how the developer sold £30,000 over asking
Transforming Buyer Uncertainty into a Bidding War
Case Study:
How Strategic Home Staging Led to Over Asking Twice
It was costing this developer £700 a month to keep an empty property sitting idle.
When this Swindon property developer was about to bring their latest property to market, they already knew one thing for certain: they didn’t want a repeat of their last sale. Their previous home had been presented empty, and although a premium build, it sat on the market for 18 months. However, despite that struggle, they were still hesitant to invest in professional home staging. Like many property developers, they weren't entirely familiar with the ROI of staging and wondered if the additional investment was truly necessary.
The Estate Agent’s Secret Weapon
The turning point came during a consultation with Alissa Davis and Alex Jewhurst from Swindon EweMove estate agents. The EweMove team knew that listing a vacant property in the current Swindon property market was a gamble. They understood that when home buyers walk into empty rooms, they often face "spatial confusion”, struggling to understand how to use the space or where their furniture would fit.
The Paradox of the "Blank Canvas"
The property was impressive in itself - beautifully built, finished to a high standard, and featuring the kind of large, open-plan layout that today’s buyers crave. The kitchen, the heart of the home, boasted a stunning central island and soaring high ceilings, designed perfectly for modern hosting and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
However, there is a hidden risk with such expansive areas: large, empty rooms can often daunt potential buyers. Without furniture to provide a reference point, it becomes incredibly difficult to judge scale and proportion. During a standard viewing, a buyer only has a few minutes to take everything in. That brief window isn't enough time to answer the questions that inevitably arise, such as how to zone a multi-functional living area or where to place a family-sized sofa without blocking the flow of the room.
Eliminating Buyer Uncertainty
While a small percentage of people can visualise daily life in a void, you risk losing the majority to "mental fatigue." When a buyer is forced to spend their viewing period planning and fitting out the space in their head, they stop feeling and start calculating. Instead of feeling excited about their future home, they feel overwhelmed and uncertain.
In the world of real estate marketing, uncertainty leads to hesitation, and hesitation is the primary reason why even the most beautiful new-build properties struggle to sell. Recognising this, the Swindon estate agents at EweMove realised the property would benefit from professional home staging. They knew that by "zoning" the open-plan layout, we could replace buyer doubt with a clear, aspirational vision of what life could be like in the space.
The Solution: Creating Clarity, Flow, and Lifestyle
Our mission was to bridge the gap between a vacant structure and a dream home, transforming the property from an empty shell into an emotionally engaging space. To do this, we focused on strategic home styling and created aspirational lifestyle styling by curating a look that felt high-end and "Instagrammable" yet remained relatable and achievable for the target demographic.
Selling the Experience, Not Just the Square Footage
A major highlight of the project was showcasing the indoor-outdoor living potential. In the kitchen-diner, we styled a beautifully set table that acted as a focal point for the entire floor. This allowed potential buyers to imagine themselves entertaining, not just during the bright summer months, but creating a warm, inviting atmosphere even through the colder Swindon winters.
By staging the lifestyle, we shifted the buyer's internal dialogue. Instead of asking, "What would I do with this room?", they began thinking, "I can see myself living here." This psychological shift is exactly what drives competitive offers and ensures a high-value property sale.
The Result: Immediate Demand and Competitive Bidding
The market response to our professional property presentation was instantaneous. By moving away from a vacant listing and adopting a staged approach, the developer saw a level of engagement that was significantly higher than their previous 18-month struggle.
The initial impact spoke for itself:
Exceptional Interest: The property generated a surge of enquiries from day one.
Speed to Sale: An offer was accepted on day three of being live on the market.
Above Asking Price: The initial agreed price was a staggering £25,000 over the asking price.
The Ultimate Stress Test: Proving Staging’s Value
Unfortunately, as sometimes happens in the UK housing market, the initial sale fell through due to the buyers' mortgage complications. However, this is where the true value of Home Staging Madders and the EweMove strategy was proven.
In a typical "empty home" scenario, a failed sale can lead to a property becoming "stale." But because the home was staged to perfection, the momentum never faltered. Thanks to the overwhelming demand we had already generated, there were 17 further viewings ready to go. When the property returned to the market, it didn't just sell again; it sparked a bidding war. The final successful offer came in at £30,000 over the asking price.
For this Swindon developer, the investment in staging didn't just pay for itself; it secured a massive ROI and turned a potential setback into a record-breaking result.
The Bigger Picture: Why Staging Changed Everything
This case study serves as a powerful reminder for the UK property industry: staging isn’t about decoration, it’s about marketing strategy. Even the most beautifully built homes can struggle if buyers cannot visualise their daily lives within the walls. By defining space, guiding perception, and telling a compelling lifestyle story, we turn uncertainty into confidence and confidence into record-breaking offers.
If you are a property developer, homeowner, or estate agent wondering if staging is worth the investment, the results of this Swindon home provide a clear and resounding "yes."
Ready to Launch Your Property with Confidence?
Whether you’re preparing a high-end development or selling a family home, don't leave your sale to chance. If you’d like to achieve the strongest possible market launch and secure the best possible ROI, I’m here to help.
Let’s work together to show buyers exactly why your property is the one they’ve been waiting for.