For property sellers, viewings play a major role in whether or not you sell your home, so it’s crucial that you get preparations in order before welcoming prospective buyers into your home.
Studies show that it can take prospective buyers between seven and 10 seconds to form an initial opinion on your property.
Because of this, it’s vital that your home gives viewers a brilliant and lasting first impression. This could not only help you to secure more offers but can also boost your chances of achieving asking price or above.
In fact, 85% of estate agents reported that a staged home sells up to three times faster than a non-staged property, according to research from The Home Staging Association UK & Ireland (HSA).
What’s more, 94% of estate agents and 100% of developers confirmed that home staging increased the number of viewings a property received.
The findings suggest that home staging should be seen as a ‘vital investment’ that could make you a profit on your property in the long run.
But how much does it actually cost to stage your property effectively? Here at Kings Group, we outline the difference between professional home staging and taking the DIY approach.
The costs of professional home staging
The costs of professional home staging can vary depending on multiple factors, such as if the property is vacant, how many rooms need staging, and the amount of service that is required. However, HSA estimated that costs can range between £500 and £5,000.
According to the report, 70% of estate agents stated home staging increased the offer value by 1-10%, with 16% reporting a 7-10% rise in offer value.
Additionally, 77% of developers saw a return in their investment, noting that the sale of the property paid for the cost of staging.
The costs of DIY home staging
While the costs of professional home staging can be pricey, there are many ways to maximise your property’s potential without breaking the bank. Taking the DIY approach, for example, means prices are often on the cheaper end of the spectrum.
Doing small home improvement tasks – such as decluttering and depersonalising décor – can slash costs and allow prospective buyers to envision themselves in your home, resulting in more potential offers.
Additionally, incorporating the scents of fresh bread and coffee, as well as using ambience lighting throughout the house, is a cost-effective way of giving your home a warm, cosy atmosphere at this time of year.
It’s important to focus on the main areas of your home when staging. Some 74% of estate agents considered the reception room as the most important to be staged for sale, while 10% chose the kitchen and another 10% staged the master bedroom.
Therefore, prioritising these rooms could help you to save on home staging costs, as well as work towards improving the value of your property.
By taking the home staging method into consideration, you can boost your property’s charm, attract more would-be buyers and maximise your chances of achieving the highest sales price.
Of course, our team at Kings Group can help you to achieve this. For more guidance on selling a property in Hertford, Walthamstow, Essex and the surrounding areas, contact your local Kings Group branch today.
We also offer a free instant online valuation so you can see how much your home could be worth on the current market.
