Traditionally, the Spring season is the busiest time of year for the sale of residential properties. Real estate sales in regional areas are benefiting from a growing awareness of the benefits of living a commuter distance from our major cities.

Real estate agents consistently say that presentation makes all the difference when selling, regardless of location. Once seen only in the sale of high-end properties, styling has become almost essential to achieving higher sale prices.

I visit homes where significant to minor adjustments are required prior to the photo shoot and marketing campaign, frequently removing excess furniture and highlighting the flow from room to room. If the house is vacant prior to the sale process, it’s easy to start from scratch, maximising each room’s appeal to a broader group of purchasers.

I recommend a mix of new and used décor objects and furniture when styling a home. It’s all about the potential purchaser having a positive emotional response to the styled home.

Beds should look comfortable with new bed linen, and bathrooms should have fresh towels. Living greenery is also important. From these touches a purchaser will notice on a subliminal level that someone is caring for the property and maintaining it daily.

Every room should start with a comfortable piece of furniture. A sitting room will start with a sofa or chair, followed by a coffee or side table to put your drink on, and a lamp to read by, with one or two décor accessories, all contributing to the room’s ambience.

Styling for sale is different to styling to live in. Your home environment is all about what makes you comfortable, so your furniture selection and placement reflect you and your family.

As with all design work, early engagement with the stylist ensures there will be a reasonable timeframe, especially in the busy sale period from Spring to Christmas.

When done thoroughly, styling a home should take the stylist from 15 to 20 hours, which includes walking through the property, selection of product, arranging and overseeing delivery and removal, presentation of the property, insurance, and returning items to the warehouse.

Some major staging companies will offer a set price for styling a home, which can result in a home that could be seen in any street or real estate advertisement. A better approach is to engage an independent stylist who will spend a little extra time getting to know your property and who you are before bringing in furniture, artwork and décor items to style your home for sale.

Published in the November 2021 Issue of The Trentham Trumpet