Published July 13, 2023
When Your Home Takes Center Stage
Staging your home is one of the most important things you can do to expedite the selling process. Think about all the care you take in dressing up for life's special occasions. Similarly, you want to prepare and show your home in the best possible light to potential buyers. Staging a home is a proven way of bringing the best offer prices and ensuring it doesn't stay on the market for long. This translates into easing the stress of the seller during the challenging time of preparing to relocate.
First impressions count
Curb appeal: What was the first thing you noticed when you drove up to your current home? Chances are you noticed whether the yard was tidy and that there was no peeling paint on the exterior. Now is your moment to make a great first impression. Trim the bushes and trees and repair any cracks in the driveway and walkways. Add welcoming touches to the entrance, including a new welcome mat. When was the last time your windows were cleaned? Now may be the time to get the job done so your windows sparkle.
Declutter: Remove personal items such as hobby equipment, collections, family photos and toys. You want buyers to be able to envision themselves living in the home without any personal decor to distract them. Remove any carpet covering hardwood floors. Once uncovered, they may need to be sanded and refinished to bring them back to their original luster. Ask yourself whether your carpets look worn or out of date. A professional cleaning may be the answer. And clear countertops to give the kitchen the appearance of efficiency. Remember, you want to give the impression that the house is clean and organized.
Kids' rooms/empty rooms: Your kids have left and taken the furniture with them to start their lives in their own apartments or homes. You will need to refill the rooms — no one wants to see an empty home. Similarly, don't forget to remove all your kids' toys, books and clutter from buyers' view.
Furniture: There is no need to get rid of existing furniture, but you will want to rearrange it to make the room look as spacious as possible. In the living room, pull the furniture away from the walls to create conversation areas.
Fix it up: Repair anything that is broken. Some usual targets will be leaky faucets, broken tiles, squeaky doors and missing lightbulbs. Does the interior of your house need a fresh coat of paint? No need to renovate your kitchen when a coat of paint applied to the cabinets will give the room a clean, up-to-date look.
Add pleasant aromas: Over time, we become nose-blind to the everyday smells in our homes, especially if we have pets. Candles, flowers or the smell of freshly baked cookies will help set the right welcoming mood.
Hire a professional stager: If you do decide to hire a pro, be prepared to accept constructive criticism. Remember, you and the stager are both playing for the same team. You both want to see the house sold as quickly as possible and at the highest possible price.
Ready to sell your home? Contact us for advice on how to successfully stage your home for viewing.
