Spring market is here! Whether you have already listed your home or you are house hunting and hoping to sell this year, it is never too early to start getting your current home ready for prospective buyers.
A great way to give the best first impression of your home is by staging it. Put simply, a staged home gives the feeling that it has been well maintained and cared for by the owners. We all know what a lived-in house looks like, but you want to show prospects how great the house can look by putting it in the best possible light.
So where do you start? Here are a few easy ways to stage your house to sell it quicker and for more money:
Declutter
The first, and most important, thing you can do to get your house ready to hit the market is to clear out the clutter. Not only will this make your move a little easier, but it will allow people walking through to see your house, not your stuff.
Have you looked at listing photos for properties online? The ones that are the easiest to look at have less decorations and things everywhere. A cluttered home will give the impression that, if you couldn’t take the time to clean up before listing it, you may not have taken great care of the house. Find some time and donate or purge your excess stuff, and make sure to do the following:
- Clear off all countertops (kitchen and bathrooms) as much as possible
- Remove excess decor from walls and shelves
- Place bathroom toiletries out of sight
- Store away small appliances
- Clear out excess closet clutter, such as clothes or shoes that are out of season
- Hide toys in bins or cabinets
- Show more floor space by removing excess furniture
Go Neutral
A home with neutral walls and decor will sell faster. If you have time, paint everything a creamy white, beige, or neutral gray color. Doing this will allow buyers to picture their furniture and decor in the home. Plus, a fresh coat of paint gives a “move-in ready” feel. If you don’t have time to re-paint some of the spaces with color, just put neutral furniture or bedding in that room.
Remove Personalized Items
This is not only from a staging perspective, but also privacy. Take down your family photos (don’t worry, you’ll find the perfect place in your new home!) and any plaques or diplomas with names on them.
Clean
Sometimes it’s worth it to hire a cleaning company to come in and give it that extra sparkle, but this is another step that you can take care of on your own. Make sure your floors and baseboards are free of debris. Wipe down your windows and glass doors. Dust off surfaces. Clean off any fingerprints that could be on cabinets or drawers.
Give a Great First Impression with Curb Appeal
Look at your front door and consider how you can make it more welcoming. Perhaps you’ll want to give the front door a nice new coat of paint. Consider hanging up a wreath, and placing a new doormat in front of it. If you have space, maybe a hanging basket of flowers or a potted plant nearby will give the front of the house a bit more warmth. If your doorknob is old or jiggly, now would be a good time to replace that. Make sure the grass is cut and that the flower beds are free of weeds.
Let There Be Light
No one wants to move into a cave! Make sure each room has adequate lighting. Change out heavy drapes for lighter versions that allow in more natural light. Add lamps to dark corners, if necessary.
Give Each Space a Purpose
We all have those rooms or spaces in our homes that end up not doing much besides being a place to put stuff. Try to give each space a purpose. Perhaps you bring in a couple of chairs and call it a “sitting area,” or maybe a desk and call it the office. It’s not about how you used the home; it’s about telling buyers how they could use the home.
Taking the time to declutter, clean, and stage your home will pay dividends. Not only will it likely sell quicker, but you’ll also maximize your selling price and make your life a whole lot easier when you are ready to pack up and move.
Looking to make the big move soon? Check out our Move In Now homes and consider a brand new home to make all your own this year.