When a Realtor speaks to you about "staging" your home, they are referring to the process of getting it ready to market to the world of potential buyers. Some sellers, generally those selling in the lower price ranges, do not even stage their homes and it is not REQUIRED, however, it can absolutely help you sell your home quicker, regardless of the price range. Today we go over a few things to remember and 5 MUSTS for staging your home for a quick sale!
REMEMBER:
1) Staging is NOT the same as decorating. Decorating is more of a personal style thing, whereas staging is making your home the most attractive to the largest pool of buyers possible!
2)For normal price points, people are not looking to buy "fixer uppers". This means potential buyers want to see a home as complete as possible. Staging your home can show people that you have little to no work to complete and it is "ready to go" on move in!
3)There are generally 3 ways staging gets done: You do it yourself, your realtor does it for you, or you hire someone to do it for you. All are viable depending on your preference!
And now, our 5 MUST DOS while staging your home to have the best shot at a quick sale!
1)Declutter - Everyone has heard this term before. Clutter is a huge issue because it can distract the potential home buyers from what they need to be focused on and it can make the space seem smaller than it actually is. Get a storage unit and take everything, except the essentials, to make the room, and make it vanish, temporarily.
2)Depersonalize - This one goes both ways. Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves in your home and a plethora of family photos, kids drawings, toothbrushes, and anything else personal can distract from that. You will hear that you should hide all evidence of another family living there but this realtor digresses slightly. We believe that several well placed personal items can actually benefit the situation. If you are selling a 5 bedroom house, the buyers will have children more than likely. Leaving a family photo on the wall, or some of your young boy's Spiderman toys out(organized of course), or your daughter's barbie pillow, may help the potential buyers see that this house was a happy house for you and can be for them!
3) Make it Fresh!! - A plant, THAT IS ALIVE, here and there, not a nursery, can help your home seem inviting. Get rid of odors. No pet smells, breakfast smells, plates left in the sink, etc. Also, take out the trash please, it WILL make a difference. Lastly, try some essential oils. Put a few drops mixed with water in a spray bottle and spray a couple of times near the center of the room. You can thank me later!
4)Define your Rooms - Give each room a purpose. This helps potential buyers see how to maximize the room's square footage. This does not mean they have to use the room for the same purpose as you have chosen. Make sure as much space as possible is visible. Nooks, window sills, shelving, etc. needs to be available to the potential buyer's imagination!
5)Lighting - Natural light is a must in most cases. Make sure all your blinds and curtains are open during showings. Turn on all lights for showings, replace bulbs with brighter bulbs if need be, and make sure you dust off any fixtures or remove grimy substances!
In Conclusion...
There is no sure fire way to sell your house quickly as that depends on many factors. There are, however, a ton of ways to make sure you are making your home as appealing as possible to as many people as possible. Fresh flowers and fluffy show towels are a great "right before showing" way to spruce up the place a bit. This should not be an expensive endeavor. Focus on the most "bang for your buck" ideas and sell your house as quickly as possible, with proper staging of course!!
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