Most buyers decide whether to visit a home in the first few seconds of scrolling through its photos. Staging — preparing and styling your home so buyers can imagine living there — is one of the most effective and affordable ways to stand out. Here are ten tips that work especially well in Miami.
1. Let the light in
Miami’s light is one of its biggest selling points. Open every blind, clean the windows inside and out and replace dark curtains with sheer linen. Schedule photos for the time of day when your main rooms get the best light.
2. Edit, then edit again
Remove at least a third of your furniture and nearly all personal items. Clear surfaces make rooms look bigger and help buyers focus on the architecture and the view.
3. Frame the view
If you have a view of the water, the skyline or a garden, arrange the furniture to point toward it. Remove anything in front of the windows and clean the balcony glass.
4. Stage the outdoor spaces
Balconies, terraces, pools and gardens are part of the living space in Miami. Add a small dining table, two lounge chairs or a pair of planters. Clean the pool, trim the hedges and power-wash patios and walkways.
Buyers in Miami are buying a lifestyle as much as a home. Show them where they will have their morning coffee and where they will watch the sunset.
Amélie Laurent, Rentals Director
5. Choose a calm, warm palette
White and warm neutrals feel fresh and photograph beautifully. Add texture with natural materials — linen, rattan, light oak and stone — and a few green plants.
6. Fix the small things
Repair dripping faucets, loose handles, chipped tiles and scuffed walls. Buyers notice small problems and assume there are bigger ones they can’t see.
7. Make the kitchen shine
Clear the counters except for one or two decorative items, clean the appliances and replace dated light fixtures or cabinet hardware if needed. A bowl of limes or a vase of tropical leaves adds color.
8. Create a restful bedroom
Use crisp white bedding, a couple of pillows and matching bedside lamps. Clear the nightstands and closets — buyers will open them.
9. Think about every sense
Keep the air conditioning at a comfortable temperature for showings, open windows to bring in fresh air when the weather allows and avoid strong scents. Soft background music can help create a relaxed atmosphere.
10. Invest in professional photography
Professional photos are essential, and a floor plan or a video tour helps buyers picture the layout before they visit. Doorstep books a professional photographer for every listing and adds a floor plan and video where they help the home most.
Staging vacant homes
Empty rooms can look smaller and colder than furnished ones. Virtual staging is an affordable option for online photos, but buyers should always know that images have been digitally staged. For higher-priced homes, renting furniture for the duration of the listing often pays for itself.
A one-week staging plan
- Day 1: walk through the home with your agent and make a list of repairs, removals and purchases.
- Days 2–3: declutter, pack personal items and book a storage unit if needed.
- Days 4–5: complete repairs, touch up paint and deep-clean every room, including windows and grout.
- Day 6: style each room with fresh linens, plants and a few accessories.
- Day 7: photography, video and floor plan — then you are ready to launch.
What does it cost?
Simple staging using your own furniture can cost very little. Professional staging for an occupied home usually ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and full staging of a vacant luxury home can cost more. Compared with a price reduction, it is often money well spent.
Ready to sell? Ask our agents for a free staging consultation as part of your listing presentation.
Thinking of listing this season? Request a free valuation and we will walk through your home room by room, from pricing to photography.
