If you want your home to sell, make it as easy as possible for home buyers to visualize themselves living in your home.
In a previous article, I explained what to expect when selling your home. Today I want to talk more about one specific aspect of the home selling process, staging your home.
The average homeowner only needs to invest a few hundred dollars into staging their home to enjoy significant results from their efforts, according to the National Association of Realtors. Real estate experts largely agree that home staging can help you to sell your home quicker and for a higher price.
With that in mind, here are five easy home staging tips to set your house apart from other homes for sale.
1. De-Clutter and Depersonalize Your Home
Your sense of style is fantastic. I can appreciate the bright yellow paint in the laundry room that makes you think of fresh lemons. But potential buyers are likely to have different tastes. The following mini-tips will help you convert your home into the home of someone else’s dreams.
- Remove all family photos hanging on the walls. Decor pictures are okay.
- Remove excess furniture. Too much furniture in a room makes it look small and crowded.
- Clean off countertops and tables around your home. Lots of stuff laying around gives a feeling of clutter and lack of storage space.
Think of model homes like you’d see in a magazine or on TV. Does your home remind you of any of those? It should. By the time you’re finished, you should feel as though your home is rather empty and no longer your own.
2. Curb Appeal
A potential buyer will make decisions about your home from the moment they see it. They may not want to visit your home if the exterior is not appealing. You can spruce up the exterior of your home and strengthen your curb appeal by following some of these suggestions:
- Mow and edge the lawn.
- Rake the leaves and trim the bushes.
- Make your entryway magnificent with a fresh coat of paint on the door.
- Remove trash and junk from the property.
- Weed and mulch flower beds and add bright, colorful flowers.
- Re-paint the exterior and install new fixtures and hardware.
- Power-wash paved areas and the exterior of your home.
- Replace the front door mat.
3. Home Staging Should Highlight the Best Features in Your Home
Determine what the best features in your home are, such as a gorgeous stone fireplace or upgraded counter tops in the kitchen. When a buyer walks through your home, they should notice these hallmark features instantly. This process is sometimes referred to as “leading the eyes”.
Example: If you want to highlight a stone fireplace in the living room, be sure not block the view of the fireplace by placing furniture in front of it.
4. Hire a Professional Cleaning Crew
Dirt and grime will not be overlooked even if your home is beautifully decorated. Sure, you can scrub the joint yourself, but nothing beats the speed and skill of a professional cleaning crew.
Every inch of your home should be spotless. Ceilings and fans, appliances, showers and everywhere in between should look as close to new as possible. Tools and experience make cleaning services worth every dime when you are preparing to sell your home.
5. Light It Up
Now that the curtains have been dusted, it’s time to open them up and let the light shine in. Light, especially natural light, can make your home feel larger and more inviting. When staging your home, use some of these tips for lighting it up:
- Remove the window screens.
- Make sure the windows are clean on both sides.
- Open the blinds and curtains.
- Replace burnt out bulbs.
- Upgrade to brighter bulbs in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Re-paint darker rooms a brighter, lighter hue.
The overall message here is:
“Don’t give home buyers in Sanpete County or anywhere a reason to say no.”
If someone is viewing your home, chances are you already have the square footage and amenities they are looking for. It is how they feel when they step inside that will have the most impact. Show them how to feel by properly staging your home.
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