Some chefs say the first taste of a meal is with our eyes. Staging is a buyer’s first “taste” of your home. And just like a perfectly prepared meal that keeps you coming back for more, attention to details can make your home stand out and have Buyer’s crave your property for good! Steps to getting your house ready to sell include the following:
1. Get it Clean
Deep cleaning your home gives the Buyer a feeling of pride and lets them know you care enough to make things perfect for them. Carpets & tile should be cleaned. Go down the list to clean behind appliances, ledges, corners and all windows. Dust high & low, ceiling fans, blinds and shelves. Pressure wash drive way & walk ways, paint garage floor and touch up baseboards & doors. If you don’t have the time, Jenn has professional cleaners and maintenance personal at reasonable prices.
2. Make it Light
Light it Up! When the home is shown EVERY light in the house should be on and drapes open. If you have a room that naturally is dark buy a lamp or install overhead lighting. Place a mirror on the wall opposite of a window. Cut back bushes around windows and lanai. Kitchens and baths should be bright so if you have a dark theme lighten it up by removing some dark pieces and adding in light towels or rug. It’s fine to use candles but as a fire safety always exercise caution.
3. Decorating is Not Staging
Many homeowners decorate to match their personalities. However what is wonderful for one person may be a nightmare for another. And if a Buyer cannot look past the colors, style or design they may just move on without taking too much notice of anything else. You want to appeal to the largest number of people. Less is more and neutral colors are your friend.
4. Go for the Model Home Look
Set the table as if a fancy dinner is about to begin. Have the linens perfectly folded, beds made, pillows fluffed, plants on the lanai. There is a reason there is very high success rate for a new builder to keep a buyer once they step foot into the “Model Center”. It’s like home heaven. Life isn’t made to live in a model but if this is all done right you won’t need to do it for long.
5. Declutter
Remove excess furniture, accessories and personal photos. Take the excess furniture to mini-storage or donate it to local charities. Jenn can assist with that. Remove trophies and sports paraphernalia. You want to convey warmth and coziness without your “personality.” Pack up the kids toys and place them in the closets.
6. Be Appropriate
For years, real estate professionals suggested to paint homes all beige. A great home stager can work wonders with dramatic accent walls. Owners should be careful if they are not trained in staging skills because bad choices can ruin the effect. Accessories should be used to give the house an updated look. Remove furniture and paintings over 10 years old unless they are true antiques. A computer station in the dining room simply may not feel right to a buyer, so relocate it.
7. Make it Smell Good and Sound Pleasant
We all know the trick of freshly baked cookies, right? It makes people melt right along with the chocolate. But candles and aroma plug-ins work just as good. Clean and fresh odors are highly favored. Set the stage with light jazz or soft music playing in the background.
8. The Best Staged Home is an Empty One
When the Buyer’s walk through the door they should be greeted with all lights on, soft background music, a clean & fragrant aroma and no jumping animals or babies. As an owner you do not want to trail behind like a stalker. It is best for the owner to leave and take the dogs. Let the buyers have emotional possession. Let them ask questions amongst themselves, take it all in and imagine making your home their new home.