Staging a home can make or break a potential buyer’s experience. Whether a house is cramped, crowded, dirty, or too bare, many potential buyers can have a hard time looking past some of these negatives. According to homestaging.about.com, buyers will have an opinion of your home in the first 7-10 seconds. Over 90% of buyers also look at homes on the Internet. Establishing your home as a great investment in person, as well as over the Internet is key. Below are a couple of tips to staging your home in a way that will attract buyers, and help them see all that your home has to offer.
1. Simplify
Every house is unique to its owner, and while this is normally a good thing, when wanting to sell your home, it can be seen as a negative. You want buyers to be able to picture their accessories, their decorations, and ultimately, themselves living in your home. Now is the time to simplify your home. De-clutter any shelves, bookcases, surfaces, etc. that could be potentially distracting. Decorate sparingly with pieces that are complementary of your space, not ones that distract and divert attention. This may also mean painting a neutral color. You want buyers to notice positive elements such as large bedrooms, a good layout, nice crown molding, or granite countertops. However, a busy space can leave them noticing the surplus of decorations, or a bright colored bedroom instead.
2. Remove
When you are selling your home, removing large items is sometimes a must. Maybe your living room is a little crowded with furniture, or your guest bedroom is cramped with two beds when it would look better with just one. You want buyers to see the space, not a surplus of furniture. By removing excess furniture, buyers can better see dimensions and picture their own furniture in your house.
3. Clean
When a house is filthy, it is noticeable. Many times, it is the first thing a potential buyer will notice. It is understandable that your house cannot be spotless at all times, but cleaning is an absolute must. Try to keep your house as neat as possible. Areas such as kitchens and bathrooms are a priority for many buyers. Don’t leave these areas dirty. If you have a pet, especially, attend to litter boxes and hair.
4. Extra perks
Some sellers go above and beyond, and their work pays off. When you care for your home, it shows buyers that your space is well kept and has been properly maintained. Invest in a wall plug-in to make your home smell fresh. Add a few potted plants around the front door. Take the time to make your home stand out…in a good way!
From my experience as a broker, as well as personal experience, staging a home can be extremely easy and make a huge difference in your selling process. According to homegain.com, sellers who spent $500 on staging recovered over 343% of the cost when they sold their home. When staging a home, a little can go a long way!
