Staging your home is all about putting the best foot forward for potential buyers. By highlighting its most desirable features, you can draw more interest for your home and leave a lasting impression that is sure to help you sell it more quickly. It is always recommended that you go through your home and get rid of items that you no longer need, and pack away items that you will not need prior to the move to clear out space in your home prior to having listing photos taken. Buyers want to feel like there is ample space for storage, and a clean home clear of clutter will feel more inviting.
Beyond cleaning and clearing out excess items, staging your home is preparing it to look it’s best (and most inviting!) for photos, showings, and open houses. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you prepare for your next open house or viewing!
- Help them visualize it as their own.
Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves making your house their home by removing personal memorabilia, knick-knacks, and photos. Instead replace them with simple décors, such as paintings, nature images, and plants. Be sure that any valuable artwork, jewelry, or other items of high value are removed from the home or locked away prior to opening your home for showings or open houses. - Think sleek instead of comfy.
Modern-day buyers are leaning toward modern, crisp, clean interiors over comfy, homey looks. When staging your home, keep a minimalist mindset, and incorporate bright accent colors and metal accents. A few colorful throw pillows or a soft blanket on the couch or bed will give a bit of color and be inviting, but don’t overdo it. Kitchens should have clean, clear countertops and organized cupboards. You want potential buyers to see that everything has a place, and finding places to store their items won’t be an issue. - Create a spa-like setting
Buyers are citing bathrooms as one of their big items this year. They want a space to relax and rejuvenate. Help your bathrooms put their best foot forward! Purchase a set of fluffy towels that are only used for showings – white is the most recommended color. Set them out in the bathrooms to help potential buyers envision a spa-like experience! Make sure everyone knows not to use them for any reason to keep them looking nice. Setting out some fancy soaps is a nice touch that can take it a step further, but isn’t necessary. Like in the kitchen, make sure your countertops are cleared of your day-to-day items, and the nooks and crannies are cleaned. - Deep clean the small spaces.
It’s obvious to say you should clean your home before viewing, but don’t forget to cover your bases by deep cleaning the small spots. Take time to scrub porous areas like grout that may hold on to stains and baseboards where small pet hairs and dust love to cling. Organizing your closets and storage spaces would also be helpful. Cramming your closets to overflowing will cause potential buyers to believe there isn’t enough storage space in your home. Staging can only do so much if your home isn’t cleaned first. - Spruce up your landscaping.
The first impression buyers will have of your home is its exterior. Ensure you have a freshly mowed lawn, neat hedges and shrubbery, bright flowers, and a clean driveway. If the exterior of your home is dirty or has spiderwebs, washing the outside of your home is also a good idea. Some potted plants near your entry are a great way to add an inviting pop of color without spending a lot of money. - Set the mood.
A home is so much more than just the way it looks, so you need to appeal to the other senses. Make sure that your home smells clean and is free from strong odors – i.e. pets, smoke, etc. Prior to having potential buyers over, set the mood by selecting an upbeat, happy soundtrack to play quietly in the background.
If you have enough advance notice, bake a small batch of cookies shortly before the scheduled showing! If you are short on time, you can place a few drops of essential oil in a diffuser or burn a candle. Be mindful of using strong scents in your home, as some people have sensitivities to smell. Also, having too strong of a smell can cause potential buyers to suspect you are trying to hide something.
These tips will help you create a warm and inviting space for buyers as they look at your home. Taking an extra 15 minutes each morning to make sure that surfaces are cleared off, the beds are made and dishes are done, and setting out a few key items will make your home more attractive to potential buyers, and a clean, organized, and well staged house will usually sell for a higher price.
If you are in the Grand Junction area and are thinking of selling your home, we would love to help you! Contact us to set an appointment to visit your current home and discuss the process of listing your home to sell.
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