Making a Quick Home Sale: The Dos and Dont's of Home Staging

Did you know that staged homes sell up to 88 percent faster than non-staged homes? They also typically sell for 20 percent more than their counterparts. 

So, what is home staging? It means preparing your house to sell by decorating in a way that showcases your residence's potential. Think of it as making a property look its absolute best in order to appeal to a broad rage of possible buyers.

But when it comes to home staging, there are dos and don'ts that you should follow. Here are seven tips to follow to help ensure your house sells quickly.

1. Clean Out the Clutter 

One of the first steps of home stage is to clean out the clutter from your home. That means packing up the knickknacks you've collected over the years and removing any extra or worn-out furniture. 

Clean out things like old magazines, newspapers, and mail, and put away any clothes or shoes that might usually be visible.

Your goal here is to make the home look as open and airy as possible, and by removing extraneous items, your space will look bigger.

Removing extra furniture, for example, can help make a room feel more spacious and help buyers envision what they would use the space for. That means getting rid of things like large sofas or coffee tables.

It's also smart to remove extremely personal items like family photos. It may be difficult to take down these mementos that mean a lot to you, but doing so can help potential buyers better picture themselves in a home.

If these aren't things you'll want to take with you to your new home, consider donating or selling them. 

2. Clean

Along with making sure you've cleaned out the clutter around the house, it's important to make sure your home is spotless. From vacuuming to scrubbing down the bathroom, your home should be spotless before you begin to stage it. 

Look out for any dust bunnies that have been collecting in corners, and watch for any stains on furniture or bedding. Beyond larger and more obvious items on your to-clean list, don't forget about smaller items, like cleaning the baseboards and window frames.

3. Boost Your Curb Appeal

It's not just the inside of your home that matters. Great curb appeal is also an important part of home staging, and the exterior of your house will be the first thing that potential buyers see. It also doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor.

Don't forget to mow your lawn and refresh your landscaping by adding flowers or re-mulching.

Try adding outdoor seating if you have a front porch, or even something as small as a welcome mat. These tiny additions can help your home make a good first impression. 

And don't forget to touch up items like chipped paint on the front door. Making small repairs can go a long way when you're staging a home for sale.

4. Focus on What Matters Most When Home Staging

If you don't have time to stage every room in your house, make the most of your time and focus on the main areas. That means staging rooms like your kitchen and living room, which will be most important to your buyers.

If you do have time after that, then move on to smaller spaces and spares rooms.

5. Keep It Neutral

While you may love your themed living room or the bright color of your kitchen cabinets, one of the best things you can do when staging your home is to keep it neutral.

This means it will appeal to the most buyers possible, and it will keep them from being distracted by your personal style. One small step to take might be repainting walls that feature loud colors. Instead, try whites, grays, and other neutral tones.

6. Defer to the Professionals

While some people might be eager to tackle home staging on their own, you don't have to do this by yourself. 

Home staging services are there to help you maximize your house's potential. They'll know what's sold in similar neighborhoods and have an eye for what will work in your home's layout. 

Don't take their advice personally, and remember that their recommendations are intended to help you achieve your goal of selling your home quickly.

It may cost a little money to hire professionals, but you'll hopefully see a return on your investment when your home sells quickly and possibly for more than you were expecting. 

7. Avoid Bigger Projects

Home staging is an important part of the selling process, but it shouldn't involve major renovations, like redoing a bathroom or overhauling a kitchen. Instead, it's all about maximizing what's already there and showcasing your home's potential.

Focus on smaller projects, like updating bathroom fixtures or applying a new fresh coat of paint to the walls.

This also means that when you're staging your home to sell, you shouldn't buy all new furniture to go in it. Try maximizing what you have and rearranging it in a way that makes spaces look bigger and more neutral to all tastes.

8. Let Light In

When you're staging your home, you want to showcase it — not leave it feeling grim and dark. When you're planning to show your house, remember to double-check that all lightbulbs are working and keep lights on when potential buyers are there.

Natural light is another important part of this, so be sure to pull back curtains and open any blinds. If an area doesn't get much natural light, then set up lamps where needed. 

Stage Your Home the Right Way

When it comes to home staging, doing it right can help you sell your home more quickly and for more money. That means removing clutter and personal items, and remembering to spruce up your front yard. 

By following these tips and tricks, you can showcase your home and convince buyers why it's the right option for them.

If you're ready to buy or sell a home, contact us today.