How to effectively stage your home
In today's buyer centered real estate market, homeowners who want or need to sell their home, are turning to staging. Staging is the art of presenting your home, so that potential buyers can not only see themselves living in the home, but are enchanted enough by your home to quickly make an offer. Studies have shown that homes that are staged correctly sell much quicker, then homes that are left empty, or ones that he homeowner just shows "as is". However, it is important to realize that there are specific steps that will make your home staging much more effective. Here are some tips to get you started-
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- Stay away from theme rooms-While you may think your beach inspired room is fun, or your child's cartoon character bedroom is enchanting, keep in mind that every buyer won't. The basic rule is less is usually more in home staging. You should keep decor simple, and definitely dismantle theme rooms. Remember that you want your potential buyer to envision what theme room they would want in your house.
- It isn't about you-In other words don't over-personalize your decor. If you know your house is going on the market in the next few years, you will want to be mindful of design choices when you remodel, or you could decrease your pool of buyers. If you have over-personalized your décor, and your home is now on the market, now is the time to scale it back as much as possible.
- Bold is not beautiful-When staging your home you should seriously consider every surface in your home, especially walls and floors. You need to think neutral. Remember that when potential buyers view your home, you don't want them considering how much time and money, it will take to paint over a blindingly yellow room or to replace purple shag carpet. Even if neutrals are not your style, now is the time to tone it down. Remember that you are trying to sell your home, not your design style.
- Clean is always better-If you need an inexpensive way to prepare your home for the market, and then start by cleaning everything. You should even rent a carpet shampooer if necessary. The small investment and resulting sweet smell is worth every penny! You want to make sure that every surface is as clean as possible. This is also a good time to get started packing and fill boxes with knickknacks and other personal items.
- First impressions are everything- If you do nothing else to prepare your house for the market, then you should tend to your yard. Rake the leaves, clean up flower beds and trim shrubs. You should also sweep your sidewalks and porches. You don't want to lose any showings, because drive-by shoppers can't get past the mess at the curb. Buyers will automatically assume that the inside of your house is a reflection of the outside. It is crucial to make sure that you don't give them a reason to keep on driving.
- Make it like new-It is important to keep in mind that even if you have overlooked needed home repairs for years, potential buyers will see every one of them. You will need to fix that cracked window pane, replace the broken doorknob, paint the fence, or whatever other small repair or upgrade you have been putting off. The bottom line is that a little sweat equity goes a long way in real estate.
- Space is your real estate so make it shine-To many homeowners are using the spaces in their home the wrong way. Bedrooms should be bedrooms, not closets or catchall rooms. Patios should be staged as relaxing outdoor spaces, and certainly not left empty or as toy storage.
