Staging your home for a faster sale and more money

Staging your home is Marketing 101. You want your home to stand out from the crowd. Staged homes sell faster and for more money. So, consider the small expense of staging as an investment, not a cost. Many real estate agents prepare houses for their clients by suggesting that they paint them, remove the curtains and eliminate the clutter. However, effective staging involves much more than that. It’s selecting the right “accessories”, getting rid of furniture and other items that make the space look cluttered and smaller. It is also about adding finishing touches that produce an attractive appearance and create focal points in the main living areas.

A properly staged home showcases the possibilities and potential of the home, creates an inviting space to inspire potential buyers, and sets a mood to match the home (inside and out).

Remember… First impressions are lasting impressions

Potential buyers will evaluate your home before they even enter. If your home lacks curb appeal, many potential buyers will turn it down without looking further or try to undercut the price. Here are some tips for turning browsers into buyers:

• Paint the house if the paint is peeling or looks dull.
• Display easy-to-read house numbers.
• Mow grass and trim bushes.
• Wash the windows.
• Pressure washing of coverings and corridors.
• Make any repairs that make the exterior of the house unattractive.
• Make sure the doorbell works.
• Select a doormat that complements the architecture and color of your home. (One that says “Welcome” works, but monograms and team mats don’t.)
• Remove trash cans and anything else that might be unsightly. (As obvious as it sounds, I’ve seen it many times.)

The Foyer sure is attractive

The foyer is the first space a potential buyer will see once they enter your home. Add color through artwork, place fresh or silk flowers, or a table lamp on a living room table, and spread out a beautiful rug to add warmth and interest. Don’t forget the smell. Have a potpourri dish or place an incense stick on the ledge over the edge of the door. If you don’t have a foyer, you can create an entryway feel by placing an interesting chair or small table near the front door.

get rid of the clutter

Once you decide to sell your home, it’s not really your home anymore. Think of it like a commodity. Get rid of the clutter. The main contributors to a cluttered look are too much furniture, too many knick-knacks, too many family photos, too many items on the walls, and too many things on the refrigerator door. Take a good 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’re not going to use those items, throw them away. There are many organizations that will be delighted to receive them.

Add some interesting and colorful accessories

This does not contradict the removal of clutter. For example, after removing the small appliances, container set, and recipe books from the countertops, place a colorful bowl of fruit on the center island, place a set of silverware on the table or counter, or place some bottles colors of food for cooking. oil with a cookbook on a lectern. This will make the kitchen look like a cozy place to gather.

Play Musical Chairs

Consider moving furniture, artwork, and accessories to other rooms. Just because you bought that armchair for the living room doesn’t mean it won’t look great anchoring a sitting area in your bedroom. And the hope chest at the foot of your bed can be a lovely piece in a hallway or foyer. Try restoring the piece to give it a fresh new look.

Make your dining room seem bigger

Remove a sheet and use fewer chairs to make the dining room appear larger. Consider placing a colorful runner on the table, but not a tablecloth (which will make the room appear smaller). And if you have a nice hardwood floor, show it off instead of having a rug.

Paint for rooms that appear larger

If you want to make a room appear larger, paint it the same color as the adjacent rooms. This creates a uniform 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 wallpaper.

Make sure each room is well lit

Many houses have inadequate lighting, making them cold and unwelcoming. Increase the wattage of your lamps and fixtures, and use dimmers. Don’t rely on one or two accessories per room. Try to have a variety of lighting in each room: ambient (overhead) lighting, 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 you don’t have natural sunlight.

raid your yard

Well-decorated houses often have fresh flowers. Instead of buying them, collect them from your garden. Forsythias come out in spring and make a cheerful arrangement in a vase. Resplendent fall foliage can warm your decor on a chilly fall day. And the holly branches (full of 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 around a candlelit dinner, they’ll think they’ve found the holy grail. The next thing you’ll see on your front lawn is a SOLD sign.