The COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK property market hard. Prices fell sharply in 2020. But, there’s a smart solution to avoid losing value. More and more homeowners and estate agents are turning to home staging.
Research has shown that staged homes can sell 91% within a month. They also tend to fetch higher prices, upping the home value by 6-20%. Home staging shines a light on a property’s top features. It makes buyers more likely to fall in love with a place and imagine themselves living there.
Key Takeaways
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the UK property market, leading to a sharp drop in prices.
- Homeowners and estate agents are increasingly turning to home staging to avoid property devaluation and lengthy time on the market.
- Home staging is an effective strategy to quickly sell properties at higher prices.
- Research shows that staged homes sell 91% within one month and can increase home value by 6-20%.
- Home staging highlights a property’s best features, appeals to buyers’ tastes, and helps them envision themselves living there.
The Rise of Home Staging in the Post-COVID-19 Era
The COVID-19 pandemic caused UK property prices to fall. The Telegraph reported a 1.7% price drop between March and April 2020, the biggest since 2009. Knight Frank and Savills expect prices to fall by 3-5% in 2020, then rise by 4-5% in 2021. To avoid these drops and speed up sales, homeowners and agents use home staging to make properties more appealing.
Property Market Decline and the Need for Home Staging
Post-COVID, the UK’s property market saw prices decrease. This made it critical for sellers to maintain their property’s value and decrease their sale time. Home staging has become a sought-after tactic for sellers. It allows them to showcase their property’s strong points. Doing so attracts more potential buyers and helps their property stand out.
Home Staging Benefits: Quick Sales and Higher Valuations
Staged Homes’ research showed that 91% of staged properties sell within a month. These homes can also see a value increase by 6-20%. By highlighting a property’s best parts and camouflaging its weaker areas, home staging attracts more buyer interest. As a result, not only do sales happen quicker, but they also can achieve higher prices. This makes it a wise investment for sellers, especially in the current market trends.
What is Home Staging?
Home staging is when a house is prepared for selling. It makes the home more attractive to potential buyers. This is done by using design tricks to highlight the best parts of the home.
It includes arranging furniture, removing clutter, adding decorations, and doing small changes. The aim is to make the house look like a model home. This helps buyers see themselves living there.
Preparing a Home for Sale to Enhance Buyer Appeal
The main aim of home staging is to make the home appealing to buyers. It makes the home look like a model, attracting more people and good offers. This usually makes the selling process faster and the selling price better.
The Role of Professional Home Stagers
Professional home stagers are key in the process. They are experts in design, space, and what buyers like. They work with owners and agents to make the home look perfect for the potential buyers.
Home Staging business
The Home Staging Association UK & Ireland is the top group for home staging experts, suppliers, and others. It was started by home staging professionals who wanted to share their knowledge. Now, it helps many people in the business learn and connect.
The Home Staging Association UK & Ireland
It’s the main group for the home staging and property staging business in the UK and Ireland. The HSA links people together to help the industry grow. They’re the go-to place for anyone wanting to learn or share their ideas.
Training and Support for Home Staging Professionals
The HSA UK & Ireland offers great training and support for home staging professionals. They give members the latest info, training, and chances to meet other pros. These help property staging experts improve, run better businesses, and follow the newest trends.
Why Do Sellers Stage Their Homes?
Sellers stage their homes for two big reasons. First, it helps them get a higher price. Second, it makes the selling process faster. Studies show staged homes can sell for 6-20% more and sell within a month.
By making a home look its best, more people are interested. This brings in better offers. So, sellers can close the sale quickly and at a good price.
Maximising Selling Price and Minimising Time on the Market
Staging their home can help sellers win in two ways. It makes their home seem more valuable, raising the selling price. And it brings in buyers faster, with most staged homes selling within a month.
This is great for sellers and those helping them sell, like real estate agents. They can earn more and find new clients quickly.
The Impact of Home Staging on Sales
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) often looks into how home staging affects sales. Their 2019 study revealed that 40% of buyers’ agents think home staging changes how most buyers see a home. Moreover, 83% of the agents found that staging helps buyers see themselves living in the home.
Another interesting point is that 28% of sellers’ agents say they stage every home before selling. On the other hand, only 13% stage homes that are hard to sell.
Staged Homes Sell Faster and For Higher Prices
Studies have shown that beautifully staged homes sell quickly and at better prices. A whopping 83% of buyers’ agents agree that home staging helps buyers picture their future in a home. Plus, 22% of sellers’ agents say that staging increased buyers’ offers by 1-5%.
About 17% of the sellers’ agents also mentioned a 6-10% rise in home value, showing the power of staging.
Return on Investment for Home Staging
Home staging can lead to a much better sale price for sellers. Staged homes often sell for 6-10% more than the asking price. This means on a £100,000 sale, sellers could get an extra £6,000. And their estate agents might earn £3,000 more.
In the UK, where houses cost about £1,365,700 on average, the gains could be huge. Sellers might see an extra £81,942. The agent could get an additional £40,971.
Potential Increase in Home Value and Agent Commissions
Estate agents who look ahead see the value in home staging. They advise their clients to stage their homes well. Independent agents are especially keen on home staging. They know it brings more buyers and higher prices.
On the other hand, large agencies might avoid suggesting staging. This could be because of their business model or focus on quick sales.
Real Estate Agent Perspectives on Staging ROI
Many estate agents see the good in staging homes. They suggest it to help get better deals for their clients. Independent agents, in particular, strongly support home staging. They can offer more personalised services.
For them, staging means more buyers, faster sales, and better prices. However, big agencies could shy away from this. Their reasons might be related to how they do business or their sales goals.
Estate Agents and Home Staging Recommendations
Estate agents working on their own or in smaller groups often push for home staging. They like being able to guide their clients towards these services. They see how staging a home can help it sell faster and for more money. Because of this, they’re happy to bring in professional stagers to get the best outcomes for their clients.
Independent Agents as Advocates for Staging
When it comes to recommending home staging, independent agents often lead the way. They can control what services they provide, which includes suggesting home staging. These agents understand the advantages of staging homes for quick sales and better prices. So, they make sure to advise their clients to use professional stagers to help achieve top results.
Franchise and Corporate Agency Constraints
On the other hand, big corporate agencies and franchises might not share the same enthusiasm for home staging. They’re tied down by strict brand rules and agreements with their franchises. These can limit the extra services they offer. They might also put speeding up the selling process over making the property as attractive as possible. This approach could mean they miss out on the benefits of home staging. Clients of these agents might not get the advice and help they need to make their property market-ready.
Why Some Estate Agents Advise Against Staging
Why do some estate agents say no to home staging? It’s because they aim to get contracts signed fast, not to make properties look their best. They handle many clients, so can’t give each one as much attention. Their main goal is signing contracts quickly, which may not help you sell your home faster or for more money.
Prioritising Quick Contract Signing Over Maximising Sale Potential
There are agents who value signing contracts quickly more than enhancing a property’s selling power. They aim to sign many contracts, not necessarily to get the best deal for you. Though this quick approach can benefit the agent, selling too fast without staging might mean not getting the highest price for your property.
Lack of Personalised Service and Client Dedication
Some agents don’t recommend staging due to a lack of personalised service and dedication to clients. Large agencies, especially, often have many clients for each agent. This means less dedicated time for each vendor. The focus is more on the number of contracts signed than on quality service and client outcomes. Therefore, these agents might not suggest staging as it needs more time and effort from both the agent and the vendor.
Choosing the Right Estate Agent for Home Staging
When you sell your home, picking the right estate agent matters a lot. You want one who realises how important home staging is. Estate agents who work for themselves are often a top choice. They can control what services they provide and focus more on getting you the best deal. These agents tend to team up with professional home stagers. They give tailored advice and aim to boost your property’s selling power, rather than rushing to sign a contract.
The Importance of Quality-Focused, Bespoke Service
Picking an estate agent who cares about quality and taking a bespoke approach is key. Agents who are independent or work for themselves shine in this area. They can offer more custom services. They know how essential top-notch home staging is for selling your property fast and at the best price. So, they work closely with staging experts to help you get the best outcome.
Home Staging Services in the UK
Home staging in the UK prepares properties for successful sales. They help both homeowners and estate agents. The aim is to make homes look their best. This attracts buyers and gets the best sale prices.
Full Property Furnishing and Dressing
UK home stagers create stunning spaces with the right furniture and decor. They aim to make homes look like model houses. This helps potential buyers see themselves living there.
Remote Styling Advice and In-Home Consultations
They also offer remote advice and house visits. Remote services give homeowners tips from experts without an in-person visit. In-home visits provide personal attention. A stager comes to the home, checks the space, and gives advice on making it market-ready.
Decluttering, Organising, and Project Management
They assist with decluttering, organising, and managing projects. Stagers help clear out what’s not needed. They make sure rooms look spacious and inviting. They also handle minor repairs and prep work needed before showing the house.
Finding a Professional Home Stager
Looking for a top-notch home stager in the UK? Start by checking out those in the Home Staging Association UK & Ireland. They’re backed with the best training, resources, and support. This means they can provide you with top-notch services. For help in choosing the right professional for your needs, you can contact the Home Staging Association UK & Ireland.
Hiring someone from the Home Staging Association UK & Ireland ensures you work with an expert. They have deep knowledge, dedication, and skills to get great results. These experts know how to make your property stand out, making it look like a dream home. This attracts more potential buyers.
Want to boost your property’s sale or offer top services as an estate agent? A trusted home staging expert is key. They can make sure your home looks its best. This can result in quicker sales at better prices.
