Home staging is the process of setting up a house with furniture and décor so it will be more likely to sell -- and sell for more money. Professional Realtors® know how to evaluate a home and make changes so it is more appealing to buyers. Even the most well-designed homes may undergo staging to prepare them for the market. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time or money staging your home. You can prepare it for an open house and increase the perceived home value by following these quick tips.
#1) Add Mirrors
It’s true what they say that mirrors make a room look bigger. However, there’s more than one reason to add them to your home. Mirrors are neutral decor. They are less likely to distract buyers than paintings or photographs. Mirrors will also catch and reflect the natural light, making a space seem brighter and more open.
#2) Look for Neutral Paint Colors
If you have a flair for the dramatic in your home design, then repainting to stage your house may be hard for you. However, neutral paint will appeal to more buyers who can see their optimal paint colors on the wall without getting distracted by yours. It’s time to cover up the dark green accent wall or navy office. Look for neutral whites and beiges that the next owner can paint over. Recommended Reading: Paint a Room Fast: 5 Tips for Making Touch-Ups Before You Sell
#3) Fix Minor Dents and Scrapes
A chip in the paint or a hole in the carpet is small, but it’s something that a potential buyer can fixate on. They may even worry that they have to replace the carpet or make major changes to get the house up to their standards. While you’re making aesthetic improvements, work on a dozen or so minor repairs and improvements that benefit the function of your house. You can also benefit from these repairs until your home sells. Recommended Reading: Selling Your Home As Is: The Pros and Cons
#4) Bring in Natural Light
If possible, look for ways to add more natural light to a home. This could be as simple as opening the blinds during the day or pulling back the curtains. Natural light makes a room seem more inviting and gives it energy.
#5) De-Personalize the Space
This is one of the hardest parts for homeowners. You need to take down the parts of the home that are connected to you and replacing them with neutral decor and design that could appeal to anyone. For example, your dramatic art pieces and large family photos should be replaced with more basic art. The goal is to make sure buyers focus on the bones of the home, not the design style.
#6) Pare Down Your Furniture
The goal of staging is to make a home seem large and appealing, therefore making it a good deal. You may want to sell your furniture or move it to your new home early in order to stage a space. Some Realtors® will replace large couches will smaller pieces that have a modern look. Others will fill empty rooms with furniture to make it look more lived in.
#7) Declutter Bookshelves and Cabinets
Clutter makes a space look smaller and has the potential to distract buyers. Some buyers might think a room looks smaller because of large, full bookshelves; others might want to look at your literature and see what you like. Declutter your home before you move. This will also make moving easier because you will have less to pack once your home is sold. If you absolutely can’t part with the materials that clog your home, consider placing them in storage so your home is still minimalist when buyers look at it.
#8) Deep Clean Everything
Thoroughly clean every inch of your home, from the lowest baseboard to the highest fan blade. There are some companies that specialize in cleaning for real estate and can deep clean each part of your home. While your house is on the market, you may want to consider hiring a cleaning company so your space stays clean between showings.
#9) Consider the Home’s Smell
At the bare minimum, your home needs a neutral smell. The last thing you want is potential buyers to crinkle their noses and leave your home early because of a pungent odor. This is another reason why deep cleaning is so important. However, you may want to consider adding a light smell that greets people when they walk in. This could be the scent of clean laundry or fresh flowers depending on your tastes.
#10) Consider Your Target Market
You may want to add a few accessories and details to make your home appeal to your target audience. For example, if you live next to a school but don’t have any kids, you can add sports equipment and a few backpacks to make the space seem more kid-friendly and ideal for families.
Ask Your Realtor® About Home Staging
Home staging is a benefit you can get when working with a Realtor®. They can look at a home and identify a few key changes that will make a significant difference. If you’re getting ready to sell your house, see how else a professional real estate agent can help. Use our EffectiveAgents.com search to find a Realtor® who is a perfect fit for your sales needs and can help you get top dollar for your property. Photo credit: neonbrand-zWviUB8c1a8-unsplash
