10 Staging Secrets from the Pros for a Quick Home Sale at Top Dollar
The Real Estate Staging Association estimates that professionally staged properties spend 73 percent less time on the market, receive more foot traffic, and typically sell for more money.
Following are 10 tips you can use to get your home “show ready” prior to hitting the market. These easy and cost-effective ideas will help your house look its best—and help buyers visualize themselves living there. Even if you’re not currently in the market to sell, you can use these tactics to breathe new life into your existing home decor.
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#1 Remove Clutter
Overflowing closets and cluttered countertops can make your house feel small and cramped. Pack up anything you don’t use on a daily basis and store it off site. Make sure any items that remain are clean and tidy. The good news is, when it comes time to move, a large portion of your packing will be done!
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#2 Deep Clean & Deodorize
Having a clean (and odor-free) home is a MUST. To achieve this, you may want to invest in a professional cleaning service for your home, carpets and upholsteries. Try to keep your house in clean, show-ready condition while it’s on the market. You never know when a potential buyer will want to drop by for a viewing.
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#3 Depersonalize
Buyers will have a hard time envisioning themselves living in a house if it feels like YOUR home. Pack up any items that are personal to you and your family, such as photos, books, children’s artwork, travel souvenirs, and religious items.
#4 Neutralize Your Color Palette
By incorporating a neutral color palette throughout your home, buyers can better visualize the addition of their own furniture and decor, which may contrast with your current color scheme. Try repainting walls in a neutral color, and bring in tasteful pops of color with throw pillows and accessories.
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#5 Increase Your Curb Appeal
According to a report by the National Association of Realtors, 44 percent of home buyers drove by a property after viewing it online but did NOT go inside for a walkthrough. That means if your curb appeal is lacking, buyers may never make it through the door.
Thoroughly clean the outside of your home and walkway. Plant flowers, trim trees and hedges, and repaint your front door. Even small, cosmetic improvements like new house numbers and a colorful wreath can have a big impact.
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#6 Freshen Kitchens & Baths
Kitchens and bathrooms will show better and appear larger if all items are cleared from the countertops, except for one or two decorative pieces. If your cabinets are dingy or outdated, adding a fresh coat of paint and new hardware is an easy and inexpensive way to make them modern and bright.
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#7 Set The Table
Buyers often imagine hosting family gatherings in their new home, and the dining room plays a large role in that vision. Be sure the table is centered underneath the chandelier and on the area rug if you’re using one. Dress up the table using nice tableware and cloth napkins or a table runner and centerpiece.
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#8 Rearrange Furniture
In your living room, use a symmetrical seating arrangement to create a cozy conversation area. For small bedrooms, remove all the furniture except the bed, bedside tables and a dresser. If it’s a large room, add one or two chairs and a table to create a seating area.
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#9 Lighten Up
Make sure windows are clean, and open curtains and blinds to let in the maximum amount of daylight. Each room should have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (such as a reading lamp or under-cabinet light), and accent (such as a floor or table lamp).
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#10 Highlight Your Backyard's Features
Don’t forget about staging your home’s outdoor areas to help buyers imagine how they could utilize the space. Even a small patio can become a selling feature with the addition of a cafe table and chairs.
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BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
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If you’re in the market to sell your home, this list provides a great starting point for your preparations. But nothing beats the trained eye and expertise of a real estate agent. Before you do any work, we recommend consulting a professional for advice about your particular property.
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We offer free, no-commitment seller consultations and will walk through your home with you to help you assess which projects and upgrades are worth your time and money, and which ones you can skip.
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Please call or email us today with questions or to schedule a free consultation!
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