Selling a home in today’s competitive market can be challenging, but there’s a secret weapon that many successful sellers are using: home staging. If you’re unfamiliar with this term or unsure of its benefits, you’re not alone.
Home staging is a powerful property marketing tool which has been a critical element in the marketing of homes in the USA and Australia for many years. Staging is the act of preparing the home for sale before it is listed to ensure that the presentation of every room and the outside of the home attracts the widest target audience. It is becoming more common in the UK and the best agents are helping their clients maximise their sale either by giving advice a client can carry out themselves or, where more help is needed, engaging the services of an experienced and reputable staging company.
One of the aims of amazing property presentation and good photography is to create a market, not simply to capture the market that is already there. It serves to generate interest in your home not only from the people looking at moving already but also those who are scrolling through Rightmove with perhaps an intention of buying but not necessarily immediately. The intention is that the photos of a beautifully presented lifestyle will help both the active and the dormant buyers form an emotional attachment your home from the moment they see it online. The photos prompt a quick decision to book a viewing.
We are Lemon and Lime, an award winning professional home staging firm partnering with Tuckfield Estates to ensure every one of their clients gets the best marketing for their property. We operate throughout the UK staging everything from period country homes to newly build property, helping sellers to achieve the best price for their biggest asset. We use our seven sequential steps; ‘ADDRESS’ – Assess, Declutter, Decorate, Re-Imagine, Emphasise, Stage, Sell to support you in your home selling journey. We understand that your home is probably the major asset to release the capital you need to move into the next stage of your life.
Below we’ve provided a Q&A to answer some of our most asked questions including what home staging is, how it works and why it could be the key to selling your property faster and at a better price.
What is home staging?
Home staging is a property marketing tool which ensures that the presentation attracts multiple potential buyers as quickly as possible in order to create a buzz about the property. It significantly differs from interior design as it is intended to deliberately attract the target buyer for a property vs designing the interiors to the owner’s personal taste.
What are the benefits of using home staging?
Home staging showcases the lifestyle of a property to a potential buyer. In an occupied property it will involve using the home seller’s furniture and the addition of a few rented accessories and artwork will complete the look. Some properties require decorating, repair work and gardening, all of which are advised to make sure everything in the house looks as good as it possibly can be to attract a buyer. A good home staging company will have contractors on speed dial who can complete any work very quickly so as not to delay getting the home to market.
Can a staging company take into account the sort of buyers I want to attract?
Yes. The very first stage of the process is for the stager to work with the seller and their agent to work out who the target buyer is for the property. This will depend on many factors, the size and location of the property, the price bracket and the existing condition. A stager will deliberately design the staging to attract the target buyer.
How does the process work?
Either a home seller will contact us directly, or an estate agent will call us on behalf of their client. We speak to the home seller and understand what their goals are for the sale and also the timeline. If the property is empty, then we can quote from floorplans. If not, then we will do an initial consultation free of charge. From there we will make recommendations about the presentation of the property ahead of photos and viewings. From the acceptance of quote, it will take a maximum of 2 weeks before the property is ready to be launched to market unless it needs significant decorating or repairs.
How much does it cost?
The cost varies depending on what needs doing ahead of the property launching to market. Decorating is quoted on a bespoke basis as it is not always required. When decluttering is necessary at an occupied property, we would suggest a budget of up to 0.5% of the list price. To fully furnish a property ahead of sale, a budget of around 1 – 1.5% of the list price would be reasonable.
Home staging is more than just a trend, it’s a proven strategy that can make a substantial difference in how quickly and profitably a property sells. By presenting a home in its best possible light and targeting the right buyers, staging can transform a sale process, making it faster and more efficient. If you’re considering selling your property, it may be worth exploring how home staging can help you achieve your goals. Call us directly on 01332 987740 for a free consultation.
Photography: Jon Holmes Photography
Tuckfield Estates: 01582 260580