Selling Your House? Home Staging Might Help You Seal the Deal Quicker

It’s important to make a good first impression…right? Why not show off your home’s best qualities by making it look bigger, brighter, cleaner and ultimately more appealing to buyers?! When you show off the true potential of the house, it makes it easier to sell which allows you to focus on looking for your new home.

• You don’t have to stage every single room in the house. Just focus on rooms that will make the biggest impact (i.e. living room, kitchen, master bedroom).
• You want to highlight the square footage and create a nice flow from room to room.
• Keep things fresh and clean, free of extra furniture, clutter and small, personalized belongings.

So how do you do this and not spend a fortune? Here are 11 easy tips that give you the most bang for your buck:

1. If you have an awkward space in the house (like many do), show potential buyers what it could be used for in a stylish way. For example, is that nook under the stairs the perfect place for kids to do homework? Or if you’re lacking storage space add some floating shelves to a wall, above cabinets, or around a door.
2. Declutter and remove personal items that could distract potential buyers, clear things from the countertops except for one or two decorative items. You’re wanting to create an emotional attachment for buyers and often seeing your personal items in the home can be distracting. This is also a great opportunity to start packing!
3. Organize your closets. Plain and simple—storage space sells. Home buyers will look in your closets to see if there’s enough room for their stuff. Make room for your essentials, donate what you don’t need or use, and start putting excess items in storage while your house is on the market.
4. Bring in some plants. When you add some greenery inside, it adds warmth and a sense of coziness to the house. Look around and see if you have an empty corner that would benefit from a tall plant. These plants don’t have to be big (you don’t want it to suck up your square footage!) and should be spread out throughout the home for just the right amount of green.
5. Speaking of greenery—don’t forget the outdoors! This is the very first thing people will see when they pull up to a house. Curb appeal is a big deal and definitely an important part of the home staging process. Make sure your deck is free of mildew, your sidewalk and driveway have been pressure washed, weeds have been pulled, and maybe add a fresh coat of paint to the front door. While you’re at it, add a new doormat for good measure!
6. Go gender-neutral in the master bedroom and rearrange the furniture to maximize space. Simple white bedding can make the room look inviting and fresh.
7. This is a big one—eliminate any lingering odors if you have pets. Although we love our furry friends, the hair and smells they sometimes leave behind often result in negative thoughts when someone is looking to buy a home. Steam clean the rugs and keep things clean. On the day of showings, don’t forget to remove the food and water bowls, and put up the toys and bones.
8. Wash your windows (both inside and outside) and be sure to replace any screens that have holes or are torn. Also, it’s better to open the blinds on all of your super clean windows to show natural light in the house and to brighten things up when someone comes to look at the house.
9. Make sure buyers have space to walk around your kitchen and/or dining room area. Use a table runner and put a nice centerpiece on the table such as a bouquet of flowers, an arrangement of candles and greenery, or even a bowl full of citrus fruits. Colorful artwork on the walls can also be a nice touch.
10. Pack up all of your personal products (razors, Q-tips, medicine, toothbrushes, etc.) and add a decorative basket or candles for more of a spa-like atmosphere. Some fresh towels never hurt either!
11. No matter what, clean your house. We’re talking a deep, thorough clean of every nook and cranny—top to bottom! Scrub the baseboards, dust the ceiling fans, wipe down the cabinets, and clean the stove. Leave no corner unturned! Hire someone if you need to.

Staging your home is a smart investment and can help seal the deal with buyers when you’re trying to sell your home. Plus, it’s always a good idea to showcase the best qualities of the house. If you’re thinking about selling your home and buying a new one, reach out and let us know how we can help!