Staging Your Home for Maximum Results
National Association of Realtors findings show that staged homes sell 50 percent faster than non-staged homes, and The Wall Street Journal has reported that "staging speeds up sales in a sluggish market and can bump up prices from two percent to ten percent in a moderate market..."
It starts at the curb…
- Paint. Your home may not need a complete repainting. Consider painting only the trim and perhaps the front door and shutters to give your home a fresh look at minimal cost.
- Landscaping. At a minimum, a freshly mowed lawn and neatly trimmed bushes provide a well-kept look for your home. Simple planters with colorful plants add a welcoming accent to a front porch. Be sure that walkways, porches and decks are swept, trash containers and hoses are tucked away out of sight, and toys and junk cleared.
- Added Touches. You should consider removing special lawn ornaments or any other item that might limit the number of prospective buyers who might envision living in your home.
Staging your home for maximum appeal…
Get Rid of Clutter. This is the first and most crucial step in presenting your home. A clutter-free home looks larger, looks more well-kept, and gives the viewer a clearer idea of how to redesign the space for himself or herself.
- Toss or give away everything that you do not wish to take with you.
- Store out of sight any valuables that will not be sold with the home
- Box and store (either in the garage or in a rented storage unit) any items such as personal pictures, knick knacks, family items, sports or office equipment that is not necessary for day-to-day living
Adding the Right Elements...
Once you have cleared the stage, it is now time to add some appeal!
- Rearrange the furniture. Consider how a prospective buyer might consider living in your home. There should be ample walkways, cozy seating arrangements, neat office areas.
- Plants or bowls of fruit. Both can add warmth and color to a table top, and plants can add visual appeal to a window ledge or barren corner. Plants and fruit should be real and should be used sparingly.
- Light. Almost any home will be enhanced by light. This means opening curtains and shades to clear, gleaming windows and turning on all the lights in the house when showing your home. Be sure that all lighting fixtures are dusted and have ample lightbulbs on hand. Updating a key lighting fixture or two might add to the appearance of an entry hall, dining room or kitchen.
- Pillows and Throws. A few pillows or a well-placed throw can add appeal or conceal blemishes in a sofa or chair and give your home a warm, inviting look.
- Artwork. Artwork can add a focal point to a bare room, but be careful…don’t overdo, don’t use overwhelming images, and don’t leave museum pieces unattended.
Homes show and sell better with furniture. If you must market your home when it is vacant, please contact a Virginia Cook, Realtors associate for alternative ways to give your home the most appeal! Effective staging creates an atmosphere…helping the prospective buyer to imagine himself or herself purchasing and living in your home.