We have all heard the term and seen the shows on T.V. that tout the importance of staging your home before selling it. Then they bring in a specialist and spend thousands of dollars to make their home look picture perfect. Well it doesn’t have to be that difficult or costly to get your home looking it’s best. Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to help stage your home for sale.
- Exterior. Many people focus so much on the inside staging they forget that the first thing a buyer sees is the outside. Paint is one of the few expenses that tends to pay for itself in a sale so touch up any spots that need it. Make sure there are no areas that are peeling. Mow the lawn, rake the leaves or shovel the walkway. Move the toys and the old car out of the back yard and keep the outside space as neat as you plan on doing for the inside.
- De-clutter. Pack up all your knick-knacks, your photos and your collections. These items distract buyers and keep them from seeing the house as their potential home. Keep shelves and countertops clear and free of too much stuff.
- Paint. Paint goes a long ways and if you are willing to pick up the brush yourself, it is an inexpensive investment with a big return. A fresh coat of neutral colored paint will brighten and renew most any space.
- Delegate. Make sure each room has an obvious purpose. It helps buyers imagine themselves in the space if they see its use. Make an office an office, a guest room a guest room. If you can’t easily “name” a room it is time to put it to a specific use.
- Clean. It may sound obvious but it is worth stating. Clean your home. It should be free of dirt and dust and unpleasant smells. Make sure windows are washed and carpets vacuumed and the smelly trash taken out. You should plan to clean your house before every showing. And though it might sound cliche, baking a pan of cookies really doesn’t hurt.
Most of these suggestions can be done with out too much cost to you and will go a long way in helping you sell your home for a better price and in quicker time. Feel free to ask us about staging options and ideas.
Leave a Reply