Staging your home for sale requires a plan of action, an objective eye and time to follow through. There are simple home staging tricks to help showcase your house in its best possible light. Some homeowners will enlist the services of a professional home stager, while others will take on the task themselves. Here are some simple staging tricks that offer huge impact.
If you love color and rooms in your house are painted in rich, saturated tones it’s time to put on your painter’s hat and repaint. Colors that are neutral such as white, beige and light grey will appeal to the largest amount of potential home buyers.
De-cluttering will result in rooms that feel bigger. Remove large pieces of furniture that get in the way of natural traffic patterns. Be prepared to store excess furniture in the basements of family members or even rent a storage unit if you have to. Take time to de-clutter closets since prospective buyers may open your closet doors. Be ruthless when it comes to removing accessories and sentimental pieces. Family pictures, children’s artwork, religious artifacts and trophies are best boxed and stored. A good rule of thumb is, once you think you have de-cluttered every room, do a walk through with a good friend and see what else you can remove!
During an open house, you have a short time to make a positive first impression. It may sound obvious but make sure that your house is spotless. Bathrooms and kitchens must be impeccable. Clean light fixtures, wash cupboard fronts, make floors shine and wash windows inside and out. Remove soiled rugs and have carpets and furniture professionally cleaned. If the sofa is looking too tired to be cleaned, cover it. Everything must be in perfect condition. Make plans to board pets with a friend while showing your house.
You don’t have to completely renovate your home but consider relatively inexpensive fixes such as replacing a tired kitchen counter or sink, or adding new drawer handles to kitchen cupboards. Fix leaky faucets, light switches and broken windows. You aren’t expected to do major repairs unless there is something that might fail a home inspection.
Finally, use decorator tricks to reintroduce warmth. Beautiful flowers in vases will add a nice touch to any room in the house. Replace heavy drapery with light linen ones for a fresh look. New pillows can add small punches of color. On open house day, put a fresh fruit bowl in the kitchen or display freshly baked cookies on a platter. Turn lights on in darker rooms and leave all doors open. After all of your home staging efforts and with the guidance of a professional realtor, watch your house sell in a timely manner!
Thinking of selling your home?
For more helpful advice from a professional Burlington Real-Estate Agent visit Lori VanDinther’s Burlington Homes Website.