Staging your home is basic marketing. You want your home to stand out from the crowd. Tiered houses sell faster and for more money. So consider the small staging expense as an investment, not a cost. Many real estate agents prepare houses for their clients by suggesting that they repaint, remove window shades, and get rid of clutter. However, effective staging involves much more than that. It’s about selecting the right “accessories”, getting rid of furniture and other items that make the space seem cluttered and smaller. It’s also about adding finishing touches that produce an attractive look and creating focal points in the main living areas.
A properly organized home shows the possibilities and potential of the home, creates a welcoming space to inspire potential buyers, and creates a suitable home environment (inside and outside).
Remember … first impressions are lasting impressions
Potential buyers will evaluate your home even before entering. If your home lacks curb appeal, many potential buyers will reject it without looking further or try to lower the price. Here are some tips for turning browsers into buyers:
• Paint the house if the paint is peeling or looking dull.
• Displays easy-to-read house numbers.
• Mow lawns and trim bushes.
• Wash the windows.
• Pressure washing of linings and corridors.
• Make any repairs that make the exterior of the house look unappealing.
• Make sure the buzzer works.
• Select a doormat that matches the architecture and color of your home. (One that says Welcome “works, but team mats and monograms don’t).
• Remove trash cans and anything else that might be unsightly. (As obvious as it may seem, I have seen it many times.)
The lobby sure is attractive
The hallway is the first space a potential buyer will see once they enter your home. Add color through artwork, place fresh / silk flowers or a table lamp on the hall table, and lay out a beautiful rug to add warmth and interest. Don’t forget the scent. Have a potpourri plate or place an incense stick on the ledge above the door edge. If you don’t have a hallway, you can create an entryway feel by placing an interesting chair or small table near the front door.
Get rid of clutter
Once you decide to sell your house, it really is no longer your home. Think of it as a commodity. Get rid of clutter. The main factors that contribute to a cluttered appearance are too much furniture, too many knickknacks, too many family photos, too many items on the walls, and too many things on the refrigerator door. Take a look at what you have and ask yourself what you can live without. You can always rent temporary storage for large items that you need to remove but will want to use in your next home. And if you don’t use those items, throw them away. There are many organizations that will be happy to get them.
Add some colorful and interesting accessories
This does not contradict the elimination of clutter. For example, after removing small appliances, container set, and recipe books from your countertops, place a bowl of colored fruit on the center island, set a spot on the table or counter, or put out some colored bottles oil cooker with a cookbook on a lectern. This will make the kitchen seem like a cozy place to gather.
Play musical chairs
Consider moving furniture, artwork, and accessories to other rooms. Just because you bought that easy chair for the family room doesn’t mean it won’t look good to anchor a living room in your bedroom. And the chest of hope at the foot of the bed can be a lovely piece in a hallway or hallway. Try giving the piece a new finish to give it a fresh new look.
Make your dining room look bigger
Remove one sheet and use fewer chairs to make the dining room appear larger. Consider putting a colored runner on the table, but not a tablecloth (which will make the room appear smaller). And if you have a good hardwood floor, present it instead of having a carpet.
Paint for larger-looking rooms
If you want a room to appear larger, paint it the same color as adjacent rooms. This creates a seamless look that will give the illusion that both rooms feel like one larger space. For an even greater illusion, paint your walls the same color as your window treatment. Also, remove all the wallpaper.
Make sure every room is well lit
Many houses have inadequate lighting, which makes them cold and unwelcoming. Increase the wattage of your lamps and fixtures, and use dimmers. Don’t depend on just one or two accessories per room. Try to have a variety of lighting in each room: ambient lighting (overhead), task lighting (under cabinets or reading), and accent lighting (on tables and walls). And when your house is shown, make sure all the lights are on us. This is especially true if it does not get natural sunlight.
Storm your yard
Well decorated houses often have fresh flowers. Instead of buying them, collect them from your garden. The forsythias come out in the spring and make a cheerful arrangement in a vase. Fiery fall foliage can warm up your décor on a chilly fall day. And holly branches (loaded with berries) will add Christmas spirit during the cold winter months.
Bottom line … When potential buyers can see their family and friends lounging in the living room, relaxing and watching TV, or sitting down to dinner by candlelight, they’ll think they’ve found the holy grail. The next thing you will see in your front yard is a sign that says SOLD.
