Basic Home Staging Tips - Cultivating a Profitable First Impression from a Toronto Home Staging Perspective

The Home Staging Basics

1. De-clutter: Buyers want to the home, not the stuff.
2. Clean: Oven, Fridge, Stove, Power-Wash Siding, Porches, Railings, Windows, Skylights, Drapery and Blinds
3. Eliminate Odors:  Keep windows open 10 minutes a day.

Make Your Investment More Spacious

1. Get rid of excess furniture or replace oversized/outdated pieces of furniture with newer, more appropriately scaled items.  Renting from a staging company will ensure you get the most appropriate pieces with minimum stress.
2. Brighter spaces appear more spacious.  Dark corners should be lit with accent lighting. Change bulbs to maximum illumination to achieve same effect.
3. Remove excess area rugs and mats.
4. Paint cement floors, walls and/or ceiling in your basement to give the illusion of more space in an often-neglected space.

Make Your Home "Move-In-Ready"

1. Don't underestimate a fresh coat of paint - in the right colour of course.
2. Make minor repairs (tend to dripping faucets, cracked tiles, moldy caulking or grout, loose hardware/handles, sticky drawers or unhinged closet doors)
3. Clean carpets or replace if necessary.

Make Your Investment Updated

1. Consider removing heavy drapery, swags or valances.
2. Update kitchen hardware and light fixtures
3. Don't neglect the furnace room, fuse box and electrical panel. If it looks clean, it looks newer!
4. Be 'MLS ready', rent contemporary art, furniture and accessories.

Make Your Home Welcoming

1. We want buyers to connect with the home and imagine themselves living in your home - put away anything connected with your family and personal interests, such as family photos, diplomas, trophies, etc.
2. Set lights to timers to ensure lights are on for evening showings.
3. Leave the heat and/or air conditioning on to keep temperatures comfortable and circulate air.
4. Keep the lawn mowed, and landscape tidy. Hide the garbage and recycling bins and consider placing 2 urns with season flowers at the entrance.
5. Add a touch of warmth:  a well-placed vase of flowers, a bowl of green apples, or a small candle can warm up a room and make the house seem cared for.