How Much Should You Invest in Cleaning and Staging Your Home for Sale?

If you're planning to sell your home, you might be wondering how much you should invest in cleaning and staging it to make it more appealing to potential buyers. Cleaning and staging are two of the most effective ways to showcase your home's best features, create a positive first impression and sell it faster and for a higher price. But how much does it cost to clean and stage a home? And is it worth it? The answer depends on several factors, such as the size and condition of your home, the level of service you need, the local market, and your budget. In this blog post, we'll break down the average costs of cleaning and staging a home for sale, the benefits of doing so, and some tips on how to save money without compromising on quality. What Are Cleaning and Staging? Cleaning and staging are two different but related processes that aim to make your home look its best before listing it for sale. Cleaning involves removing any dirt, dust, clutter, odors, and personal items from your home. It also includes deep cleaning areas such as carpets, windows, appliances, bathrooms, and kitchens. Cleaning makes your home look fresh, spacious, and well-maintained. Staging involves arranging furniture, accessories, lighting, and artwork in a way that highlights your home's strengths and minimizes its weaknesses. It also involves creating a mood and a lifestyle that buyers can relate to and aspire to. Staging makes your home look inviting, stylish, and functional. How Much Does It Cost to Clean and Stage a Home? The cost of cleaning and staging a home can vary widely depending on the size and condition of your home, the level of service you need, the local market, and your budget. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of cleaning a home for sale is between $778 and $2,851. The cost depends on how much work is needed, how many rooms need cleaning, how long it takes, and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. The average cost of staging a home for sale is between $500 and $5,500 with most spending between $1,600 and $2,400¹. The cost depends on whether your home is vacant or occupied, how many rooms need staging, how long you need to rent furniture and accessories, whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, and the quality of the items used. If your home is vacant, staging it can be significantly more expensive than if it's occupied. For example, furniture rentals alone can cost $2,000 per month or more¹. If your home is occupied, you might only need some rearranging and decluttering or some minor updates such as new pillows or curtains. Is It Worth It to Clean and Stage Your Home? Cleaning and staging your home can have a significant impact on how quickly and how much you sell your home for. According to the National Association of Realtors' 2023 Profile of Home Staging², based on a survey of nearly 2,000 Realtors across the U.S., some of the benefits of cleaning and staging your home are: - 81% of buyers' agents said staging made it easier for their clients to visualize the property as their home. - 51% said staging has an effect on most buyers' view of the home. - 27% of seller's agents said staged homes spent less time on the market. - 23% said they staged all client homes before listing them for sale. - 20% of all agents said that home staging increased a home's value by up to 5%. - 14% said it increased value by up to 10%. In fact, staged homes sell for around $40,000 over the list price³, according to recent data from the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). How to Save Money on Cleaning and Staging Your Home Cleaning and staging your home doesn't have to break the bank. There are some ways you can save money without compromising on quality. Here are some tips: - Do some of the work yourself. You can save money by doing some cleaning and decluttering yourself or with the help of family or friends. You can also use items you already own or borrow from others to stage your home instead of buying or renting new ones. ``` - Hire professionals wisely. If you decide to hire professionals for cleaning and staging your home, do some research and compare prices and reviews. Ask for referrals from your real estate agent, friends, or family. You might also be able to negotiate a lower rate or a package deal if you hire the same company for both cleaning and staging. - Focus on the most important areas. You don't have to clean and stage every inch of your home. Focus on the areas that buyers care about the most, such as the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and outdoor living spaces⁴. These are the rooms that will make or break a sale, so make sure they look their best. - Use simple and inexpensive updates. You don't have to spend a fortune on new furniture or accessories to stage your home. You can use simple and inexpensive updates such as new pillows, throws, rugs, curtains, lamps, plants, artwork, or candles to add some color, texture, and style to your rooms. You can also paint your walls a neutral color, replace outdated hardware or fixtures, or add some fresh flowers or fruit to brighten up your space. - Declutter and depersonalize. One of the most important steps in cleaning and staging your home is to declutter and depersonalize it. This means removing any excess or unnecessary items that take up space, create visual noise or distract buyers from your home's features. It also means removing any personal items such as photos, trophies, collections, or monogrammed towels that make buyers feel like they're intruding on your space⁴. You want buyers to imagine themselves living in your home, not you. - Get rid of odors. Nothing turns off buyers more than a bad smell in a home. Whether it's from pets, smoke, cooking, or mold, odors can make buyers think that your home is dirty or unhealthy. To get rid of odors, you can use natural remedies such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon, or coffee grounds to absorb and neutralize them. You can also air out your home by opening windows and doors, using fans or dehumidifiers, or changing air filters. Avoid using artificial fragrances such as candles, sprays or plug-ins that might be too strong or unpleasant for some buyers. Conclusion Cleaning and staging your home for sale is a smart investment that can help you sell your home faster and for a higher price. By following these tips, you can save money on cleaning and staging your home without compromising on quality. Remember that cleaning and staging your home is not about hiding its flaws or imposing your taste on buyers. It's about highlighting its strengths and creating a positive impression that makes buyers fall in love with your home.