How to Stage your Home for Sale

Stage your Home to Sell for Top Dollar

As a homeowner, it’s highly valuable for you to understand how to stage your home for sale. According to the National Association of Realtors, 82% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for their buyers to visualize the property as a future home.’ That feedback translates to a quicker sale and higher sales price because the buyer can see more value. Not only will the home’s appearance affect a buyer’s impression in person, but also online. If your potential buyer looks online to see clutter, outdated decor, or a baren home, they could be immediately turned off from even coming to see it in person.

How to Stage your Home for Sale

Personal Belongings

In order to allow a potential buyer to visualize living in your home, you’ll have to put away personal items, clean your home, and furnish your home with modern decor. In other words, start by putting away all pictures, toiletries, hygiene products, and knick-knacks. Clearing off your counter spaces and walls is the first step to removing the unconscious ‘claim’ over your territory. It’s a basic psychological principle for anyone viewing your home. They need to be able to picture their personal belongings in the home. For example, where they could put their pictures and statement pieces. The best part is, that following this tip is completely free!

Cleaning

Next, you’ll want to do a thorough cleaning of your home. After all personal items have been concealed, it’s time to make your space look brand new. This goes along with the first tip quite nicely because, once again, you’ll want to remove the appearance of the space being already occupied. Plus, it’s just plain gross to see someone else’s hair, crumbs, and what have you. I’m sure you get the picture. So, clean the floors and counter spaces, dust everything off, and even open up your cabinets to clean inside! Yes, potential buyers will be poking around quite a bit. Bonus tip, open all the curtains to clean glass windows and doors as well. Essentially, the purpose is to brighten up the space with natural lighting. Once you finish, the space will have an inviting appeal with a fresh scent.

Styling

When it comes to styling the home, not having furniture, or having outdated aesthetics can turn a buyer off. First of all, did you know rooms with nothing in them actually appear smaller, especially in pictures? Before a buyer comes for an in-person visit, they’ll likely check out the pictures online, first.  Not having furniture has two negative consequences. One, they’ll have no idea how much furniture they can fit in the space unless they have superb spacial intelligence. Two, it will bore them because most people need some sort of inspiration when visualizing a new space.

Second of all, keep furniture, decorations, and colors as neutral as possible. The reason is that you want to appeal to the widest variety of homeowners possible. Nothing against your style, but your personal preferences need to take the backseat. While you may adore your old-fashioned paintings, someone else will likely not. Eccentric artwork and statement pieces, simply, will not do. Choose colors and patterns that are neutral to broaden the attractiveness. Everyone has their own specific taste, of course. However, most people have nothing against neutral decor and a modern touch. You don’t really need a big budget, either. Even changing out your old dark curtains with some bright white ones can go a long way. While most owners do not want to go as far as re-painting their homes or hiring a staging company, it is likely they will get that money back through perceived increased value. Bonus tip, the most important areas to stage are the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.

Choose an Agent with Staging Experience

A Realtor-and-Stager-in-One

Now that you know how to stage your home for sale, let’s move on to who can help you. The right realtor will be able to offer staging assistance, host your open houses, and provide you with marketing materials. This is where I come in! I have tons of experience from staging dozens of listings. Personally, I’ve even flipped and staged my own investment properties. Whether it comes from being a painter or my days in CAD drafting, I certainly have an artistic eye for interior design. I give design-to-sell staging tips to all my sellers. Plus, I have a collection of my own staging materials I offer to my listings at no additional cost. Literature provided by the National Association of Realtors research staff states that a staging service costs $1,500, on average. That’s right, staging doesn’t have to be costly if you choose the right agent.

Open Houses and Showings

The last key to showing off your home is marketing. Marketing includes everything from signs and online presence, to photography and printed materials. My listing package covers everything you need at no cost. Not only will I hire a professional photographer for you, but I will also select the best photos to print flyers. Flyers are an important tool to leave at your listing so buyers can take it home and remember your listing later. Remember that they are likely looking at dozens of other properties. Let’s make yours memorable. In addition, your listing will be on all major search engines and websites where buyers are looking. As your Maryland resource, I provide only the best for my clients.