Imagine you’re a potential homebuyer. You’ve found what appears to be your dream home on an online real estate listing. It’s got everything you need in terms of rooms, space, etc. Excited, you arrange for a tour. The door opens, you step inside and…your supposed dream home is more like something out of your worst nightmare. Sure, it’s got everything you need, but the way the seller’s staged it – odd paint colors, poor lighting, outdated cabinets, bare walls – you could never imagine living here, let alone stepping foot in it again.
The moral of the story for you, the seller, is that staging a home is vital to selling a home. You’ve only got one chance to make a first impression, and this is one impression worth thousands of dollars. You may have the finest home on the block, but if you haven’t taken the proper measures to stage your home, you might as well be selling some spooky, condemned building on the other side of town. While some buyers might be able to see beyond clutter and nasty wallpaper, many are fickle and will base their decision on your hanging a tacky velvet painting above the dinner table.
Put some effort into staging your home and you will make it more sellable. Think about the time you purchased it. What about the way the seller staged it made it more or less appealing? Did you adore the way the seller arranged their artwork, but dislike the pea green paint in the living room? These seemingly small choices can have a big impact on a buyer’s overall impression of a home.
If you’re staging a home for sale, make sure first and foremost that it is clean and clear of clutter. Those boxes full of yearbooks and Halloween decorations? Store them in the attic or donate them. Also, be sure to do a thorough cleaning of your home, including dusting, mopping, vacuuming, etc. While you’re at it, make sure your home smells nice (and not like Mr. Clean just made a visit.) Consider lighting candles and/or plug-in air fresheners. Make your home smellable and it will be sellable.
Does your home look like something out of “That 70s Show”? Be sure to stage your home in an appropriately modern fashion. Retro is cool, but old-looking is just that: old-looking. If your home looks dated, it will be less appealing to a buyer. Still using those cabinets you bought in 1985? Paint them or install new ones. Regarding wall paint, be sure to go with neutral colors that appeal to any buyer. Draw attention to the space in your home, not your lack of interior design skills. While you’re at it, make sure to provide ample lighting. Dim lights do no good. Pop in some new bulbs and leave the lights on. Home staging doesn’t have to be rocket science.
As a seller, staging a home for sale is undeniably important. Make your home livable and it will be much more sellable. Now is the time to get rid of those neon lights and salmon-colored walls.
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