Staging Your Home to Sell

Selling your home can be one of the most stressful times for any homeowner. Of course the process is stressful for the homebuyer as well.  For the homeowner however, the process often begins long before potential buyers ever step foot in your home. Don’t fret though, with time and a little planning staging your home to sell can pay off big.  It might even end up being fun!

First Impressions are Everything

In home staging, it has been said time and time again, that curb appeal is everything. You want your home to shout, “Come In”. Sprucing up the landscaping and powerwashing your siding are two quick fixes.  Consider adding potted plants or porch furniture to give your home that inviting feel that your buyer desires. None of these task require much, if any, money and can make a world of difference when it comes to first impressions.

Deep Clean and Clean Some More

This next step albeit time consuming, also does not require any money. You will want to deep clean your home from floor to ceiling. Floors, windows, grout, etc all need to sparkle. Buyers will be turned off by dirt and debris, no matter how realistic it is to see in a lived in home. If it sounds like too much of an ordeal to keep your home spotless in the weeks leading up to an offer, consider hiring a housecleaner. The expense will be minimal in the grand scheme of things.

Clear the Clutter

Now it’s time to clear out the clutter. Again, no matter how realistic it is to see items on shelves and counters, buyers can be easily distracted or overwhelmed by all of your belongings. You want the focus of attention to be your home and all of its attributes, not your shelf of souvenirs. If you can’t bear to let go of all your belongings, consider putting everything in storage. Again, a small expense that will pay off big.

Add that Lived-In Touch

Once you have your home free and clear of clutter, consider how to make your home appear in a way that is lived in. You want to strike a balance between clear of clutter and stark. A clean slate that allows the buyer to envision their belongings and family in your home is what you are trying to achieve. Consider placing fresh cut flowers on the counter or laying out place settings on the dining room table. All of these things give the potential buyer the impression of “clean but also lived in”.

Home Staging for the Sell

If you are able to achieve all of the above tasks while home staging, chances are you will have your home off the market in no time. Then you can go back to living in it as you were. You might however find that cleaning out all the dirt and debris makes living in your home more enjoyable. If nothing else, home staging can help get rid of old and unused items and will give you a jumpstart on packing which is something you will have to do regardless.