Hours
When you’re selling your house, potential buyers will be trying to picture their furnishings, décor and family in the space. Staging can help your home sell faster, because it showcases all the positive aspects of your home and gets rid of distractions like clutter and personal decorations. Here are a few tips for making your house more appealing to buyers.
1. Take an Objective Look
Perform a walkthrough of your house, trying picture it from the buyer’s perspective. Look for maintenance that needs to be completed and personal photos that need to be packed away. Enlist a friend to give an objective point of view and point out items that should be addressed.
2. Declutter and Downsize
Pack up all the “stuff” covering your shelves and counters. Consider it the start of the moving process! Store extra pieces of furniture to free up space. Leave your closets half empty so they’ll look roomy and buyers can see there’s plenty of storage.
3. Clean from Top to Bottom
Deep clean or hire a service to do it for you. Buyers will be looking in every corner, opening all the closets, and they’ll notice any cobwebs and dirt.
4. Switch to a Neutral Style
Potential buyers may not have the same taste as you, so think clean, fresh and neutral. Shabby chic, industrial, modern, country, and other styles can be toned down to be more generally appealing.
5. Master Bedroom
A master bedroom should appeal to both sexes, so make sure it’s not too dark or frilly. Make the bed with an attractive comforter set, and store furniture you don’t need to help the room look bigger.
6. Living Room
Replace or get rid of dated, torn furniture and décor. A few new throw pillows and an area rug with a modern design will give the room a quick update. Staging the family room around a TV will help buyers picture where their own television and furniture would fit.
7. Dining Room
Make sure each room is furnished for the appropriate purpose. For example, if you converted your dining room into a playroom, move the toys somewhere else and stage the room with a dining set before listing. Consider setting the table to make the room more inviting.
8. Bathroom
Make the bathroom shine and keep the toilet lid down. Empty the trash and put out fresh towels before showings.
9. Exterior
Potential buyers see the outside of your home first, often even before they even schedule a showing. Make sure the front door is painted and working properly, mow the lawn, and keep the bushes trimmed.
Now you have a clean, decluttered, neutral-style home that’s ready for a new owner. Good luck, and happy selling!
