images-3Staging

Staging – When listing their home my clients want to know: “How soon do you think my home will sell and for how much?” This depends on how open the owner is to staging their home and making the suggested repairs and updates needed for a quick sell.

After years of helping clients sell their homes I’ve gathered together a list of what I believe are the most important staging strategies to sell a home fast and at the highest price.

  1. De-Clutter Inside & Out

It’s a proven fact that buyers generally decide whether they will buy a home in the first eight seconds upon arrival. The most important thing you can do to prepare your home for a quick sale is to get rid of clutter, both inside and out and staging is the way to go.

– Outside- take away empty pots, remove dead plants and shrubs, and take down decorative flags, statuary and holiday lighting and decorations.

– Inside- one of the major contributors to a cluttered and cramped look is having too much furniture. Take a hard look at what you have and ask yourself what you can live without.

– Reposition sofas and chairs into cozy conversational groups, and place pieces so traffic flow in a room is obvious. This will not only make the space more user-friendly, it will also open up the room and make it seem larger. An over packed living room is a red flag to buyers that your home lacks storage space.

Staging Home Pinehurst

  1. Depersonalize Each Room

Keep in mind buyers want to imagine how their items will fit into your home. It’s easy to depersonalize your home by taking these steps.

– Clear out your knickknacks, family photos and other personal items.

– Clean out your closets, you’re showing off your storage space, which sells houses and always ranks high on buyers’ priority list.

– Some buyers have allergies to pets so evidence of pets can be a turnoff, so keep your critters and their toys under wraps.

Staging Home Pinehurst

  1. Clean & Bright Is Best

A clean, tidy and bright home is key. If buyers enter a dark, dirty and messy home then that’s the only thing they will see. So, make the interior of you home shine from the moment someone walks through the door.

– Clearing clutter off countertops, desks, and highly visible areas gives the house a clean and neat appearance.

– Vacuuming, dusting, and keeping floors, countertops and walls clean is very important in making a good first impression.

– Clean or replace stained carpet and rugs for a fresh look.

– Remove old wall-paper and boarders which can make a room look outdated and dingy.

– One of the things that make staged homes look so warm and welcoming is great lighting. Make sure that all light bulbs are in working order and rooms are properly lit.

– Opening up blinds, drapes, and shades gives the room an appealing light and bright appearance. A sunny room feels larger and more open which always appeals to buyers.

– Make the front entry welcoming by having the door and surrounding siding, sidewalks, and front porch cleaned and clear of clutter.

  1. What A Difference Paint Can Make

One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Freshly painted rooms look clean and updated — and that spells value. Check out these tricks of the trade.

  • To make a room appear to be bigger than it is, paint it the same color as the adjacent room. If you have a small kitchen and dining room, a seamless look will make both rooms feel like one big space.
  • Make a sun porch look bigger and more inviting by painting it a pale green or blue to reflect the color of nature.
  • Another design trick: If you want to create the illusion of more space, paint the walls the same color as your drapery. It will give you a seamless and sophisticated look.
  • Painting a living room a fresh neutral color helps tone down any dated finishes in the space. The definition of neutral extends way beyond beige, from warm tans and honeys to soft blue-greens. As for bold wall colors, they have a way of reducing offers, so go with neutrals in large spaces.

Staging Home Pinehurst

  1. Invest In New Kitchen Appliances

Are your kitchen appliances outdated? Then I suggest investing in a new cooktop, stove or refrigerator. Studies show that sellers recoup every penny they spend on appliances. Keep in mind stainless steel looks great in any kitchen and will help sell your home. As mentioned above keeping these appliances clean of spills and fingerprints is important too.

Staging Home Pinehurst

  1. Bathroom Updates Give Back Big Returns

Even a small renovation to a bathroom can give back in a big way. Here are several cost-effective changes that should be considered. First consider replacing old plumbing fixtures with modern and sleek designs. Better yet consider replacing outdated vanities and sinks for an updated look. Also Lighting fixtures that brighten up the room and add a spa like feel are easy updates too. Last but not least adding a new tile floor or backsplash also can give your bath the look that buyers are searching for without breaking the bank.

  1. Finish Needed Repairs & Projects

Unfinished projects and repairs can scare off potential buyers, so finish them. Missing floorboards and large cracks in the sidewalk on the way to your front door can be a red flag. They can also cost you less to fix than buyers might deduct from the asking price. Step back and take an objective look at your home and ask yourself what do you think makes a good first impression?

Thinking of putting your home on the market but not quite sure what needs to be done to prepare your home? Even small suggested improvements, such as paint colors or furniture placement, can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of your home. I am always happy to do a preliminary walk-through so you have an idea of how much preparation it will take to get your home ready for a quick sell. Best of all if you’re in need of help in staging and repairs I have a team of experts who can make the job of preparing your home quick and easy.

Call me today at 910-528-6427 and we can get started on staging your home!

–Lin Hutaff