7 Tips for Staging your home

When selling your home, first impressions are vital to getting buyers interested.

1. Clean it up.

Nobody likes a dirty house. Before you put your house on the market, make sure it is spotless. Dust and wipe down all surfaces that are touched often, especially if they are white or shiny, like light switch covers and appliances. Have your carpets professionally cleaned or rent a shampooer and do it yourself. If you have hardwood floors, apply a high quality cleaner to restore the shine.

2. Declutter.

In order for buyers to picture themselves in your home you will have to remove anything that will distract from that. Pack up all your personal photographs and decorative items. Leave a few choice items for spaces like mantels, tables and kitchen islands. A good rule of thumb is no more than three items of varying height. For example,  place a mirror, a tall vase and figurine on your mantel.

3. Remove some of your furniture.

A room full of furniture looks smaller than it really is. Less space translates into less dollars in a buyer’s eyes. If you have a leaf in your dining rom table, take it out. If your bedroom doubles as an office, consider removing your desk before putting your home up for sale.

4. Reposition your furniture.

Each of the rooms in your house should guide the buyer from one area to the next. Create a focal point in each room on the farthest wall from the entry way to draw your buyers in. Arrange the rest of the furniture around it.  Examples of focal points are your bed, the living room fireplace, or  a great piece of art on the far wall of your dining room. Make it really clear what the room can or should be used for, you don’t want the buyer guessing.

5. Modify the color scheme.

If you have lived in your house for a while, it could probably use a coat of fresh paint on the walls. Make sure to pick neutral, warm tones that have an overall appeal. You might love that bright red accent wall, and so might some buyers, however, the overwhelming majority will appreciate a neutral canvas to imagine themselves in. Replace that bright red wall with vibrant and colorful accents.  Decorative pillows, throws and other accents will make the room look interesting and warm without being loud. Replace all light bulbs with the highest wattage that they can handle to give the house a brighter feel.

6. Set the stage.

When a buyer views your home, you want them to imagine that they live there. You want your home to look like a set of a TV show, basically. Strategically place a few magazines on the coffee table, set the dining room table as if you are having guests over, stack the fireplace with logs. You want it to look like someone lives here ( an anonymous person)— They just stepped out for a moment. If you have heavy curtains, replace them or tie them back in a decorative way to let in more light.

Spruce up your bathrooms by adding luxurious feeling accents. Little things like soaps, towels, and shower curtains when well coordinates can give your bathroom a spa like feel.  Add a subtle hint of fragrance such as a potpourri or  a reed diffuser. go for light, relaxing or refreshing scents, like lavender, citrus or fresh linen. If you have pets, make sure to clean their bedding often and use a neutralizing spray to eliminate any pet odors.

7. Curb appeal and first impressions.

Make sure your lawn is cut and trimmed before each showing. If you have a flowerbed or bushes in front of your house, make sure t looks neat. If you don’t have flowers, consider adding a large pot by the door to accent the entrance. Buy a new doormat, polish or replace your front door hardware and make sure the door is clean or freshly painted. Add a stylish wreath to take it to the next level.

For more tips, ideas and inspiration on staging your home visit these websites:

Houzz

Pinterest

Zillow digs