The key to selling your home faster and for more money? Staging. And while this is true at every price point, when it comes to luxury listings, the stakes are even higher. You’ve probably already heard of the most common staging advantages — from the power it holds to showcase a home’s unique qualities to the way it can enhance a listing’s appeal in the eyes of a wide range of buyers. But how can you make luxury staging work for you? Check out these five secrets to leaving an impression on potential buyers during your next luxury sale!

#1 Fuse Form with Function

While it’s important to stage your home in a way that impresses potential buyers, you also need to showcase that the home is both livable and functional. Case in point: just because you have enough space to fit two or three upscale couches, doesn’t always mean you should.

So — what are buyers looking for? Anyone who comes to look at your house is hoping to get a sense for the home’s flow, and how it will function as the backdrop for all of their day-to-day adventures. Because most luxury homes have sprawling layouts and multiple rooms to explore, it’s critical that your home’s staging is designed to maximize the available space, while giving buyers a clear picture of what it would be like to live there. In short? As important as that wow-factor is, comfort, sustainability, and convenience should also be at the top of your list.

#2 Think It Through

The #1 key to selling something with success? Know who’s buying. That means that well before you start rearranging furniture and staging your home, you need to have a plan. Talk to your agent to devise a staging strategy based on factors like: What type of people will be interested in buying this property? What lifestyle features are important to them? Once you know the profile of your target buyers, the staging strategy will snap into focus.

➤ Make sure that you understand both sides of the transaction by reading these resources:

• Hot Tips for Millennial Home Buyers
• How to Price Your Home to Sell
• Everything You Need to Know About Buying & Selling A Luxury Home in DC

#3 Don’t Cut Corners (literally)

Staging a luxury home is not something you can do halfway. If you’re going to invest the time and money to really impress potential buyers, it doesn’t make sense to professionally stage a few rooms and leave others untouched. This will create an imbalance that’s evident — and even worse, noticeable to your buyer pool.

You don’t have to give your home a complete makeover, but every room should be staged in a way that allows each buyer to envision their life there.

#4 Go Neutral

Your home is a reflection of your unique style — a carefully cultivated setting that’s been honed to perfection (and your taste) over the years you’ve lived there. Maybe, for instance, you’ve added a bright and bold accent wall to a bedroom, or outfitted your living room furniture in animal print. And while there’s no right or wrong when it comes to design, the world of staging is a bit more black and white.

So, while it might pain you to paint over your masterpiece, more natural colors and tones are the key to creating a sense of place for prospective buyers.

Worried about being too vanilla? Not to fear — your staging can still feature furniture, design elements, and decor that makes a statement.

#5 Remember that you aren’t just selling a home…you’re selling a lifestyle

You wouldn’t start furnishing a house without thinking through your lifestyle, right? Staging is no different. The items you use to stage your home should complement the way of life that comes with living there.

What does that mean, exactly? If your house is on the water, use staging techniques that highlight the fantastic views or the easy access to the sea. If your home is an oasis for entertaining, focus on the way the layout, design, and amenities of the home making hosting guests a breeze. When buyers can imagine themselves living the life of their dreams in your house, they form an emotional connection and are much more likely to make an offer. The bottom line? If you can sell the lifestyle, the house is never far behind.

➤ Click here to read more about the staging process of your home sale

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