their own.
DIY Staging or Professional Staging—What’s Best for You?
There are a couple of different ways to approach staging:
- DIY Staging – With guidance from me, you can stage your home yourself. I include a staging consultation with my expert staging partner, where we walk through the house and discuss small updates and touches you can make, like adding fresh plants, changing out dated artwork, and decluttering. Simple adjustments can often work wonders without breaking the bank.
- Professional Staging – For homes that need more attention, professional staging can truly transform a space. My staging partner has a great eye for detail and can bring in stylish furniture, décor, and accessories that highlight your home’s best features. From fresh pillows to a signature bowl of lemons in the kitchen, professional staging can make a huge impact.
The Blanchard Team’s Staging Services
When you work with the Blanchard Team, staging is part of the process. We provide a staging consultation and include most of the staging costs to help ensure your home makes the best impression possible. Whether your home needs a few small updates or a complete transformation, we’re here to guide you through it.
Remember: Your Home Is More Than Just a House
A home is more than four walls and a roof. It’s where you relax, create memories, and build your life. When selling, you want to pass on that feeling to potential buyers. Staging helps buyers feel that emotional connection and envision the memories they could create in your space.
When done correctly, staging can elevate your home’s appeal and increase its market value. It allows you to highlight your home’s best features and transform it into a space that buyers will want to call their own.
Let’s Make Your Home Irresistible
When you’re ready to sell your home, remember: you’re not just selling the property; you’re selling the lifestyle that comes with it. The Blanchard Team is here to guide you through the entire process, from staging to closing, making sure you’re getting top dollar for your property. Together, we’ll make your house one that buyers can’t resist.
If you found this information helpful, please share it with others who might be thinking about selling. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and click the bell for notifications every time we post a new video.
Here’s to a successful year of selling—and happy New Year!
Let’s make your home the one buyers can’t wait to call their own!
