Tips for Staging Your House

Do you know what one of the most common pieces of advice is for house hunters, yet one of the least heeded? Look past what is to see what is possible. Lots of wisdom there, but something people can have a hard time doing. They will see a house and a first impression will immediately rush forward, and if it isn’t a good one, it will be a tough hurdle to overcome– the act of purchasing something, whether a house or a pair of shoes, is largely emotional. You want people to walk into your house, and feel good about it, to feel like this is somewhere they can put down roots and build a home.

This is where staging comes in, and you can either hire someone to help you or do it on your own. If you are interested in a DIY effort, here are just a few strategies that can make a big difference in the look of your house, and help you sell it faster.

 Declutter

This is not only one of the easiest staging techniques, it is one of the most important. You can get a lot of mileage out of this one, and in most cases, it won’t cost you a dime, unless you need to rent some storage space temporarily. This is also a great opportunity to downsize a bit, and avoid brining the mess to your new home.

Go on a clutter-killing mission throughout the home—it creates a yucky energy, and it gives the impression the house doesn’t have a lot of storage space, and if people see your stuff all over the place, they may be concerned there won’t be enough room for their stuff. Make sure bathroom and kitchen counters are cleared out; make sure closets are clean, but don’t empty them completely. Keep about 20 percent full to give a nice illusion of spaciousness.

Depersonalize

Depersonalizing is important because it helps create a more neutral space into which a buyer can more easily mentally insert themselves. Take down the finger paintings on the fridge; box up the collectibles filling the curio; instead of the 50 pictures of your family crawling up the wall next to the staircase, consider just leaving a couple, and maybe throwing in a regular painting or two.

If the master bedroom is particularly feminine- or- masculine-looking, try toning it down a bit to create a more gender-neutral look. You can easily accomplish this with some quick fixes, like a different bedspread and curtains, or slapping on a fresh coat of paint.

Don’t Forget about the Floors

Your flooring can really make or break the overall look of your house. You might consider refinishing your hardwood floors if they are looking a bit dull; give the carpet a good cleaning, or consider putting down a new one if it is looking a bit worn, or the color is a bit too ‘unique’ or ‘loud.’

A Fresh Coat of Paint Can Do Wonders

Whether staging your home, or trying to redecorate on a budget, nothing quite gives you such a major return on your investment than simply throwing on a new coat of paint. Remember the point of staging is to create a house the buyer can see themselves living in, and even though you adore your bubblegum pink bedroom or neon green bathroom, there is a good chance other people will not love it so much.  Go with neutral tones. And for those of you with already neutral wall colors—if it has been a couple of years since you last painted, you might want to freshen things up a bit with a new coat.

These are just a few of the many DIY staging tips at your disposal; while it may seem like a bit of work to stage, it may result in selling your home more quickly, and isn’t that always the goal?

Telmo Bermeo Real Estate Broker

Telmo Bermeo

Real Estate Broker serving the Atlanta Metro Area, for over 12 years. If you are planning to buy or sell your home in Atlanta, call Telmo Bermeo at 404-855-3070

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