7 Important Staging Tips When Selling Your Home
If you’re getting ready to list your home for sale one of the many steps you’ll want to take is staging it. By doing so not only will your home sell for top dollar but it’ll also sell faster.
Staging your home, if done right, will help potential buyers envision themselves in the space. This is a critical first step for getting them to consider making an offer. Taking the time to prepare your home will also set it apart from the other listings in your area. However, it is possible to make ugly home staging mistakes. So let’s talk about the top staging tips to sell your house, which are sure to attract prospective buyers.
7 Simple Home Staging Tips for Sellers
Declutter
When staging your home, you want buyers to feel like your house will handle their things. So you’ll want to create as much space as possible so places don’t feel cramped and crowded. Therefore, the first house-staging task that you should focus on is decluttering and organizing your entire house, both inside and out.
Go through every single closet, cabinet, and drawer. Throw away or donate items you no longer need or use. Cabinets and drawers throughout your kitchen and bathrooms should be as empty as possible. The same goes for bedroom closets. When decluttering and organizing closets take it one step further and hang your clothes by color, shoes by style, and purses by size.
If there are items you don’t use on a regular basis but want to keep go ahead and pack those items away. In some cases, you may need to rent a self-storage unit to store these belongings.
In addition to cleaning out closets, cabinets, and drawers you’ll want to clear off countertops as well. Counter space is usually at the top of buyers’ “must-have” list, so don’t take up valuable real estate with your coffee maker, air fryer, toaster, knife block, or paper towel holder. You’ll want to hide these items or pack them away.
Lastly, while you may not consider your knick-knacks and family photos as clutter buyers might. Depersonalizing your home is a must and one of the many important staging tips all sellers need to follow. As you’re decluttering and organizing your home remind yourself along the way less is always more.
Furniture Placement
Another important home staging tip is to make sure all of your furniture is sized appropriately for the room. This may mean getting rid of excess furniture or replacing it so rooms feel larger.
Every room in your home should have multiple walking paths. So you might need to remove several pieces of furniture from each room. While this may not be practical for most sellers it’s an important step in the home staging process.
Buyers will be walking through your home with their Realtor and if 2-3 people can’t comfortably fit into each room because the space is crowded with furniture they might rule your home out. Oftentimes, it can be difficult for buyers to look past a seller’s belongings and see the true size of a room. So while removing furniture and putting it in storage isn’t ideal it may be necessary.
Keep it Neutral
One of the best home staging tips is to keep your home neutral. The paint color, window treatments even the furniture should be as neutral as possible. Pops of color can be added with artwork, area rugs, pillows, and blankets.
If you have dark walls, heavy drapery, and bulky furniture not only will your home look dark and cramped but dated too. In this case, repainting your entire home with one neutral color may be in order, think along the lines of Sherwin Williams Snowbound, Alabaster, or Origami White. Paint is by far the most cost-effective way to transform a home.
If you have heavy or outdated window treatments I highly recommend replacing those as well. Amazon has inexpensive linen drapes that start around $30 per window and are great dupes for drapery from Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. Don’t forget to take your rods to the ceiling if you have 8-9 foot ceilings and extend your curtain rod past the window. Drapes should frame the window when open, not cover it.
If any of your upholstered furniture is worn, outdated, or too bold consider purchasing inexpensive slipcovers. While a lightly color slipcover may not be kid or pet-friendly keep in mind you’ll be able to wash them.
By making these changes and keeping things neutral it’ll be easier for homebuyers to envision their belongings in your space.
Adequate Lighting
Every room in your home should be light and bright! If you don’t have enough natural light in every room you’ll want to add lighting. You can add lamps, which can be taken with you when you move or purchase inexpensive light fixtures that will stay with the property.
Amazon has countless light fixtures that are sleek, modern, and extremely affordable (less than $50). If your current light fixtures are outdated I highly recommend replacing them and don’t forget about your bathroom vanity lights.
Light bulbs matter too, some can make your home look yellow and dingy while others will make it crisp, cool, and bright.
Home Staging Tips Continued
Make Repairs
Making repairs and addressing any deferred maintenance is a must prior to listing your home for sale. If you decide against addressing repairs it will not only cost you more money in the long run but potential buyers too.
In my experience, homebuyers will never pay top dollar for a home that clearly has deferred maintenance and visible repairs that need to be made. In fact, it may prevent them from submitting an offer on your home. A majority of buyers are looking for a well-maintained home that’s move-in ready, not a home that’s been neglected and could turn into a money pit.
Homes in need of repair tend to attract investors who are looking for a deep discount and if they decide to make an offer on your home don’t expect it to be anywhere close to market value. Investors are all about the numbers, there is zero emotion involved when purchasing real estate.
Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is the first impression, so make it count! Just as you decluttered and improved the inside of your home you need to do the same on the outside.
Sometimes a fresh coat of paint on the front door and new lighting are a must. Other times a simple pressure washing and fresh mulch will do the job. For additional inspiration for your curb appeal check out this helpful article: 9 budget-friendly curb appeal ideas for selling a home.
And if your home has a private patio or balcony don’t forget to stage those areas too! Outdoor living is a huge selling point, especially in warmer climates, it can add additional living square footage to your home even though it’s outside. Sometimes a little bistro table and chair set along with a few potted plants are the only items needed.
Deep Clean
Last but not least one of the most important staging tips is deep cleaning your home. Sometimes this task should be left to the professionals especially if you’re short on time and energy.
Deep cleaning is not just wiping down all surfaces, that’s only the start. It means a thorough cleaning of all appliances, behind, under, inside, and out. From the range to the refrigerator make sure these items shine and look like new. In addition to kitchen appliances you’ll want to make sure your cabinets and floors sparkle as well.
A space often judged on its cleanliness are bathrooms. This area needs to be scrubbed and disinfectant from top to bottom. Regrouting tile may be in order if the grout is missing or doesn’t come clean. If you don’t have a glass shower enclosure consider purchasing a crisp neutral shower curtain.
Floors throughout your entire home need to be addressed. If you have carpet it should be steam cleaned and if you have hard floors use a microfiber mop and appropriate surface cleaning products. Don’t forget about windows and mirrors, a wet microfiber cloth followed by a dry cloth is sure to leave the surface streak free.
Your cleaning supplies inventory would probably include cleaning gloves, a friendly storage bin, multipurpose cleaner, window and glass cleaner, baking soda, liquid soap, microfiber dusting cloth, sponge, wood polish, and a bucket of hot water.
So grab your cleaning products, put on your favorite cleaning playlist, and follow these cleaning tips when tackling your home or hire a professional.
Final Thoughts
Following these home staging tips to sell are a must! The minute a buyer pulls up to your home they’re deciding if they want to continue looking or get back into their vehicle. So it’s important your home looks its best both inside and out.
While it may cost money to prepare your home for sale it will be worth every single penny, so don’t skip these staging tips. Not only will your home sell faster but for top dollar too!
If you are ever uncertain if you need to do some or all of these staging tips contact a top Realtor in your area. They’ll be able to advise you on what to do and what not to do.
As a Wellington Florida listing agent, I provide all of my clients with a home staging checklist that contains staging tips specific for their home. This way they know exactly what needs to be done before listing. It also prevents them from wasting money and doing things that are not necessary when it comes to staging their home for sale.
Additional Home Selling Resources
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About the Author
Top Wellington Realtor, Michelle Gibson, wrote: “7 Important Staging Tips When Selling Your Home” tips home staging
Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you call or e-mail her today.
Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.
7 Important Staging Tips When Selling Your Home
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