How To Create Your Own Staging Strategy - Part 1

Review the Fixed Aspects of Your Home & Property

The art of preparing a residence for sale to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers is called home staging.

Home staging is about creating an inviting atmosphere to showcase a property's best features while allowing potential buyers to envision themselves living there. While professional stagers offer valuable expertise, crafting your own home staging strategy is rewarding and cost-effective. Here’s how to create your personalized home staging strategy to transform your space and captivate buyers.

But, before we delve into the interior of your home, let’s look at those fixed aspects you have no control over:

• Your Potential Buyer

• Location

• Neighbourhood

• Natural Surroundings

• Lot Size

• Style & Size of your Home

• Special Exterior Features

• Energy Efficient & Sustainability

• Yard & Outdoor Spaces

• The Seasons

UNDERSTAND YOUR POTENTIAL BUYER

Before diving into the physical aspects of staging, it's important to understand your target market. Consider the demographics in your area. Are they young professionals, families, or retirees? You cannot assume that future buyers are interested in your home for the same reasons you were… Neighbourhoods can change and therefore attract different types of buyers than you think. Researching your audience will guide your staging decisions, from color schemes to furniture choices.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Consider where your house is situated. Is your home in an urban or rural area? Is your home in a densely populated area? Or, are your neighbours a good distance away? Is it in a neighbourhood with schools, parks, or cultural attractions? Are there fitness centers and shopping malls? Or, is it in a highrise and surrounded by other highrises?

What if your location is challenging though? Think about how you can minimize any negative aspects. Busy streets are noisy. Reduce the noise you hear inside. If lack of privacy is an issue, use screens, fencing, or plants to create a sense of seclusion.

Understanding your location and neighbourhood dynamics will enable you to tailor your staging strategy to appeal to your target demographic.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Sell your home’s neighbourhood! Highlight the local amenities like schools, parks, and shops. Use its local history and culture to add value to your home.

Consider making a virtual tour of your neighbourhood to show what is available.

NATURAL SURROUNDINGS

Is your home idyllically located? Are you surrounded by rolling hills or mountains? Do you have great views? Are you near a body of water, like the ocean or a river? Or, is your home in a highrise with a spectacular city view? These are all aspects that need to be addressed when staging. And certainly written up in your listing!

LOT SIZE

Nothing you can do about your lot size! However, you can show it at its best, regardless of how big or small, and make a great first impression.

Refresh your front door with a new lick of paint. Add or upgrade any light fixtures; and, if you have none, consider adding them. Not only will this look inviting, but it will also enhance the safety of your home. If there is room for a couple of planters to flank your front door don’t hesitate to add those.

Adding a cozy, inviting outdoor space on a veranda or porch or in your yard is always a good idea. No matter what size it is. What about installing a water feature to instill a sense of tranquility?

STYLE & SIZE OF YOUR HOME

Consider the unique characteristics of your home, such as its architectural style. Is it Victorian, brand new, or modern? Is it a cozy cottage nestled in a wooded area, an urban loft with skyline views, or a spacious suburban family home with a large backyard?

Note how many floors your home has. How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there? Is there a formal living room as well as a great room? What about a breakfast nook? Do kids have a play area? Does it have a finished or unfinished basement? Is your home wheelchair accessible?

By highlighting interesting features, you make it easier for a potential buyer to appreciate them and see themselves living in it. Understanding these factors will guide your staging decisions and help you create a cohesive identity to highlight the best features of your property.

SPECIAL EXTERIOR FEATURES

Architectural detailing enhances the look and vibe of a house.

A typical feature of a Victorian home is its asymmetry. Steep gables often have top-end treatments like finials and dentils along the sides. Many have covered a wrap-around porch and steps leading toward the front door. There are columns, balustrades, window and door headers, and decorative sills to name a few. These can be highlighted to showcase the beauty of such a home’s architecture.

A modern home can shine in its simplicity. With strategically placed large glazing partitions and expanses of concrete walls, such a home provides a great canvas for an inviting garden softening its appearance. Uplights under trees will give a home like this a sense of beauty.

A regular one-family dwelling in the suburbs can also benefit from some architectural detailing. A keystone above the garage door will give it some style. Windows look polished with casings and sills. Clean and clearly defined pathways to the front door are a must! Perhaps a simple water feature can give the illusion of tranquility. And, of course, lighting is not to be overlooked! Invest in fixtures that enhance the entrance as well as the garage facade.

An outdoor pool can be a benefit or a completely wrong feature. It all depends on your location and your neighbourhood. In a warmer climate, a pool is an advantage. A home with an outdoor pool in a kid-friendly neighbourhood may work against you when selling. Do your research and determine who your potential buyer will be before you emphasize this feature.

Decks, patios, and terraces are highly desirable parts of a home. Not only can they be staged to add outdoor living spaces, but they can also be dressed to create the illusion of a specific lifestyle. They can be kids-oriented, shown for adult entertaining, or used for container gardening and tea parties. We all know that in summertime spending time outdoors is a must.

ENERGY EFFICIENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Let your potential buyer know if your home has green features and finishes. Some of these features or finishes you have no control over. For example, your residence could have been built with sustainable materials.

You or a previous owner could have put others in place: perhaps it was painted with low or zero VOC paints. Were solar panels installed for increased energy efficiency? Are your windows energy efficient?

Today’s buyers are very energy-consumption-aware. Does your residence have any of these features that will make it easier for this buyer to see your house favorably?

YARD & OUTDOOR SPACES

There is no control over the size of your yard. It could be a healthy acreage, a suburban backyard, or a postage-stamp-size one in the city. No matter the size of your outdoor space (yes, even a balcony!) can be made to look perfect. Identifiable pathways, a clean driveway, cut grass, and well-tended flower beds contribute to making a great first impression. After all, anybody walking up to a clean and well-maintained residence will be confident that the interior spaces are also looked after. Nothing shouts neglect more than a poorly maintained outdoor space.

This also includes your garage door and lighting, if you have one. A painted garage door looks good and inviting. Lights on either side give the impression of safety. Clear a carport of all things stored there, to avoid a potential buyer thinking there might not be enough storage in your home.

THE SEASONS

The time of the year usually has an impact on home sales. November, December, and January typically see a slower market. Prices may drop a bit or homes sit on the market longer. This is a trend that applies to normal real estate markets. In an unusual market, this picture could well look different.

Typically, though, people prefer to look for a new home when the weather gets warmer. Families like to have their kids settled before a new school year starts.

Showing the exterior of your home in wintertime is different than at other times of the year. A refresh with a lick of paint may not be possible because of the cold. If there is a lot of snow, there is little you can do about your yard, although clearing paths and driveways is a must! Again, you want to avoid creating that niggling suspicion of neglect in a future buyer!

When showing your home in the Christmas season, some tasteful outdoor decorations can make a buyer feel welcome.

If your garage is prominent at the front of your home, make sure the door is clean and freshly painted. Remember it is part of creating that favourable first impression.

PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS

The devil is in the details when it comes to home staging. Pay attention to small details like replacing outdated light fixtures, updating cabinet hardware, and repairing minor flaws. These subtle changes can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the home.

FEEDBACK AND ADJUSTMENTS

Once you've staged your home, seek feedback from friends, family, or real estate agent. Ask for honest opinions about the staging and be open to making adjustments if necessary. Remember, the goal is to create a space that resonates with potential buyers and helps them envision living there.

Creating your own home staging strategy allows you to showcase your home's best features and appeal to a broad range of potential buyers. Transform your home into a buyer’s dream by understanding your audience, highlighting key features, and paying attention to the details. With careful planning, you can create a personalized staging strategy that sets your home apart from the competition and leads to a successful sale.

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Questions, thoughts, or comments, please note them below and I will get back to you.

BLUE SKIES!