As we wrap up staging for Oakmont, we wanted to share how staging can really help sell a house and some tips we learned along the way.
Oakmont was a home that had many beautiful features. The dining room built-ins, kitchen bay windows, and Carolina room immediately come to mind. (Honestly if this house was in our budget we may have scooped it up for ourselves!) Unfortunately it had seen a little bit of wear and tear after its last (not-so-great) tenant.
How Staging Helps Sell.
We've always staged our flips and do receive compliments on the staging in addition to the renovations; however it's kind of difficult to equate how helpful staging is when selling a home that is already nicely updated.
So what about staging homes that have some wear and tear and can use a couple updates?
The "stats" for Oakmont speak for themselves:
The property was listed on April 1st with a tenant still in the home. It did not show well. It was then shown a few times vacant with no bites. After staging the place at the end of June (including new MLS photos), the house was under contract in less than two weeks with the first buyer to see the home staged!
How to Stage a House Well.
Here's the rundown on three important things we learned when staging a home that is not necessarily completely updated:
1. Stick to a neutral palette and style.
With clean, neutral colors, you are ensuring that you do not clash with the paint colors the seller has previously selected. In a way you may even be helping tone down some crazy colorful walls, too. If you're buying your own furniture to stage, it is a good investment to buy mostly neutral so you can ensure that anything you've purchased will look good in any house. Same goes with buying the style of furniture. You want to invest mostly in pieces that can span across a variety of styles. You don't want to buy all shabby chic-specific pieces and then use that in a mid-century modern home!
This deep red Carolina room looks especially striking with a neutral staging palette that does not compete with the wall color.
Creams, golds, blacks, and whites are the only colors in the master bedroom in order to help tone down the green walls that may not appeal to the average buyer.
Conversely, in a dark kitchen with black cabinets, it is good to incorporate some pops of color to give the area some depth.
2. Showcase the house's best features.
What features of the home really impressed you? What do you think will appeal to the buyer so that they absolutely NEED to have this house? Is it the ample sunlight streaming in from the Carolina room? An oasis with many plants may be your best bet. Is it the cute built-ins that bring extra character to the dining area? Filling those with some perfectly curated pieces will go a long way. Whatever it is that you appreciate about the house, make sure the buyer appreciates it too!
Close up of decorated built-ins.
Smaller, skinny chairs so to not block the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that flank the fireplace.
Translucent table and chair set does not restrict all the ample light coming in from the bay windows in the eat-in kitchen area.
Conversely, use objects such as large plants or furniture to distract the eye from unsightly (although necessary) things like HVAC returns.
3. Don't Half Ass a Space.
It's either all or nothing in our books personally. Either you don't furnish an area or you fully furnish it. Nothing in between. It looks skimpy and like an afterthought if you only halfway stage an area versus not staging it at all. If there's a huge blank wall and it's the main focal point of the room, it should be filled with something that enhances the space. That could mean simply going to an art store, buying a canvas, throwing some paint on it and calling it abstract art. All my best art is when I have a bottle of wine and am in a pinch with staging. If you feel like you're spreading 2 shelves worth of decor across 10 shelves, don't do it. Shop your home to fill the holes. I should however note there is a difference between perfectly minimalist decor versus just plain skimpy.
This artwork was brought to you by a bottle of rosé. The space would have felt unfinished without something filling that large gap between the green leather chairs.
Ultimately, staging allows buyers to visualize themselves in a space. It helps them see that you do not need a fully renovated home to be happy and make it your own!