There are a number of reasons older adults might decide to sell a home and move to a retirement community like Oak Trace. For example, adult children may now own their own homes, leaving more space than you need. In addition, lifestyle changes or a desire to do away with home maintenance tasks are popular reasons to make the transition.
Whatever the reason for selling your home, staging it before putting it on the market can make a significant difference in the speed at which it sells and the ultimate selling price. Discover why staging a home makes such a difference, and get tips on successfully staging yours.
How and Why Seniors Stage Their Homes for Sale
Home staging is the process of cleaning, rearranging and, to some extent, remodeling in order to make a house more appealing to a wide range of potential buyers. There are many compelling reasons to stage your home before selling, but perhaps the most convincing is that homes that are staged before market sell 73% faster than their un-staged counterparts.
So the why of staging is clear, but what about the how? You could stage the home yourself, but it’s much easier to work with a reputable real estate agent or professional staging company. They can do the heavy lifting for you (figuratively and literally) while you enjoy the process of settling into your new home at a community like Oak Trace.
How Professionals Stage a Home
Staging a home is about more than straightening things up and throwing out excess clutter. For professionals, the staging process actually consists of two phases – the pre-stage and the stage itself.
Pre-Staging
In the pre-staging phase, one is cleaning, organizing and planning for the actual stage itself. If you hire a staging professional, this is when they will determine where your furniture should be placed, what should be stowed away or left out for the showings, and what minor projects can be done to improve your home’s appeal.
Staging
The staging phase is the active part of the process. Furniture is moved around according to the plan, walkways are cleared and unique touches are added to make showings a more immersive experience for potential buyers.
Staging can include often-overlooked details like fragrance, as well. A staging professional may add bouquets of fresh flowers or mildly-scented lavender or vanilla candles. Another common tip for staging your house before a sale is to remove personal items. Tucking away family photos, awards and trophies, and removing pet items can allow potential buyers to envision their own life in the home.
Though staging your home doesn’t guarantee a faster sale or a higher selling price, the process of highlighting your home’s best features gives you the best chance of making a smooth and successful sale.
Speak with a Move-in Coordinator at Oak Trace
When you’re ready to make the move to a retirement community, the move-in coordinators at Oak Trace are here to help make your transition seamless and comfortable. We’re there every step of the way: before, during and after move-in day. Contact us today to learn more about what your life at Oak Trace could be like.
