How COVID-19 Is Influencing Real Estate Trends in San Antonio and Austin

COVID-19 has had a large influence on real estate trends in San Antonio, Austin, and the surrounding areas. Since the pandemic began, people have spent more time than ever before inside their homes. As you can imagine, homeowners are starting to realize that their current home does not suit their new lifestyle and needs.

As a Realtor or Builder, it is imperative that your listings meet all the current design trends so they will sell quickly and for high profits. With wish lists shifting, home staging is a must. BY Design Home Staging will transform your listing to have exactly what your target buyer is looking for! Here are some of the trends buyers are looking for due to the impact of COVID-19.

Stage Defined Spaces Inside the Home

Modern, open concept floor plans are scaling back while traditional designs are making a comeback. With the entire family working, playing, learning, and living under one roof, people are realizing that a clear distinction between spaces is essential for their productivity and sanity. 

Moving forward, as people continue to work from home, buyers will be looking for a home office space that can be dedicated to quiet work and privacy. In fact, multiple offices and possibly a schoolroom may be required as well. 

Home office staged by BY Design Home Staging, photo by Maverick Photography

Highlight Cleanliness and Storage

Entryways and mudrooms are about to experience the ultimate glow-up. More than just a drab place to drop shoes, people are now sanitizing themselves and their belongings the moment they walk through the door. We will be seeing sinks and increased storage in this zone.

As home stagers, we can make entryways look and feel a bit more clean with the perfect white paint color on the walls, an easy-to-clean surface to drop and sanitize bags, and a handy spot for masks and hand sanitizer, in lieu of a proper handwashing station.

There will be a new emphasis on mudrooms and entryways due to COVID-19.

During quarantine, dining-in is often the only option, which is why kitchens are becoming the heart of the home again. Antimicrobial countertops and stainless steel appliances are in high demand.

As you can probably assume by looking down the aisles at the grocery store, extra food storage areas are a must as people try to avoid going out more often than necessary. For a long while, staging the pantry has seemed outdated, but it is now time to bring back the art of a few well-placed baskets and bottles. We draw attention to extra food storage spaces and easy-to-clean surfaces through our staging, since these features are now highly attractive to buyers.

Create an Outdoor Retreat

As these summer months come and go, many people have canceled their vacations and spent their sunny days at home. We encourage Realtors and homeowners to allow us to stage an outdoor space as an expanded living area, even if it is just a small patio. Homeowners, now more than ever, need to focus more on landscaping their front and back yard prior to putting their home on the market. We will also stage with plants, indoors and out, as a stress-reducing reminder of life and vitality.

An outdoor space staged by BY Design Home Staging.

Working from home means more leisure time to care for plants and pets. Highlight any pet-friendly features like a fenced yard, dog-washing station, or built-in kennel. But remember, the pets themselves must stay out of the home during showings – along with food bowls, toys, etc. While pet-friendly features are desired by many buyers, signs of the pets themselves may make buyers think the house has unwanted stains and smells.

These are just a few of the home staging trends we are seeing as a result of the ongoing coronavirus. We are constantly up-to-date on the latest home staging and real estate trends and will make sure to emphasize all the right features in your listing to get it sold for top dollar in a shorter amount of time. 

You understand the power of home staging. You know the difference it makes in getting your listings sold. Your clients may not be as educated on the benefits, though.

This infographic is the perfect way to get them on board. Include it in your listing packet, offer it as a resource on your website, or use it as a social media post.

Make your listing shine with BY Design Home Staging! Book your Color Consultation and Vacant Staging Consultation in San Antonio and the surrounding areas today.