Stage Your Home to Sell
Staging your home smartly will help you sell faster and for a better price. Here are a few ideas of how to stage for optimum return on your investment.
The kitchen is the main event
A good place to start is in the kitchen. Buyers want to see a sparkling and clutter-free kitchen. If you don’t have funds for major renovations, not to worry. You can start with a few small but effective upgrades. Clean until the kitchen gleams. Pack away all dishes you don’t use regularly. Tidy the pantry and cabinets by throwing out old food items, using things up and cutting back on the overall amount in these areas. Buyers want to see the available storage and it’s hard to appreciate what’s there if it’s a mess and completely stock full. Next, install new hardware if needed like a faucet, or new cabinet handles and knobs. Paint cabinets as well for an instant update and refresh.
Curb appeal is the real deal
Spend some time on the exterior of the home as well. First impressions are no joke. See what small projects you can take on to improve the overall aesthetic. Trim back shrubs and trees, add a fresh layer of mulch in flower beds, and weed thoroughly. Paint the front door for an instant face lift. Place planters on the porch or the steps leading up to the home. Install new house numbers and a new mailbox if the old one is falling apart. Wash windows inside and out and consider power washing if the home is really looking worse for the wear.
Clutter is never helpful
We already touched on this for the kitchen, but decluttering your home is key. Buyers want to see the bones and structure of the home. They also want to see the potential that could be if they buy the home and move in. So, it’s a balancing act of making your furnishings look pleasant but not overbearing or cluttered. Pare down on furniture in general. Pack away all kids’ toys, personal paperwork, and office clutter. Take down personal photos and anything controversial. Think sparse and minimalist in the décor. Show off the windows and natural light by removing heavy curtains or opening blinds before showings. Stow away obvious evidence of pets before showings as well. Hide the litter box or the chew toys. Essentially you want the home to look livable and inviting without looking too lived in.
Start with these 3 staging tips to get your home ready to sell. And make sure to talk to your trusted real estate advisor for more tricks on staging and selling your home.
