Free Ways to Stage Your Home to Sell!

Free Ways to Stage Your Home to Sell!

While most buyers are looking on-line (at pictures) to find the right home for them it would make terrific sense for your home to be looking its best.  Staging your home is very simple if you know the basics and how to get started.  After you stage it your home will be ready for the photo shoot.  Staging doesn't have to be an expensive ordeal, but it does take time and common sense.  Put your money into more important things, like a good Realtor who can help you market and position your home and get it sold!

Within seconds, potential homebuyers form an opinion about a property.

Make sure that opinion is a positive one by staging it!

When a buyer comes into your home it is most likely after they have previewed homes on the internet and after they have narrowed down their choices.  So one of the most important thing you need to do is totally clean your house from top to bottom.  Wipe it clean, dust it all, sweep, mop, vacuum, and make it all sparkle!  Time consuming? Yes!  Expensive? No! And absolutely, totally necessary!  

Another really simple idea is to de-clutter!  Walk through your house and simply remove extra items.  A rule of thumb is to think in "threes". Three items on the fireplace mantle, three items on a shelf, three items on a dresser...  Another thing, "less is more."  Here are some ideas: create "white space", take magnets off the refrigerator, leave only a few items in each closet, and on bookshelves and walls.  Clear off clutter on counters and tables. Remove personal items such as family pictures, dried flower arrangements, collectibles and knick-knacks, and religious items. You are moving, right?  So pack it up!

Furniture should be placed strategically and should define the purpose of the room.  Family room furniture should be arranged around the focal point of the room, usually the fireplace or entertainment center.  Living room furniture should be arranged in conversational groupings. Each room should only hold the most important items.  An example of this is a bedroom with the bed, dresser, night stand, and lamp.  Everything else should be packed away.

Another simple and free staging idea is to keep it simple. Each room in your home should be free of distractions and chaos.  Don't have too many popping colors and props.  You want the buyer to see space since that is what they are paying for.  You want them to imagine their "stuff" in the house.  Pack all the extras away like colorful pillows and throws.

Here is another easy idea - let nature and sunlight in. Yes, you really do need to clean those windows! Open the blinds, shutters, and/or curtains unless there is a really bad view and simply remove heavy drapes!  Let is all look light and airy.  Get some plant clipping and put them in vases of water around the house.

Last but not least take care of the exterior too!  Sweep the walk ways and front porch/steps. Make the entrance welcoming!  Mow the lawn and trim bushes and trees.  If you can't see the house very well from the curb then neither can potential buyers! Power wash if necessary.   

Like I said, these are basically free Ways to Stage Your Home to Sell! Time consuming to do, but totally necessary.  

Happy Selling!