The housing market is at an all time sluggish pace. Prices for homes are high and there aren’t enough buyers. If you are beginning the process of selling your house, there’ll be tough competition with others on the market. But staging your house will give you much better prospects of selling it fast.
Here are 7 top tips on what you need to do when staging your house with the purpose of selling your house.
De-Clutter
The first impression is huge with prospective buyers, as most form an opinion within the first 7 to 10 seconds after stepping in the front door. Rule number one is to get rid of all the clutter, which does not mean shoving everything in the closet, cupboard or oven.
Neatly organize everything to give the appearance of great storage in case of sneaky potential buyers who peek into kitchen cabinets or take a look under the bed.
Remember, once you’ve sold, you’ll be moving. And you may well only have a week or so to prepare. So thinking ahead to this is always a good idea.
Rent a storage locker temporarily to stash unnecessary kitchen gadgets, kid’s toys, pet supplies and anything else that is taking up space. Make sure countertops in kitchens and bathrooms are clutter free and neat.
Refresh
Now is the time to refresh the walls with a new coat of paint. It is also a good time to get rid of that wacky wall treatment or colour and keep things bright, fresh and neutral.
Once you have refreshed the walls, examine the floors and fix any creaky floorboards or chipped, cracked tiles. Clean the carpets and make any repairs necessary to thresholds and seams.
Paying attention to the details, such as your skirting boards can be the difference between your house looking cared for or neglected. If your skirting boards have seen better days, then replace them. It’s a small detail that can make a huge difference. Not only for the potential buyer but also for your bank account!
If you have area rugs, be sure they are clean and in good condition. Re-wax or re-stain hardwood floors if they are looking scuffed or shabby.
Photo by Pat Freling of Paint Strategies
Windows and Doors
Make sure all your windows have blinds, blackout curtains or draperies and that they are clean and/or neatly pressed.
When showing your home, it is a great idea to open the blinds and curtains to let in plenty of light. Leave interior doors open so that prospective buyers feel at ease touring your home.
Look into each room from the doorway to make sure the focal point is on the main feature of the room. For example, if you have a beautiful fireplace or a stunning feature radiator, make sure it can be seen when passing by the room without furniture or other objects in the way.
Décor
The addition of a well-placed mirror can make a room look larger, especially a bathroom, closet or entryway.
In the decluttering phase, make sure there isn’t too much on the walls and remember that not every person’s taste is the same. Take down any artwork that may not be universally appealing and store any personal photos.
This helps the buyers visualize their own art, photos and décor in the space more easily. Use candle warmers, air fresheners or scented oils to make your house smell fresh and get rid of any faint odours.
During your home listing, it may be a good idea to avoid cooking cabbage, fish or other fragrant foods.
Dress up the Bed
Use white or neutral bed linen that is freshly pressed and clean. Add lots of plump pillows and complimentary cushions for a full look and finish with a luxurious throw. Check these stunning cushions from the White Company.
Make the room seem cosy, spacious and inviting for prospective buyers, who will relax in the space and see it as their own. When staging your house, try to empathise with what someone buying a new place would want to feel.
Pull the furniture slightly away from the walls and make sure there isn’t too much furniture for the space you’re working with. This gives the focus back to the room and not on the furniture.
Perfect…Almost
We know you’re probably cringing at the thought of making your home look so perfect, but it is worth it and very important to make a good first impression on the buyers.
However when it comes to staging your house, it is best not to go overboard and leave some lived-in touches around. A bowl full of fruit or some fresh flowers can give a homely appeal to any room. Keep your pet’s bed and bowls where they normally are, but make sure they are nicely arranged.
Embrace the Flaws
That awkward place under the stairs should be transformed into a reading nook, study area or tidy space for boots, coats and rain gear.
A well-placed shelving unit with artfully arranged items or a group of framed landscape photographs can make that unused long wall more appealing.
Every home has an awkward space, so embrace it and avoid causing any form of doubt in a prospective buyer’s mind.
In this difficult market, sellers have to be on their toes and present their home in the best way possible. Follow this advice, sell your house faster & you may also increase your asking price as well.
