Buyers form their first impression in a few seconds — first from the photos, then in person. The good news: that impression is shaped mainly by things that are cheap and simple. Here is home staging step by step.
1. Clean and declutter
Remove excess items and clear cluttered shelves and worktops. Fewer things = more space and light in the photos. The apartment should feel spacious and well cared for.
2. Depersonalise the interior
Put away family photos, mementoes and very personal decorations. The buyer should be able to picture their own life in this apartment, not be looking at yours.
3. Make minor repairs
A dripping tap, a loose handle, a peeling silicone seal, a burnt-out bulb — these are small things, but they signal neglect to the buyer. Fix them before viewings.
4. Let in light and space
Clean the windows, draw back the curtains, swap burnt-out bulbs for brighter ones. A bright interior looks larger and more pleasant — both in person and in the photos.
5. Go for a neutral style
Neutral wall colours and a simple, tidy arrangement appeal to the widest range of buyers. If the walls are very colourful or worn, freshening them up with paint in a light, neutral shade is often the best-invested money.
6. Take care of the entrance and common areas
The stairwell, the front door and the hallway are the first contact with the property. Clean and neat right from the threshold builds a good impression.
7. Take professional photos
This is the most important marketing step. Good, bright and sharp photos determine the number of enquiries. A professional shoot is standard with us on every listing.
What is not worth investing in
Avoid costly “for-sale” renovations and expensive, tasteful finishes — buyers often prefer to arrange the interior their own way and will not pay extra for your taste. It is better to invest in cleanliness, minor repairs and good photos.
Checklist before the photo shoot
- worktops and shelves cleared, a minimum of items,
- windows cleaned, curtains drawn back, full light,
- bathroom and kitchen gleaming, no personal odds and ends,
- minor faults repaired,
- a neutral, tidy arrangement,
- entrance and hallway clean and neat.
The role of the real estate agency
We will advise on what is worth improving (and what to leave alone), arrange a professional shoot and prepare a listing that sells. After that, we run the whole sale — see how to sell an apartment step by step — in Katowice, Mysłowice and Sosnowiec.