Selling a home can be both an art and a science. Insight into the current market, a well-researched pricing strategy, and comprehensive marketing to the right audience are all essential.
The foundation of all of this is presentation, how your home appeals to prospective buyers. In today’s market, people want more than just great value. They want the perfect balance of beauty and functionality. Now, more than ever, first impressions are powerful.
If you’ve been thinking about putting your home on the market, you have likely heard the term “staging” come up. What does this really mean? Is it worth the time and investment or can you get away with a more generic approach of cleaning and decluttering?
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the nuanced world of staging, when it’s most beneficial, and how to get the best possible results.
Do you want to stay current with what’s happening in the Toronto and west Greater Toronto Area real estate market? Stay ahead of the curve and get access to our in-depth market update, latest listings and informative blog topics by subscribing to our newsletter right here.
What Is Staging?
Staging goes far beyond interior design. It’s about increasing the saleability of your home rather than decorating for personal interest. The goal is to display your property in a way that attracts the highest number of qualified buyers. The process begins before your “For Sale” sign goes up or your first open house.
Think of how someone is likely to find your listing in the first place. Since most people begin searching online, you want your images and videos to be of the utmost quality. This represents the beginning of the staging process. Buyers will decide whether or not to book a showing based on these first impressions. Your images were the promise; the in-person visit is where your design delivers.
Staging is strategic in terms of showcasing space, not filling a home with furniture or other decor pieces. ‘Stuff’ doesn’t sell real estate, no matter how beautiful; space and functionality sell homes. It’s a thoughtful technique that requires expertise and a meticulous eye for design.
Are you looking for even more advanced advice to help sell your home? The related posts below will give you some valuable insight:
- How To Make Your Home Stand Out in a High-Inventory Market
- The Ins and Outs of Selling a Luxury Home in Toronto
- How To Prepare Your Home Like A Luxury Listing
The Levels of Staging
Every home is unique, and a customized approach is necessary. We must create a beautiful aesthetic that aligns with the demographic of the most likely buyer.
Staging at its most basic level involves depersonalizing and decluttering the space. Upon completion, your agent may advise you to add a few accent pieces. For some properties, this is sufficient.
Just like the difference in professionalism and experience from one Realtor® to another, there are different levels of quality in staging. Some ‘stagers’ are not necessarily qualified professionals.
On the other hand, true experts often have formal training in design by trade. This results in an eye for detail and intuition, enhancing the calibre of work and the quality and type of furniture and accessories. It could be the difference between looking like Bouclair or looking like Restoration Hardware.
At the Tanya Crepulja Team, we only work with trusted, best-in-class property stylists for each of our listings. A beautiful design plan can often incorporate existing pieces that complement the styling. We will recommend the best course of action that will result in the greatest return based on your unique listing and the needs of your home.
The Benefits of Staging Your Home Before Selling
To fully understand why and how you should stage your home, think of everything from a buyer’s perspective. They aren’t searching for just any house. They crave the lifestyle a home represents. Staging allows them to sense possibilities beyond what they see with their eyes. For example, what was a small, unused corner can be turned into a cozy reading nook or inviting home office.
Most people cannot envision the right type of furniture or scale unless you arrange the room in a strategic way that complements the space. An open-concept living, dining room, and kitchen could appear awkward and small in a vacant condo. Proper staging transforms a small space into one that is functional and comfortable.
If a buyer walks in and immediately begins to envision themselves in your home, you stand an excellent chance of a successful sale, possibly at a higher price than if the property was not staged.
Effective staging highlights a property’s strongest features while downplaying areas that may need some attention. In the end, your home captures a buyer’s mind and heart, which often leads to better offers.
As always, it’s best to work with an unbiased professional. A well-trained property stylist will view your property with fresh eyes, then work to create an aesthetic that connects on all levels, emotional and logical.
The Future of Staging and Technology
Staging methods continue to evolve, especially as technology advances. Virtual staging is sometimes used as an option when traditional staging is not possible. For example, tenanted homes or properties where the price point is cost-prohibitive for full staging may do well with virtual staging. However, the method must be used with caution and by following all guidelines outlined by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board.
In these cases, virtual staging could help prospective buyers visualize the potential of the home. However, you want to be sure that they understand that they are seeing a virtual renovation, not what the room looks like today. Honesty and transparency are vital when using new technology to showcase your home.
Do your next goals include buying a new home? The posts below can help you navigate the evolving GTA real estate market:
- Why Now Is an Opportune Time to Buy a House
- Should You Rent Or Buy In Today’s Market?
- A Guide To Moving Up In The West GTA
The Value of Customized Staging
Some level of staging is always valuable; however, the strategy will vary depending on the structure of the house. Entry-level homes, vacant houses, and condos often perform well when showcasing creative and effective use of space.
Concierge-level staging is beneficial when selling higher-priced estates. Beautiful design and flow enhance the presentation to create greater appeal to a distinguished, knowledgeable buyer.
Regardless of the situation, personalized guidance can allow you to achieve the maximum results and empower the next chapter in your real estate journey.
Are you preparing to sell your home and want personalized guidance to get ready for the market? Upscale staging is just one part of our concierge real estate services. To learn more, get in touch today at tanya@tcteam.ca or call 647-293-3785.
