7 Tips for Staging Your Home
Whether you hire a professional or are planning on doing some basic staging yourself, there are some basic things you need to know, some of which a professional usually doesn't do but should advise you to do or have done prior to listing. Below are some ways to get your home looking its best.
1. Take a photo of each room : A lot can be determined by viewing the small screen of your phone or your laptop, and it can really help identify what to edit for maximum appeal. It is important to look out for excess decor, furniture, and other personal items that can clutter a room. Anything that distracts or detracts the eye from the home itself is best removed.
2. Clear out small items: Remove everything smaller than a cantaloupe from the space. To give some perspective, the average cantaloupe can be anywhere between five and seven inches in diameter. Items ripe for removal can include small, personal knickknacks, books, and photos. While it may be difficult to store away items that you think are cool or hold personal value, it’s important to remember to view the house through the eyes of potential buyers, not as your home. Small items appear as visual clutter, especially in photos, and can distract buyers and make a space seem smaller than it really is, which can both be turn-offs.
3. Remove kitchen decor: If the area above your kitchen cabinets are not at least 18 inches from the ceiling, remove all decor from the top of the cabinets. Keeping decor in this space will make your kitchen appear crowded and small.
4. Use large-scale decor: Find the focal point in a room and accent with a large-scale piece of art or decor. These areas can include a fireplace mantel, the area over the headboard in the master bedroom, or an area in the dining room. Using a decorative mirror is always my first choice because it helps a space appear more open and inviting. Plus, mirrors add movement which adds visual interest.
5. Buy new bedding and linens. It’s a good choice to replace any bedding and bathroom linens that have seen their life expectancy. While these items won’t be staying in the home, it creates a pleasing image to those viewing your home. And who can't use some fresh white towels or duvets? Think about how you feel when you walk into a hotel room that has crisp steamed bed linens and fluffy towels. The same feeling is true of anyone coming through your home.
6. Make the outdoors great. Don’t overlook outdoor entertaining areas, especially when listing during better weather months. This may include basic steps such as sweeping and sprucing up a patio area to restaining your deck. She says you may also have to go as far as purchasing new outdoor furnishings to create the feeling of a fun and modern space. Even adding a few colorful indoor/outdoor pillows can be enough to get potential buyers interest.
7. Hire a cleaner. A clean house says, ‘I’ve been well cared for.' Most buyers will notice any odd stains or smells that you have become used to over the years. If these aren’t enough to detract the buyer, they may use it as a way to bargain a cheaper price. Hiring professionals is well worth the investment,
Ultimately, it’s important to follow these tips and other basic home-staging practices to prevent price erosion, as the list price can be reduced by buyers who find any objection to the condition of the home. They may also account for any repairs or updates they’d have to make when moving in and factor that into their offer.
By taking care to present your home in the best light, you can ensure that your property will make a good impression on prospective buyers. These thoughtful changes can protect your real estate investment as you work to sell your house for the best price the market will support.
Article credits- Karen Otto www.homestarstaging.com