Essential reasons why property styling is no longer a luxury but a necessity
Interior Design and Interior Decoration services for home owners are often viewed as a luxury that not everybody can afford. But when it comes to selling homes, using a property stylist is fast becoming a necessity in today’s competitive housing market. Here are some essential reasons why you should consider using a property stylist when it comes to selling your home.
1. Increase the value of your home
Increasing the value of your home is one of the main reasons people use the services of a property stylist. It has been proven time and time again that when properties are styled to sell, they are generally sold for a higher price and at a faster rate. The outlay cost for a property stylist can be between $2,500 for a basic partial styling package to $15,000 or more for grand homes with multiple bedrooms and living areas. However, this styling cost should be regarded as a potential investment and not a cost or expense. The return gained from the higher sale price can be between 5% to 10% and in some cases much more. Styling fees are also much cheaper than having to reduce the sale price for properties that have been sitting on the market for a long period of time.
2. Attracts more interest
With so many properties being sold on the market, homes for sale need to stand out particularly when many other homes are also being sold within your same street and in surrounding areas. Prospective buyers are more likely to be drawn to inspecting homes that are presented at their absolute best. This is because vacant houses and un-styled occupied properties often lack appeal and character or can appear messy and cluttered. The more interest that arises from styled homes, the more offers are put on the table for the Agent. It is from this higher level of interest from multiple interested parties that often leads to a higher sale price.
3. Highlight the best features of your property
Property stylists are skilled in highlighting the best features of your property and understand the importance of making a great first impression. They have a trained eye for spatial planning, functionality and colour. When property stylists attend a styling consultation, they consider how to best present your property. Stylists often apply clever furniture placement techniques to make rooms appear more spacious and inviting. They also consider how the home will be best captured for professional photography. It is these professional online marketing photos and videos that help showcase the best assets of a property and ultimately increases the appeal for potential buyers.
4. Assist overwhelmed vendors
Stylists are often a welcome help for overwhelmed vendors who need assistance in deciding which furniture items, art or accessories can be used for partial styling services. They also provide advice on which areas need to be decluttered and what items need to be stored away. Stylists will also decide on the overall styling concept for the house as well as the colour palette for each room. For vacant properties, stylists need time to prepare and select items from their own inventory to create a co-ordinated and elegant styling look. This requires selecting all the furniture, rugs, art, bedding and accessories that are the ideal size, texture, shape and colour for each room. All these need to be carefully selected to ensure they are in harmony with the existing features of the home such as the colour and textures of the wall, flooring and cabinets.
5. Stylists ensure your art and mirrors are hung just right
It may seem simple enough, but there is a science behind hanging mirrors and wall art correctly. We have visited many homes where mirrors are hung so high that unless you’re extra tall, most people would not be able to see their own reflection. In other cases, the existing wall art is much too small for the large walls on which they are hung or vice versa. As art work and mirrors provide a strong focal point to any room, stylists are experts in ensuring they are the correct size for the wall and hung at the ideal height.
6. Stylists are more than just a furniture hire company
Many may question whether property styling is really worth the cost. However, it’s important to remember that property stylists are so much more than just a furniture hire company. Property stylists bring their experience and expertise to every job. They are often qualified as Stylists, Interior Decorators or Interior Designers and have a high level understanding of design elements and principles. They also acknowledge the importance of scale, proportion, colour and composition. The overall styling fee therefore includes more than just the furniture that is on hire. It also includes the time and expertise from a team of stylists and delivery removalists involved in the styling installation and removal of the furniture items after the house has been sold.
Let’s face it, selling your home is a stressful exercise. There are so many decisions to make and often within a limited time frame. Engaging the services of a property stylist will help take off the pressure on how to best present your home for sale with the aim of achieving a higher sale price. If you are thinking of selling your home and need some friendly advice, please contact us and we would be more than happy to speak to you.
Still not convinced, here are some before and after pictures that highlight why property styling will give you that edge when selling your home.
