Have you heard the term 'staging your home' and wondered what it really means? Very simply put, staging your home is a process for preparing it for sale on the real estate marketplace. The goal is to showcase your home's best assets, impress potential buyers, and fetch the best price as quickly as possible.
Because not all sellers stage their homes, especially in lower price ranges, you will be at an
advantage if you do. Here are a few simple tips to help you showcase your home at its full
potential:
Ensure everything is spotless, including kitchen appliances, bathtubs, and any grout between
tiles. Have upholstery and rugs professionally steam cleaned, and freshen up paint on baseboards
and trim.
Declutter – box and put into storage anything you don't need on a daily basis such as games,
books, seasonal items. Clutter distracts buyers from your home's features and makes the home
feel smaller. Take a less is more approach to decorative objects.
Remove as many personal objects as possible so that buyers can envision themselves in your
home. Put away family photos and kids refrigerator art, store toys away when not being used.
Focus on freshness – a few strategically placed potted plants can do wonders to make the space
feel fresh and inviting. Similarly, fresh scents from candles, diffusers, or oil burners create a
wonderful aroma when entering the home.
Ensure that each room has a single defined purpose and that the space within each room is used
to its full potential. Got a 'junk' room where you throw everything you're not currently
using? Turn it into a home office, or gym with the use of a few pieces of inexpensive equipment
of furniture. Even if the buyer doesn't want the room for the same purpose it's important for them
to see that every inch of your home is usable space.
Enhance your home's curb appeal. It's the buyer's first impression of your home and may
determine their interest in viewing the inside. Make sure that plants are neatly pruned and all
weeds are removed. Pressure washing walkways and walls can really improve their appearance
and make them look freshly painted. Buy new doormats. If you have a pool make sure it's crystal
clear and looks like an inviting oasis.
A well-staged home can sell for more than one that hasn't been staged. Buyers can envision
themselves living there, rather than having to look past all of your possessions to imagine the
space as theirs. Well staged home images will boost your online listings, attracting more interest
and potential buyers. It's incredible how you can achieve fantastic results with minimal monetary
investment.
