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Once you have sorted all the repairs and renovations, the final stage of preparing your home for sale is ensuring the interior is as inviting as it can be. In the current property market, which is considered flat but stable, with properties taking a median of 49 days to sell, that final polish up may be what it needs to get across the line.
Home staging houses is increasingly used to help highlight a home’s best features. The goal is to highlight the home’s strengths, minimise its flaws, and help buyers visualise themselves living there.
Effective home staging has been shown to reduce time on the market and may even boost the sale price. According to AgentFinder NZ, a well-executed staging can add up to 10 to 15 percent to the final sale price. However, professional staging can cost between $1500 and $5000, while the DIY route offers flexibility but may not always be cost-effective.
On the Hibiscus Coast, several professional home stagers offer tailored services aimed at showcasing your home, but for those keen to tackle staging themselves, there are simple and affordable ways to improve your property’s appeal.
The first step is a deep clean. Go beyond surface vacuuming and dusting, think of those tasks often forgotten such as windows, skirting boards, high shelves, and hidden cobwebs. Tidy up paintwork and attend to minor repairs that can make a space look neglected. Keep décor minimal by clearing shelves, tables and benchtops to help potential buyers picture their own belongings in the space.
Old or tired furniture doesn’t necessarily need replacing. Along with giving any fabrics or pillow covers a good clean, new linen, throws or pillowcases can revive old furniture and help rooms feel fresh and inviting
To create the illusion of space, remove clutter and open blinds to let in natural light. Mirrors can make rooms appear larger, and replacing old bulbs with cooler-toned, white LEDs to brighten kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces.
Street appeal also plays a key role. The exterior is the first impression buyers get, so-called “curb-appeal’ so it’s important to present it well. Even small things like hiding the bins, pulling out weeds, or placing a couple of potted plants by the front door can help the place feel more inviting.
Whether you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself, thoughtful home staging could help your property stand out, and sell faster.
