Home staging, or why first impressions matter

Selling or letting a property? Remember that buyers do not care only about "dry data" such as floor area, type of utilities, running costs or even location. First impressions matter a great deal. Want a successful deal? Take some time to stage the property properly.

Preparing a property for sale or rental – why is it so important?

It may seem that people looking for a house for sale or a flat to rent pay attention only to the running costs, the floor area or the location of the property.

It turns out, however, that other factors also affect how quickly an agreement is signed. One of them is the first impression that potential buyers or tenants get on entering the property.

The importance of proper interior staging was demonstrated by research carried out in the United States as early as the 1970s. It showed that even the most attractive properties took longer to find a buyer if they were not properly presented. This is hardly surprising. Clutter, the belongings of previous residents or an unpleasant smell in the hallway can easily dampen the enthusiasm of potential buyers or tenants. Preparing a property for sale is therefore essential, and that is exactly what home staging is about.

Home staging – what exactly is it?

Home staging is a service that has gained enormous popularity in recent years, although it has been around for a long time. It involves properly preparing a house or flat before presenting it to potential buyers.

Importantly, home staging does not involve a thorough renovation. It covers cosmetic measures intended to highlight the property's strengths and bring out its most attractive features.

It is also worth remembering that it is not about hiding any imperfections (for example, covering a damaged wall with furniture or a damaged floor with a rug). Home staging is not meant to deceive the client, but only to help them see the advantages of the flat.

How to prepare a flat for sale or rent?

Every property is slightly different and requires an individual approach. There are, however, general rules that always work. See how to professionally prepare a flat or house for viewings.

Tidy up

It sounds trivial, but when browsing listings of flats to rent or for sale, you may get the impression that their owners often forget this rule. A messy property never looks good, even if it has enormous potential.

The first step before a viewing should always be to remove all rubbish, leftover renovation materials, damaged furniture and anything else that looks unattractive.

Even if a property's best days are behind it and the last maintenance work was done a very long time ago, it will make a better impression on viewers if it is clean and smells fresh.

Remove the previous owners' belongings

The next stage is to remove from view all items belonging to the previous occupants. Knick-knacks, photographs, old bedspreads or faded pictures may once have made the flat feel cosy. Before it is put up for sale, however, they need to go.

Potential clients will not feel comfortable in a property that gives the impression it has not been vacated, and that its owner will be back in a moment to settle comfortably on (their) sofa.

A property put up for sale should have a neutral character. This does not mean emptying it completely of furniture or furnishings. However, the objects should not overwhelm it, but merely be an attractive finishing touch.

Arrange the interior

This is essentially the core task of home staging. The arrangement of a property intended for viewings should give it a pleasant character and emphasise its potential. Details often count here, such as net curtains in the windows, cushions on the sofa or a bouquet of flowers on the table.

You should not overdo it, though. The point is not to decorate every corner of the house or flat, but only to give it a "homely" feel. It is worth opting for neutral colours and style – after all, everyone has slightly different taste.

Home staging may also include taking photographs and placing adverts online or through traditional channels. The photographs should be taken in daylight, without filters or "fisheye" lenses that distort proportions.