These days, staging your home to sell is almost as essential as making the beds before a viewing. A few decades ago, buyers were used to seeing empty interiors or owners’ personal belongings. Now, the tides have shifted in favor of creating model-like interiors that are suitable for all tastes.
In some markets, staging is the norm, and failing to stage a home can hurt your competitive edge. Real estate agents and their sellers do not necessarily have to hire costly staging services to achieve great results. Unless you have already moved the furnishings ,and are currently working with a blank slate, you can stage your home as-is with thoughtful tactics.
Here are several simple tips for staging your home to sell and hopefully net top dollar.
First Impressions Matter
The very first thing potential buyers are going to see is the outside of your home as they pull up to the curb. That is why at the very least the exterior needs to look clean and tidy to give buyers the impression that work already done outside means the same indoors.
The lawn should be recently mowed or trimmed, dead plants should be removed, fences mended, and paint on mailboxes, doors, and shutters that is wearing thin should be given a new coat. Rest assured, the exterior of your home sends a subtle message to buyers about how well you have maintained your home. If they are impressed as they walk up the driveway, you have them started off on the right foot.
Clean Thoroughly
Sellers are wise to go beyond a quick broom sweep and counter wipe prior to listing. If you regularly clean your home thoroughly, you may not need to perform a deep cleaning, but it is definitely worth considering if you do not have the time, energy, or are physically unable to do the job yourself.
Declutter Your Home
Removing excess clutter is the best way to depersonalize and help buyers truly imagine themselves in your home. Not to mention, a lighter space feels bigger, brighter and catches the eye more than a dark, overcrowded room. Even if the home has an eclectic style, balance empty space with some decorations like softly-scented candles, books, antiques and trinkets.
Buy Fresh Linens
Consider how bright towels with bleach spots and frayed edges might make the home feel less like a retreat for potential buyers. On the other hand, crisp, clean towels and bed linens are reminiscent of hotels and getaways. Brand new white or neutral linens in the bathroom and bedroom help the home feel cleaner, lighter and more relaxing.
Switch Out Old Window Treatments
Cheap blinds and heavy curtains weigh down a room’s focal point which is often the windows and the view or natural lighting provided. You might consider installing new shades, especially if old plastic blinds are broken, bent or tangled.
Decorate Your Digs
Subtle decorations and accent pieces can be relatively inexpensive and add a great finishing touch to a room or space. Consider displaying attractive accents such as plants, non-personal photos and artwork, area rugs, or flowers to give buyers a view of what the space could look like. Invest in softer, lower wattage bulbs which can be more flattering in rooms compared to brighter, higher wattage bulbs.
Simple Fixes Matter
Take care of those simple fixes around the house! Make time for a quick run to the local hardware store and get everything you need to take care of any maintenance issues you are aware of with your home. You do not need to remodel your kitchen, but things like leaky faucets and paint touch-ups need to be addressed.
Paint For A Fresh Look
A simple way to make your rooms appear brighter and cleaner is with a fresh coat of neutral paint. It will help keep buyers from getting distracted by imperfections and aid them in imagining their own furnishings in the home.
Remodel Where It Counts
If you do need some remodeling done to update your home, kitchen and bathroom remodels tend to bring more resale value. They can be expensive so ensure you are confident the upgrades will net a positive return.
Follow New Staging Trends
Trends exist for a reason…a large share of individuals take a liking to a certain style or flair. Trends do come and go; which is why it is good to subtly implement trends into your staging rather than make any extensive renovations based on brief popularity.
Final Staging Home Advice
Whether you have sold many homes or this is your first experience, these simple tips for staging your home to sell can make all the difference between selling quickly or having your house sit on the market month after month. Remember to look through the eyes of potential buyers and keeping things neutral and impersonal.
See more at http://sellingwarnerrobins.com/staging-your-home-to-sell/