When you’re getting ready to sell your home, it’s easy to forget that the house tour will be a quick and informal one. Buyers can only see so much of your home in such a short time, so their first impression will be vital.
If they don’t like what they see as they come through the door, they won’t bother going on a tour and may go straight to another property.
Give your home a facelift before you put it on the market by following these tips for staging your house:
1. Tidy Up
This should go without saying, but just in case nobody told you, tidy up all your mess. When you stage your home for potential buyers, avoid any distractions, so they can see how wonderful your home really is! If people can move through the house unhampered by obstacles, they will begin to imagine themselves living there.
First, remove personal items. Some buyers may feel uneasy about the things you own, so it would be best if you can leave these with friends or family for now. If you have small children, try to keep most of their favorite toys in storage until you find an appropriate buyer who will appreciate them.
Second, clean the house top to bottom. You can even consider hiring a cleaning crew if your hectic schedule doesn’t permit you to do this yourself. Usually, the cleaner the home is, the more appealing it becomes for buyers.
2. Update the Furnishing
One of the reasons for staging is to give homebuyers an idea about what the space will be like if they move in there. Thus, even if you have no intention of including furniture pieces and other furnishings in the sale, they still need some updating.
First, look into the living room. If the couch’s design is still stuck in the 1980s, it’s time to get new upholstery. Replace the carpets if they were installed during your parents’ time. If you can afford it, buy new floorings too.
Second, think about the kitchen and the bathrooms. Nowadays, both spaces are more than just practical areas for cooking or showering. They are actually entertainment hubs! Thus, it would be helpful to upgrade them with state-of-the-art kitchen appliances, cabinets, and fixtures.
Third, pay attention to the bedrooms. Replace the old beddings with new ones, maybe something minimally designed, so it won’t look out of place in a modern house. If you have art pieces that are no longer your taste, replace them with fashionable images or paintings.
3. Improve Your Curb Appeal
Sometimes your house may look appealing on the inside, but when potential buyers are just peering through the garage door or front fence, they can’t get a good feeling about its exterior. If this is the case, consider sprucing up the outside to give them a good impression of what’s waiting for them in there.
Fix up the lawn. If you have a front lawn, make it greener and flatter by importing good soil from other parts of your property. Put in new plants too if needed.
Add fresh paint to the garage door, fence, and other exterior walls. Add some flowerpots or decorative lamps for that added touch.
By going the extra mile, prospects can see how much effort you’ve put into the house just by looking at it. It’s a small change that can have a big impact.
4. Let In Natural Light
Most buyers would not want to move into a home with dark corners and poorly lit rooms. It looks depressing even if you decorate it with beautiful furniture. In fact, researchers say that consumers will be more likely to buy a house if they feel good about it.
What you need is lots of natural light. The more windows and skylights you have, the better your rooms will look. Make sure every room has at least one window or a glass door that can be opened to let in the fresh air. Also, avoid using table lamps, so buyers can see how well they’ll be able to take advantage of natural illumination.
5. Repair Those That Need Fixing
You might have never touched some parts of your home for years. If they are in need of repairs, now is the best time to tend to them before showing off your house to prospects.
One of the areas to focus on is plumbing. Burst pipes and rusting fixtures must be fixed immediately.
Electricity is also important. Check the switches, outlets, lighting, and wiring if they are all in good condition. If you notice something alarming, call an electrician right away to help you out with replacement or repairs.
Check the flooring as well. Replace loose floorboards. If you no longer want hardwood floors, install new vinyl, laminate, or tile instead.
If the paint on your walls has started to chip off and look dull with age, consider repainting them with trendy colors. Buyers will most likely gravitate toward houses with fresh coats of paint.
Whenever you decide to put up your home for sale, remember that it requires a lot of work. However, when done right, all efforts are worth it. You can sell your home fast at a price you’ll be happy to accept.
