STAGING YOUR HOME
A home seller or real estate professional looking to maximize the appeal of a home for sale should definitely assess the property from the outside in and create an action plan of rooms that need the most attention. Typically, when undergoing a home staging for resale, the entire home does not require an inside and out home redesign, so by carefully selecting the rooms that will have the most influence on the potential buyer when they walk through, cost and time can be saved while still investing in enhancing those areas that will have the most positive impact.
While there are many professionals that offer home staging services, if you are considering staging your own home for sale, there are several fundamentals that should be followed, all of which will ultimately create a home that showcases its positives and takes that attention away from any of the home's flaws, such as bedrooms that are too small, etc. Here are just several tips to follow when staging a house for sale.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Never mind just the typical surface cleaning and dusting, really look good and hard at all facets of the home, including the baseboards, fans, light fixtures, and tile grout. Make sure that there are no dust bunnies or cobwebs anywhere in the house. Also take a good look at the exterior of the home - consider repainting or cleaning the outdoors with an industrial power washer, including the driveway and sidewalks. And while outside, consider replacing any sod or plants that aren't holding up too well.
Removal of Personal Items
Most homes are decorated with family photos, records of personal achievements, and religious and cultural symbols. In order to appeal to everyone who walks through this home for sale, it's necessary to remove all of these items so that the potential buyer does not ever feel as though they are walking through someone else's home. It's important that as they are discovering the home that they are kept focused on how they would see themselves living in the space. While doing this may make living in the home while it's on the market a little 'sterile', it will make it much easier for the real estate professional to show the home even on a last minute's notice.
Openness and Lighting
By keeping each of the rooms free of clutter and showcasing the spaciousness, it will help the buyer to envision their own furniture and personal items in each of the spaces. Lighting of the home is also key in enhancing the size of the space - be sure to allow plenty of natural light into each of the rooms during the day, and keep on plenty of interior lights into the evening hours. This will ensure that the rooms never appear to dark and cold, which ultimately makes them feel too small.
Paint Colors
There are varying opinions on whether neutral shows better than bolder pops of color here and there. For the most part, neutral colors such as creams and tans will essentially enlarge the size of the rooms visually, making it the safe route when dealing with a home that has some tight spaces. It also allows the buyer to envision colors that they would like to add to the home without having to think through the daunting task of having to repaint the entire home first. However, it is also said that when home staging a larger home (such as a custom home), when there are no issues with rooms being too small, the use of bold colors and textures can add a sense of elegance and richness to the home.
Finishing Touches
Once a home has completed the home resale staging process, it's critical to be prepared at any given moment to show the home to potential buyers. Be sure to keep all personal items in the kitchen and bathroom in gathering places that can be easily packed up and put under the counter, clear out any trash in the garbage cans, and be sure to put down any toilet seats and replenish any empty toilet paper rolls. It's also a nice touch to spray a quick air freshener and then turn on some soft music for background ambiance as people are walking through the home. Be sure to keep some lights on if it's during the evening hours.