Styling Your Home To Sell
Your Three Styling Options Thanks To Pulse Property
Posted September, 2021
The Hired Home
You've decided to sell your home. Choosing to sell what is probably your biggest asset is a daunting task. To help navigate one of the most important factors in the process - property styling - we spoke to Pulse Property and their go-to styling expert, Rochelle Halatau from RH Interior Styling, for some insider tips.
Pulse Property, one of the Shire’s leading real estate agents, knows first hand that strategic styling adds real value come auction day. They suggest three options when it comes to styling your home to sell. Each has its pros and cons (we'll get to that) and the right fit depends on your time, budget and whether you're confident at styling.
No matter which option you choose, the goal remains the same: to improve the chances of selling your property and to achieve the highest possible sale price. Ultimately, you want to allow potential buyers to envision themselves making your property their home.
From working alongside a stylist, to completely handing over the reins, keep reading to find out which is the best fit for you.
The Hired Home
1. Complete Property Styling: For the seller with little time and a generous budget
Option number one involves handing over the whole process to an external company - we’re talking styling, set up and pack down.
This external company will style your home from top to bottom, highlighting its best features and minimising the likelihood of buyer objections. All furniture remains in your home for the entire sales process, only being removed once the property is sold.
This option, although the most expensive of the three, provides a blank canvas for stylists to work their magic and achieve a neutral, decluttered and organised space. It’s also stress-free and the perfect option if you’re time-poor!
If this sounds like the right fit for you, Pulse highly recommends The Hired Home.
2. Property styling where clients will keep all items: For the seller wanting to transition pieces to their new home
“If you’re going to spend the money, you might as well keep the items!” says Rochelle, Pulse’s style guru and local interior designer.
As you may have guessed, option two involves hiring a stylist to conduct a walk-through of your home and then purchase all pieces required. These items will be yours to keep! Rochelle specialises in just this and can also source pieces that will suit your next home. Consider it a two for one!
"Rather than hiring furniture, clients can pay the same and keep the furniture. The aim with this service is to use what clients have existingly and add to it. This may be as simple as changing the linen and adding plants and cushions; you’ll be surprised at how much this can really lift a space. The biggest thing is to remove clutter and personalised items throughout the home whilst presenting a neutral pallet."
Rochelle will work to ensure your home is presented in the best possible light, regardless of your budget, “We want to focus on the main rooms that will be photographed as these are what help buyers choose which properties to inspect. With the remaining budget, we can then put cheaper items in other rooms.”
Option two isn’t only a time saver but provides great value for money. BONUS: Rochelle receives a trade discount anywhere from 10% to 20% which basically covers her service fee.
3. One-off consult: For the seller with minimal budget or styling know-how
Finally, option number three! If you have minimal budget or would like to put your styling skills to the test, this one may be for you. This option involves having a stylist assess your home and provide a list of products for you to purchase yourself. Rochelle charges a one-off consult fee of $149 for this service. Along with receiving a complete product list, Rochelle will also suggest which pieces should be re-arranged, taken out or added in.
"For me, it's about being honest with my clients and ensuring the property presents to the masses. Changes could be as simple as adding a plant or piece of art or removing clutter. We want to make your space looks clean and fresh.”
Even if your budget is tight, there’s no doubt that this one-off fee provides a super cost-effective and value-packed solution. Ultimately, knowledge is power so any help from a stylist will ensure your property stands out.“At the end of the day, you’re competing with every other house on the market, where the majority have had a stylist come through."
A few more questions for Rochelle
Do you service every kind of home?
"From apartments to 5 bedroom houses - each deserves respect and an astute attention to detail. I count my blessings daily that I get to do a job that I truly love. My obsession with interiors and creating space people have a connection to is everything to me. So yes, we welcome all properties!"
Tell us more about your experience in real estate.
“I worked as a real estate agent for several years which really opened up my eyes to all the different types of properties on the market and what buyers expect to see. What I learnt is that presentation is everything! Buyers want to walk into a clean well presented space where they can imagine themselves and their families living.
A well-curated selection of furniture and accessories, along with the correct composition of furniture, changes the way potential buyers interact with a space in a really positive way.”
Before & After
Need a trade?
Property styling adds undeniable value to your home, similar to a fresh coat of paint, new light fitting or backyard revamp. Home maintenance and strategic styling go hand in hand, which is why both Pulse and Rochelle offer a trades list of local trusted and fully qualified tradesmen. We’re talking painters, flooring, plumbers, electricians and more. These guys are on hand to quickly tackle the jobs on your list and can provide solutions to any issues you may have. Even if you’re not a Pulse client, you can still grab a copy by contacting Pulse here.
Details
Image credit: Before & after shots are by RH Interior Styling
