If you're a real estate agent, you probably already know a lot about staging homes. For a homeowner, however, the prospect can be daunting. Share this blog post with your clients to get them started. This can help focus attention on the tasks that are most important for staging and ultimately selling a home.
The first rule of staging a home is cleanliness. It indicates to prospective buyers that the home has been well-cared-for. Here is what to focus on in each room:
Bathroom: Grimy bathroom walls & shower doors are a major red flag to buyers. Spray down the walls with a bleach & water solution, and watch the mold disappear. Clean the shower doors with a muriatic acid and water solution and steel wool. If your tiles are looking old and beat, paint them with epoxy to update the look. Give the whole room a fresh coat of paint.
Clear countertops of clutter and include neatly folded towels. Milwaukee home builder, Tim O'Brien Homes, includes some accessories in its model home bathrooms, such as scented candles and soaps. However, most personal items should be stored out of sight.
Closets: Buyers need to see empty closets and/or clean cabinets. So, start tossing stuff. In the kitchen, arrange pantry items (jars, bottles, cans) in some semblance of order, and neatly stack the dishes. In the closets, hang similar items together and facing the same direction. Line up your shoes.
Many new home builders stage their closets with bags from brands that would appeal to their buyers, such as in this closet by custom builders, Starr Homes.
If you can get most of your closet cleared out, consider trying this yourself!
Kitchen: Revive dated cabinetry with a coat of paint or stain. Update door and drawer hardware. New appliances are always a plus – they instantly say “new kitchen!” If that’s not possible, make sure the ones you have are spotless. Make sure every surface is clean – no crumbs, grease or stains.
Again, new homes are a great place to look for inspiration. White is still a favorite for kitchen cabinets. Some shades of gray and blue are also trending, though, such as in this kitchen by Blue Heron Signature Homes. If you're unsure what shade or stain to choose, ask your realtor or the salespeople at your paint store for recommendations.
Living Room: Revive old hardwood floors. Replace/repair damaged sections, then refinish them in a rich new color. Declutter your built-ins. Remove personal items. Remove excess furniture.
Most people these days don't use their living room for formal entertaining (at least most of the time). However, homebuyers often like to imagine that they will live a less cluttered lifestyle in a new home, so it's best to indulge them! For examples of perfectly staged living rooms, check out Maryland home builder Kettler Forlines Homes.
Bedrooms: Declutter shelves, bookcases, surfaces. Remove personal items. Remove excess furniture. Bedrooms should look peaceful and comfortable.
Bill Clark Homes has plenty of examples of well-staged bedrooms. Opt for neutral colors for both wall color and bedding, as they appeal to the widest audience. Include coordinated pillow arrangements as the cherry on top!
Exterior: No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house.
Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. Ask your local nursery for recommendations. While you're there, you might as well get an arrangement for the dining room table!
If you're in a time crunch, don't be afraid to hire help. A whole house deep-cleaning can be costly, but consider it in terms of the cost of a house. Stage well, and you will likely recoup the cost of your efforts by selling your home at a higher price.
Comments(1)