How to Stage Your Home for Millennial Buyers
Today’s new buyers
Today, peoples' tastes and needs are fast-changing. What is trendy one day is easily forgotten the next. New generations are used to these quick transitions and following what's “hot.” Millennials are no different. They have a specific worldview that’s reflected in their desires and tendencies. It’s no surprise that they have distinctive requirements when buying a new house. Knowing how to stage your home for millennial buyers is half of the job when selling the house. The majority of people who are buying real estate today are, in fact, millennials. If you know how they think and what they prefer, you can get a better price for your property!
Before staging your home to accommodate millennial buyers, it's good to research and gain some insights about these generations. Staging is one of the factors which can affect the value of your property, so it has to be done correctly.
Who are the Millennials?
You probably heard the term Millennials a lot of times before. If you were born between the 1980s and 2000s, you're one of them! Of course, it's essential to understand many nuances between generations. Each one grew up in different circumstances with different influences. However, some similarities do exist. They have some general characteristics in common.
First, most Millennials have been in touch with technology since they were kids. They witnessed its fast advancement and had to constantly adapt their skills (today, it’s known as digital literacy).
Second, the world that Millennials grew up in was very fast-changing, as it still is. You can hear Baby boomers say how new generations are always in a hurry and expect everything "right now" (instant gratification). However, this is not necessarily a bad characteristic. They are simply practical and prefer not to waste their time.
Finally, Millennials strive to take care of the environment and themselves. They are very aware of ecological issues and are trying to be responsible. Also, these generations developed a “self-care” culture. They want to live a balanced and healthy life.
All these characteristics are reflected in their taste, so it's essential to consider them when selling your home. Here are some suggestions on how to stage your home to be more appealing to millennial buyers.
Best ways to stage your home for millennial buyers
Here are some universal tips that will appeal to most millennials.
Millennials like “smart” homes
As we said, Millennials grew up with the benefits of technology. They are used to doing everything using their smartphones. And if there's something they can hardly function without, it's the Internet.
Try to adapt your house to some new technological solutions. It doesn’t have to be something too complicated. For example, you can install voice assistance or light controls, USB outlets, or a keyless entry system.
What would be even more appealing for the millennial crowd is if you could connect some of these features to your smartphone.
One of the best tips to stage your home for millennial buyers is to make your home "smart."
Eco-friendly houses are more attractive
Because of the ecological issues, Millennials are a more conscious generation. They are willing to pay more for sustainable homes with eco-friendly features.
One of the things to consider when you stage your home for Millennial buyers is upgrading energy efficiency. It's something they're willing to invest in because it's practical. Energy-efficient features can cut down financial costs in the long run and are eco-friendly.
Some of the possible solutions are LED lights, solar panels, or smart thermostats. You can always go with more affordable investments such as these. Displaying natural materials (like wood) or decorating a house with potted plants also gives an eco-friendly feeling.
A house should promote work-life balance and a healthy lifestyle
Many Millennials today are self-employed and choose to be based at home. Even if they have full-time jobs somewhere else, remote work and work from home are very popular among them. Implementing a home office is a great way to attract millennial buyers.
Another thing to consider is promoting a healthy work-life balance. Millennials will appreciate a home that will allow them to maintain this balance. Although very work-engaged, they try to take good care of themselves.
Remember, when staging a home, there is always a way to make it more appealing with simple, low-cost decorations.
For example, you can decorate your bathroom to have a spa appeal. A basket of soaps and lotions together with candles can make a big difference! And it's very affordable!
As for a healthy lifestyle, the room which promotes it the most is the kitchen. You can always research what's popular and stage your kitchen with some modern appliances and gadgets.
The home office is one of the features millennials appreciate.
Decluttering and the open space
One of the most important things to consider when staging your home for millennial buyers is decluttering. Be sure to remove all the personal staff and unnecessary items—millennials like things simple. They can envision what the place would look like with their belongings. If there are no personal items in sight, it is easier for them to imagine living in that house.
In addition, decluttering opens up the space. If your living room or a bedroom has a lot of furniture, remove some of it. Millennials appreciate open space, which allows a free flow. Also, make sure to brighten up a room!
Millennial-style interior
The interior should not be in just one color. However, it should not be too flashy either. For the living room, it’s better to have some natural and calmer colors, like dark green, white or beige. This also gives a sense of open space. On the other hand, they prefer cozier and warmer tones for the bedroom or kitchen.
Furniture should be minimalistic. A mix of modern and traditional is preferable. The main idea is for a room not to be cluttered.
Keep in mind that a good home staging takes time and investments. However, there is always a way to speed up the process, especially if you have to sell quickly.
Millenials appreciate homes with lots of open space.
Know your buyer
Each generation is unique and has some specific preferences. The important thing is to learn about them and adapt. Currently, millennials are the ones who buy most of the real estate. Hopefully, these guidelines can help you better understand how to stage your home for millennial buyers.
