HOME STAGING TIPS TO GIVE YOU THE UPPER HAND
WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS ON THE MARKET
Staging your home well is incredibly important. If done right it can make your home appear bigger, brighter, and more appealing to buyers. Staging is what you do after you've cleaned, decluttered, painted, made
minor repairs; it's all about dressing the house for sale.
Here are some easy ideas to get you started -
· Vases of fresh flowers anywhere in the house brightens the space.
· Fresh new pillows to add a pop of color to your couch.
· Style your dining room table. Setting your table as if its set for a dinner party adds pops of color and helps buyers envision the fun they can have in their new space.
In your living room, arrange your furniture with good flow and easy conversations. Remove any extra pieces and personal photos. Repaint dingy walls, however, choose sophisticated neutral colors. Now is not the time to experiment with that "fun"-looking lime green. Rich mid tone neutrals like beige or gray create a sophisticated backdrop that makes everything look more pulled together. Bring in your pops of color with the accents.
· Stage your master bedroom with crisp linens, perhaps a blanket folded at the end of the bed, and pretty pillows. Remove all personal items.
· Keep toys picked up in kids’ rooms. Of course there will be families with children looking at your home, but just because they have kids too doesn't mean they want to see toys strewn around. When people are house hunting, they are imagining a fresh start. Show them there is room in your house to have beautifully organized kids rooms.
· If you have been using a spare bedroom as a dumping ground for odd pieces of furniture and boxes of junk, it's time to clean up your act. Each room should have a clearly defined purpose, so think about what potential buyers might like to see here. An office? A guest room? Another kids' room? Whether you buy inexpensive furnishings, rent them, or borrow some from friends, making a real room out of a junk room will have a big payoff.
· De-clutter bathrooms and add fresh towels. Give a spa feeling.
· Be careful of pet odors! If you have pets, (or you have dirty spots or odors), get all rugs steam cleaned and be extra vigilant about vacuuming Also be sure to keep any pet toys, kennels, or litter boxes hidden when tours are scheduled.
· Stage outdoors too. Even if you only have a postage stamp size balcony, play it up with a cute café table and chairs, a cheerful tablecloth and even a little tray of dishes or a vase of flowers. When people look at this scene, they won't be thinking "small," they will be thinking, "What a charming spot to have breakfast!" Make sure your garden is in beautiful shape in the summer, and that any extra features you have, like a pool, firepit, or built in barbque area are cleaned and ready to go.
· Take advantage of the cozy vibe of the cooler months by building a fire in the fireplace and simmering hot apple cider on the stove or fresh cookies in the oven.
If you have any questions about selling your home or would like more
information on how to get started, please contact Karin Kay Properties
at 360-479-7653
