5 Tips for Staging Your Home to Sell Fast
While the real estate market is still hot with changes being made by the Federal Reserve there are signs that the market may finally take a collective breath to see what will happen next. With changes coming you don’t have to decide to not sell your home or to put it on pause–Instead, we look for ways to make your house look better than the others on the market. One way you can stand out in the market is by staging your home.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Mar 25th, 2023)
According to the Home Staging Report from the National Association of Realtors, 53 percent of real estate agents say staging either slightly or dramatically decreases a home’s time on the market. And the most important thing to you as a seller 41 percent of agents say staged homes can bring in more cash.
Are you preparing to list your home? How can you be sure it sells fast and for top dollar?
Follow these recommendations for home staging to make that a reality for you.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Mar 25th, 2023)
Rearrange your furniture
Take a step back and start thinking about your buyers and how the layout appears to them. When we live in our house we tend to prioritize comfort over aesthetics– When it comes to selling your home you want to think about how does this look to the buyers. Could you remove furniture or other features to make the room look more spacious? Would rearranging help it feel more open and welcoming?
Can you create more of a path from room to room to guide buyers to the best features of the home? Don’t be afraid to try a few arrangements and see what feels (and photographs) best. Your agent as well as the photographer can help you make it look best.
Show off the floors
Make sure to think of yourself as the stager and what you would want to see going into a model home. If you have wood floors, take some time to clean them up and shine them (if you don’t know what you’re doing it might be good to consult a professional cleaner). Carpets tend to get dirty and have wear and tear on them no matter how careful you are. Get a steam cleaner and give the floor a good, deep cleaning.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Mar 25th, 2023)
You would be surprised how many potential buyers notice little things like stains or a rough spot on the carpet. You can also add an area rug to draw the eyes downward (or cover up scuffs and stains if need be). If you do go that last route make sure to get those cleanings and scuffs cleaned before you leave to leave the home in the best shape possible.
Clear out the closets
This is a general rule not just for closets but for all extra spaces in the home. Everyone wants closet space and when a buyer comes into your home they WILL look in the closet, so don’t turn buyers off with cramped spaces stuffed to the brim. Use this as an opportunity to get ahead on your moving out. Declutter, purge, sell and donate items you no longer want or need. It will increase the appearance of the size of your closets, and like we said before it will give you less to move once your sale goes through.
Depersonalize and declutter
We helped a buyer a few years ago who talked about walking through a potential home and they couldn’t remember one thing about the house because it was so dirty and cluttered. There were Amazon boxes stacked everywhere, dishes, clothes, and many other things which took completely away from the house. With this being said the closets aren’t the only thing you should declutter.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Mar 25th, 2023)
Buyers will look everywhere (they can get a little nosy sometimes) — in drawers, behind cabinets, and in just about every nook and cranny. Make sure these areas are cleaned out and optimized for space. You should also make it a point to depersonalize the home as you do this. Take down family photos, remove personal artwork, etc. These items although very important to you can cause buyers to have a difficult time picturing them and their stuff in the home.
Let the light shine
Don’t make a buyer walk into Dracula’s crypt. Spaces full of light feel bigger and more welcoming. Besides opening curtains and turning on lights, think about replacing any dark, heavy curtains with light, airy ones that let in more sunlight. Adding mirrors does double duty as they will reflect light across the room and mirrors add a perception of increased size of a room. You can even open the windows before a showing to really make a space pop (not recommended during storms).
The final word
When selling your home you want to have every bullet at your disposal to get your home sold quickly and for the most money possible. Staging can have a significant impact on that home price. You don’t have to hire a professional stager although many real estate agents offer this service as part of their selling package. If you’re short on time or budget, focus your efforts on the areas that often make or break the sale of a home– These are the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen. These 3 rooms are your money makers. Give yourself the advantage as you prepare to sell your home and we wish you the best in the process.