When selling your home, you want to present it in its best light. As potential buyers walk inside your home for the first time, or view it online through a listing site, they should be able to envision the amazing life they can live within. That is where home staging comes in.
Home staging is a method of decorating your home that highlights its best features in a way that helps buyers imagine themselves living there. Home staging may not seem all that important, but in today’s market, even the smallest of details can be the difference between “For Sale” and “Sold”. If you are looking to boost buyer interest for your home and sell your home faster, check out these top 5 home staging tips for sellers.
1.Start with Curb Appeal
While the home’s interior is typically the primary focus of home staging, you definitely don’t want to forget about the exterior. Your home’s exterior is the first thing buyers see when they walk up to your home or view it online. If the outside of the home isn’t up to par, many buyers will not be interested in seeing inside. The exterior is the buyer's very first impression of the home, so make it a good one.
Luckily, you don’t have to go all out spruce up your home’s curb appeal. A simple pressure washing can do wonders to remove dirt from the siding, roof, and gutters. Regular gutters cleaning and maintenance can prevent clogging and ensure proper water drainage. To further enhance your gutter's functionality, consider installing gutter guards. They act as a protective barrier, keeping leaves and debris out and reducing the need for frequent cleaning. Moreover, DIY gutter guards are cost-effective and easy to install, making them a practical choice for homeowners looking to improve their gutter system. With the added benefit of reducing the risk of gutter blockages, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your property is well-protected from potential water-related issues.
2. Declutter Your Space
The first home staging task you should focus on is decluttering and cleaning your home. Over the years, you have likely accumulated an assortment of items that you have lying around your house. Unfortunately, some of these items can look cluttered and distracting to buyers and take away from the actual home features of the home you want them to be looking at. Not only that, but unnecessary items in a room can make the space feel much smaller than it is.
Free up surface space counters, tables, shelves, or entertainment centers by removing unnecessary appliances and decorative items. Go one room at a time and see what you can declutter. This might mean removing excess furniture to make the rooms feel more spacious, as well as cleaning out cabinets or closets. When staging your home, you want potential buyers to think your home can handle their belongings because space is ample, not under pressure.
3. Clean it Up
No buyer wants to walk into a dirty home that appears neglected. A clean home is a well-cared for home and that’s exactly what buyers are looking for. Not only that, but a clean home will make the home feel fresh and the buyers feel welcomed inside its doors. Envisioning their life in the home will be even easier for them.
A realtor could call you at any time to schedule a showing, so maintaining the cleanliness of your home is essential. This includes maintaining the floors, wiping down surfaces, straightening up living spaces, putting toys/pet supplies away, cleaning up toiletries, and making the beds regularly should become routine. Odor also plays a big role in the cleanliness of your home so make sure to deodorize the home with plug-ins to remove pet odors or any other smells that might deter buyers.
4. Rearrange the Furniture
Staging a home often involves re-arranging your furniture. The layout of a room plays a huge role in how buyers will view it, as well as the rest of the home. This is especially true if you are working with an open concept living plan. You want the interior to feel as open as possible, while still being inviting.
Rearranging furniture in the homemay mean having to compromise practicality for aesthetic. Staging is all about making sure that spaces are balanced, so you might find yourself having to place furniture in places for the sake of it looking more appealing to the eye. Also, when in doubt, opt to arrange furniture in a social layout. This will help buyers to envision the space being enjoyed by their family and friends.
5. Remove Photos and Personal Items
It’s hard to imagine life in a home when another family's photos and belongings are everywhere you look. If you want buyers to connect with your home, you will want to disconnect them from the items that might distract them from doing so. This includes family photos, your children’s art work, and any personal collections you may have around the home.
If you are still living in your home at the time, it may be difficult to remove these items. You’ve gone through great lengths to personalize your home and want to show off your personal style. However, because everyone's personal style is so different, it’s better to err on the side of caution. Remove those photos and personal items and hang up pieces like landscape prints, landmark photos, decorative mirrors or other items that are more universal.
We hope these home staging tips lead to much selling success. Once your home is staged and ready to sell, give our team at SimpleShowing a call! Not only will you receive expert guidance from one of our agents, but you will also receive professional home photos and listings on the local MLS.
As a low-commission brokerage, we offer all of the services as a big brokerage, but with a low 1% listing fee. That means you can save thousands of dollars to put into savings or towards the purchase of your next home. Contact us today to learn more.
