Has your home been sitting on the market unsold? Or, are you thinking about putting it on the market? You only get one chance to make a first impression. Home staging means transforming a home into a space that buyers feel comfortable and inspired in enough to purchase. This is done by re-arranging furniture, creating focal points that wow, de-cluttering, changing paint colors to shades that sooth the eye, and highlighting the assets of a home. It works for homes in all price ranges. Especially in a soft market with lots of inventory, you need all you can to distinguish your home from the competition.
Stage Your Home
And Get It Sold
Below is a good article about Staging your home including IMPORTANT TIPS:
- The longer a home stays on the market the lower the selling price drops.
- Buyers usually purchase through emotion and make their decision within minutes of walking in the door.
If you put some money into your home to stage it well, you will have a better chance at getting the maximum value out of it when you sell. The secret is to change the look and feel of your house so a buyer can envision themselves living in it. It is truly a buyers market right now so this is very important. Remember, there is a lot of competition out there; Homes with the same features, selling for similar prices, probably right in your own neighborhood.
So what separates your home from the one down the street? Your goal is to create an emotional connection between the buyer and your house as soon as they step inside your front door. Know who your target buyer is and decorate your home to be attractive to them-not you.
So you need to do more than fix what is broken in your house; you need to look at the paint on the walls, the clutter, the furniture arrangement and all your accessories, and edit it all. This is called Staging. I am now going to review the most important staging requirements. Number One: detach yourself from the home you are selling. Look at your home through the eyes of a buyer, not the seller. REMEMBER THIS!! Here are the rest of my tips:
De-clutter
Outside your home, trim bushes, put down fresh sod, and make the yard look open and clean. Inside your home, put away all the kids crafts, art work, awards, the family dogs things, and lots of books and small knick knacks. Although these items mean a lot to you, they won’t do anything to help sell your home – and may even turn off the buyers. Although you would think to stuff all your clutter in your closets so the rooms look tidy and neat, that would be a major no-no. The neater your closets, drawers and cabinets are, the more useful they look to a buyer.
Paint The Walls
You want to warm up the space with paint that is visually appealing to the buyer. Color adds personality. Not too much color though, or it will distract the buyer who can’t see beyond the color you chose. The key is to choose a color that is neutral enough to give the buyer wonderful ideas about what they can do with the space.
Define Architectural Details
Define architectural details and positive focal points using color. Your goal is to have the buyer stop and stare throughout your space, instead of just whisking through like a fast breeze. Also, if your moldings, trim work and doors look dirty, dull, and old, a fresh coat of paint makes a huge impact.
Furniture
Too much furniture is a mistake all too often made. Edit out pieces and watch the rooms open up. Also try floating pieces to create better traffic flow and create a warmer atmosphere. Rent a storage unit and place oversized furniture and all your personal items in that would distract the buyer from seeing your home as a possible fit for them.
Don’t Cover Up the Windows
Allow natural light in and create an open feeling by using sheers or simple drapes to outline the window. Always use window treatments of the same length when you have different sized windows in the same space. It evens them out.
Don’t Cover Up the Windows
Allow natural light in and create an open feeling by using sheers or simple drapes to outline the window. Always use window treatments of the same length when you have different sized windows in the same space. It evens them out.
Lighting
If you still have builder grade lights – change them. Everyone loves upgrades.
Clean Up The Entry Way
Add the drama with a chandelier and a foyer table or bench. Do not over accessorize. Mirrors make small foyers feel larger.
Garage
This should be spotless, organized and show off its size.
Leverage Your Kitchen
Lastly, the trophy room in every house is the kitchen. Make sure it looks large, clean and inviting.
If you keep all these key staging tips in mind, your home will view well and be more marketable than your competition.