So, you are planning on selling your home soon, and what’s next?
Staging a house prior to selling it is one of the best investments you can make to ensure it gets a quick offer and achieves the highest sale value. Research has shown that a staged home sells three times faster than a non-staged home – and 70% of real estate agents stated that home staging increased the offer value on a house by up to 10%. Staging is really important for two reasons:
*”Most people cannot see beyond what is in front of them”, Maggie, the owner of Maggie’s Organizing & Staging says. They get caught up in past perceptions, so you need to show them what is possible. Sometimes rooms are awkward and you need to show people how a space can be best utilized.
*The second reason is that the person may not be very good with space planning. Rooms tend to feel a lot smaller without furniture, so how we place furniture gives buyers a sample of what is possible. One of the hardest things to do is to get out of your own habits and preferences into the mindset of a buyer seeing the home in person or on the internet for the first time. Remember, potential buyers, need to fall in love with your home! No matter what your budget is, these golden home staging tips for sure will have a positive impact on selling your home.
Remove clutter: Clutter makes people feel uncomfortable plus it’s distracting for buyers – their eyes will be drawn to your belongings and not the rooms. The rooms themselves will look smaller and untidy if cluttered, too. Try to free up as much surface space as you can on shelves, coffee tables, and especially in the kitchen. I love wicker baskets! Those are excellent for throwing items that you need but don’t necessarily want to see. Storage units and containers are other great options should you require more space.
Clean, clean, clean A clean home will feel well-cared for, which is important for most buyers – even renovators don’t want to buy somewhere that gives the impression of being neglected. Plus, a clean, aired home will feel fresh and welcoming – this will help buyers envisage themselves living in your home. If you do nothing else, make sure your home is clean, clutter, and odor-free (you may be used to your pets’ pong but buyers won’t be!), and that there are no “yet to be finished” DIY jobs as they’ll give the impression that your house will need a lot of maintenance.
Remove personal items: All personal pictures, family plaques, framed certificates, etc. I know it’s always easy, but remember, when you are selling your home, it becomes not about you, but all focus goes to potential buyers.
Keeping your spaces clean and without clutter makes your home even more beautiful and inviting. Ridgewood
Keep décor neutral: Neutral does not mean boring, but it does mean staying away from shocking colors, and even avoiding all-white and all-beige walls. We also suggest packing up anything smaller than a cantaloupe. We want the buyer to envision themselves living there right away, and a house full of someone else’s pictures don’t do that. Did you know that when rooms are unfurnished, they actually feel smaller than they actually are; so a buyer might be unsure how to position furniture or if their current furniture will fit.
Remodel or Don’t remodel A new kitchen has the most impact on a new buyer. It demonstrates to buyers that the house has been updated. You always recoup your investment from upgrading kitchens and baths. This may not mean remodeling – painting kitchen cabinets can make a world of difference. Sometimes It’s better to spend the money doing cosmetic fixes than worrying about getting the full return on the investment of an extensive remodel. Bathrooms and landscaping are important, too. Redoing floors is worth it if your kitchen and other rooms are in great shape. Talk to a professional who will guide you on updates for your home!
Beautifully staged bedroom in White Plains with neutral, settled tones was very inviting to potential buyers
Avoid divisive décor: When staging an occupied home we are always careful to remove religious and political items, as well as any other items that might be offensive.
Stay timeless! It’s good to be “on trend” with pops of color in, say, pillows and curtains, but avoid anything that’s too trendy. A stager can help draw the line. Making small changes to a room can often have a big impact on its ambiance. I would recommend always replacing bed linen and towels with new crisp white replacements. The same rule applies to bath and hand towels. Scented oil diffusers and candles are always a good idea to create a warm welcoming environment.
Add a pop of color. People do like to see a pop of color in pillows or in an occasional chair. When home staging, it’s really great to add an element of surprise through art with color. Somehow, the majority of people gravitate towards things that are blue. However, in more modern homes, we use a neutral palette with more black than we would in a farmhouse style of architecture.
Never put an empty home on the market! I know I’m a stager but I truly believe that an empty home is not as attractive as an occupied home. One of the challenges of trying to sell a vacant home is that buyers can often have a hard time visualizing themselves living there. Of course, there are exceptions, like a home that needs a lot of updates and renovations.
Fully Renovated Kitchen, freshly stained wood floors, and beautifully staged home, sold in less than one day!
Make a good first impression by staging your front yard. A buyer’s decision-making process doesn’t start inside the property, but rather outside that house. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint on the door, lovely front yard flower bed ideas, or hanging baskets can give a positive first impression.
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