It’s a commonly accepted fact that you must spend money to make money. In the realm of real estate, one cost of selling a house that makes a lot of sense is home staging.
It’s no secret that properly staged homes sell faster and for quite a bit more money. Staging helps buyers fall in love with your property – it allows them to more easily visualize themselves in it.
If you plan on putting your home on the market, here’s how to stage it properly, along with a few other tips for selling your home:
Declutter
Decluttering can have a crucial impact on staging your home to sell. More than just putting your things away, decluttering involves reducing visual clutter to a minimum to help create a cleaner, well-organized and more harmonious look.
Here are several decluttering ideas for you:
- Clean up your storage spaces – When buyers look at potential homes, they will likely want to explore every nook and cranny. That means peering into your closets, cupboards, bookcases, garage, storage shed and every other conceivable area where you can tuck things away. It’s best you sort through your things well ahead of time and throw away or donate all but the items you absolutely need to keep.
- Clear the hallways – Keep your hallways clutter-free. Remove shoes, bags and sundry, including unopened mail. Doing so will keep your walkways clear so there are no impediments to break up the flow as you move from room to room.
- Organize the kitchen – The kitchen can be one of the messiest rooms in the home and it can also have a great impact on your ability to make the sale. Remove items that don’t belong in the kitchen and keep your countertops clean. Store away small appliances like toasters, mixers and blenders.
- Depersonalize – Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in your home. One of the best ways to make sure your home is staged to sell is to remove personal items such as family photos, memorabilia, collectibles and other unnecessary decor.
Clean
A clean house is key to home staging success. Deep clean your house from top to bottom. Wipe the walls, floors, windows and cabinets; inspect them for any unsightly marks, dents or more serious issues. In the kitchen and bathrooms, check underneath the sink and make sure that the pipes are drip- and rust-free.
If you have pets, its best to steam clean your carpet, rugs and furniture to remove any pet dander, odors and stains. Hide away your pet’s toys or items that could get caught underfoot.
Style the rooms
Pay particular attention to styling. Focus especially on the kitchen, living room, master bedroom and bathrooms.
The kitchen, as we all know, is one of the most important rooms in the home. It’s where family members most often spend time together cooking, dining and socializing. Invest in good lighting – upgrade to more modern or classic light fixtures, if needed, and include task lighting to illuminate work surfaces.
Don’t go overboard sprucing up the kitchen with a lot of bric-a-brac. A pot of herbs, a vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit on the counter will suffice to add a bit of hominess to the space.
Rent furniture if necessary
If you’ve already moved out of the home, renting furniture may be a good idea. Well-chosen rental furniture can make a world of difference in boosting your home’s appeal, as buyers will better be able to picture themselves living in your home.
Visit furniture rental stores nearby and check out past reviews online. Once you find a reputable rental company, pick out a few essential pieces that will complement the style of your home.
Boost your curb appeal
The first thing buyers see is the home’s exterior. To make a good first impression, consider mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, repainting the front door or repaving your walkways to maximize your curb appeal.
Keep it neutral, simple and classic
Neutral, simple and classic are three by-words that can make all the difference when selling your home. Don’t distract the buyer from all its best features: Stick to sophisticated neutral colors to give them a blank canvas to work with. Remember that less is always more.
Hire a professional home stager
Consider working with a professional home stager. Aside from determining what needs to fixed, removed or rearranged in your home, a professional home stager helps potential buyers more readily visualize your property’s potential.
Sell your home fast and for top dollar with a professional real estate team by your side. Get in touch with me, Arman Grigoryan, today at 818.444.7700, or send an email to arman(at)armangrigoryan(dotted)com.