As you prepare to sell your home, it is vital to take every step to ensure you are fully prepared for the selling process. You want to do everything possible to set yourself up to sell your home quickly, and at the highest value.
One of our favorite ways to strengthen the sale of your home is Home Staging. But what do you do if you plan to live in your home while it is on the market? You won’t be able to stage it in the same way you would for Vacant Home Staging.
Enter: Occupied Home Staging. But what is Occupied Home Staging, and why do you need it when selling your home? In today’s blog, we’re sharing our thoughts on this important piece of the home selling puzzle!
What Is Occupied Home Staging?
Occupied Home Staging is a type of Home Staging that allows you to continue to live in your space while it is staged.
When staging a home, the goal is to use furniture to show off your home’s best features, allowing potential buyers to envision the home as their own. While Vacant Home Staging allows you to bring in all new furniture and decor, Occupied Staging works a little differently.
Since you are still living in your home during Occupied Staging, your staging team will primarily use the furniture and decor that is already in your home. Depending on the team you work with (and the specifics of your situation), they may bring in a few of their own pieces to bolster the staging design. But their goal is to make it easy for you to go about your days as usual while your home is on the market.
What Is the Difference Between Occupied Home Staging and Vacant Home Staging?
Occupied Home Staging is a home staging process that involves using your home’s furniture to create a staged design that showcases your home’s best qualities while you continue to live in your home.
In an Occupied Staging, your home stager will often rearrange your existing furniture, accessories, and artwork to create a better flow through your home and ensure you get the best photos possible.
Vacant Home Staging, on the other hand, involves your home staging team bringing in furniture to create a fully staged home from scratch.
When possible, Vacant Home Staging is almost always in your best interest. This is because staging professionals know exactly what furniture and decor is the best fit to help your home meet current staging standards. However, a good home stager will be able to make the most of the furniture available during an Occupied Staging.
Why Do You Need Occupied Home Staging?
So who is Occupied Staging for? Why should you hire someone to stage your home while you still live in it?
Occupied Home Staging is the perfect choice for anyone who plans to continue living in their home while it is on the market.
It’s always best if you can move out to allow for Vacant Home Staging, because this allows potential buyers to fully envision your home as their own. It makes the dream more ‘real’ for them! But with the support of a professional home stager, you can help buyers see themselves in your home while you continue to live there.
What Do You Need to Know Before Choosing Occupied Staging?
Before you decide to go with Occupied Home Staging, there are a few things you need to know.
Occupied Staging is a great option, but it does come with some discomfort for the homeowner and their family. Your home will have to be “reset” to pristine condition before each showing. And between showings, you’ll need to maintain a certain level of staging, making sure everything in your home stays clean and organized.
Additionally, the initial staging will include major decluttering and a deep clean. This takes time and energy–and the decluttering process itself can bring some stress. It requires moving things and hiding your personal belongings away. That isn’t easy! You need to be prepared to get rid of a lot of the clutter to make your home feel welcoming to a new family.
Have More Questions About Occupied Home Staging?
If you’re interested in Occupied Staging for the sale of your home, we would love to help you! Our expert home stager, Molly Hennon, is excited to support homeowners in Charleston, SC and the Lowcountry as they prepare to sell their homes.
If you have questions, reach out to us at [email protected]. We wish you luck as you sell your home!