When all goes as planned, you should have plenty of time to fix up your house and get it in the best condition possible before listing. But life does not always go as planned. Whether you’re moving for a new job or to be closer to family, the unexpected comes up. Sometimes you just need to make a quick sale.
While there are many ways to help speed up the process of listing and selling your home, one of the best strategies is good home staging. Staging a home means showcasing the house’s greatest assets and downplaying its weaknesses to impress potential buyers and get it sold for the highest price possible.
Staging your home is a fantastic way to catch the attention of buyers and make them want to put in an offer. Here are several strategies to take when staging.
Work with Professionals
While you don’t necessarily need to hire a home staging company, working with knowledgeable real estate agents can help. Staging is something good agents like Shawn Lepp Group real estate agents will be able to provide advice on and help implement.
They’ll be able to look at your home with a critical eye, rather than with emotions and memories like you’ll have, and provide advice based on their knowledge of the local market.
Amp Up the Curb Appeal
When staging first comes up, many people think about moving furniture around. While that is an important part, the first place you should look at is where first impressions are made – the exterior of your house. You can get a good amount done in a weekend, or if you have the time, spread it out over a few weeks.
Use a pressure washer to remove built-up dirt and grime from your house, fix up any loose or missing shingles, and give your front door a fresh coat of bright paint to make it stand out. Replace old house numbers, mailbox, and any other exterior hardware. Make sure your lawn and gardens are tidy and fill in empty beds or bring in a container garden.
Focus on the Kitchen and Bathroom
Ask anyone in real estate, and they’ll tell you, bathrooms and kitchens sell homes. You don’t need to take on a significant renovation. First off, make sure you are highlighting the available storage. That means packing up any rarely used appliances and either using up or donating non-perishables taking up space in the cupboards. Empty your counters and clean everything from top to bottom. Consider updating the paint on your cabinets, but even replacing the hardware will make a noticeable improvement.
Declutter and Depersonalize
Clutter makes spaces feel cramped and small, which is the opposite impression you want to make. Remove excess furniture to make rooms feel more spacious. Make it easier for potential buyers to imagine their own lives by removing and packing away your personal items like family photos, knick-knacks and religious items.
Follow these steps for staging your home to garner interest and sell your home quickly for a fair price.
