When real estate professionals talk about staging your home, they’re talking about a technique for preparing a home for sale on the market. Staging is used to highlight a home’s best features, impress potential buyers, and sell it as quickly as possible for the best price.
Because not all sellers arrange their homes–especially those in lower price ranges–if you choose to do so, you’ll have an advantage. The level of home staging that is practical for your property is, of course, determined by time and money. Try to utilize the following procedures in as many rooms as you can afford and time allows.
Clean
Clean the entire house, from the floors to the ceilings—and everything in between. If you don’t have any new kitchen appliances, make sure the ones you do have are clean. Similarly, make sure your bathrooms glisten, from the tub’s edges to the sink drain and that hidden location behind the toilet that no one can see.
Depersonalize
Remove all family photos, heirlooms, and refrigerator art so buyers can imagine themselves in your home. Keep as much of your clothing hidden away as possible, and make sure the bathroom counters are clear. Similarly, put away all of the toys and anything else that is extremely personal or evocative of the current occupants of the home.
Furniture
Make sure that the furniture is the proper size for the space and that there isn’t too much of it. Furniture that is too large will make a room appear small, while furniture that is too little or too little can make a place feel cold. Also, avoid using low-cost furnishings. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to replace your current furniture, and you could even be able to rent furniture to stage your home.
Lighting
Make the most of the natural light in your home. When exhibiting your home, open all of the drapes and blinds. Fixtures should be added as needed, and all lights should be turned on for showings. This makes your property appear brighter and more inviting, and it eliminates the need for purchasers to search for light switches. If you think your existing fixtures are in good shape, make sure they are dust-free and free of dirt. Otherwise, replacing old or broken light fixtures is simple and inexpensive.
Make sure your staging efforts have the most impact with a few last-minute additions that make the property feel warm and inviting just before any open house or showing. Put fresh flowers in vases, open the windows for at least ten minutes before guests arrive to ensure the house isn’t stuffy, light a few candles, and replace the towels in the bathrooms with new, luxurious towels.
