There are a variety of small things you can do to make your house stand out from the rest. Learn how to take advantage of the space you have with our helpful tips.
How do I stage my home?
One of the most important parts of selling a house is staging it properly. You want to make it as inviting as possible to potential buyers, making it appear both lived in and not too personal. The goal is to make your belongings fade into the background so buyers can imagine their belongings in the home. You’ll want to take a good, hard look at every room of your house and identify the quirks that you love. Are you sure that everyone else will love them? If not, minimize them. You may need toning down bold paint choices and flamboyant decor.
The Power of Curb Appeal
When you’re selling a house, it’s important to remember first impressions are important and potential buyers start judging the moment they pull up to the house. Make sure the lawn has been mowed recently, the sidewalk is clear, and toys, tools and other things aren’t just lying around. If you don’t have any flowers in your front yard, consider adding some. Just a few perennials lining the front of the house can make a big difference.
Clean, Then Clean Some More
Cleaning is a vital part of staging your home for potential buyers. This is especially true of the kitchen and bathroom, which are both traps for dirt and stains, but also have the opportunity to make the biggest impact on potential buyers. Dirty kitchens and bathrooms will turn off prospective buyers. It may be worth it to hire a professional crew to deep clean before you put your house on the market.
Light It Up
Lighting is so important for creating the right atmosphere in your home. You want to let in as much natural light as possible to create that warm glow, but don’t rely on the sun to do all the work. If you have dark rooms –or rooms that only have an overhead light – find inexpensive table or standing lamps to help dispel the darkness. To help make rooms brighter, aim for three light sources besides the
Don’t Forget Your Floors
Flooring takes a beating, especially in high traffic areas. Worn or damaged flooring will make it harder to sell your home, so take the time to fix issues with your floors. Replace or refinish worn, damaged floors, replace tiles and the caulking between them as necessary, and replace any carpeting that has wear from traffic, damage from pets, or is stained beyond rescuing. Any carpeting that does not need to be replaced should be professionally shampooed.
Less Is More
Small kitchen? Clear small appliances and other items from the counter-tops to make it look larger. Too much clutter will make the space feel small and cramped, but by strategically using a few items, you can make it feel large and spacious. Get help from a trusted friend to help you curate pictures, knick-knacks and other items to make rooms look open and airy.
Most importantly, open every closet. Potential buyers will, and if the closets are stuffed and crowded, they’ll assume there isn’t enough storage space in the house. If your closets are overflowing, take the time to empty them, organize them, and get rid of items you no longer need or want.
Instant Home
Professional stagers know that smell is one of the most evocative senses. To make your home smell great to prospective buyers, you can’t go wrong with buying refrigerated cookie or bread dough and baking it immediately before an open house or a scheduled showing