Staging Your Home in 6 Easy Steps

You’ve decided to sell, and your home is on the market. Now it’s time to sit back and let the offers roll in, right? Well, not quite. First, your home needs to show well to attract multiple buyers.
Any reputable real estate agent will tell you that staging (making your home look, feel, and even smell its best for potential buyers) sells. Creating a clean and welcoming space will encourage interested buyers to linger and start imagining their life in this new space. Staging also allows you to show off features of your home that set it apart from other homes on the market. Essentially, good staging will help you make as much money as possible.

So how do you do this? Easy. Just follow these 6 simple steps.

 

1. Declutter and Depersonalize

This is the time to invest in some storage and put clutter out of view. Keep visible collections, like books, organized and if you have any kids’ toys, put them away. Remove objects that may alienate buyers (i.e., religious/political items or controversial art) along with sentimental items that you might want to keep safe during showings.

2. Keep it Clean

Clearly, your home needs to be as clean as possible. Nothing turns off a buyer faster than a dirty, unkempt space. Consider hiring a cleaning service to do a thorough cleaning before showings. Make sure to clean throughout the house, as well as in the areas homebuyers will be checking most, such as the basement, kitchen, and living room.

3. Focus on Furniture Placement

The kitchen, living room, and master bedroom are the three most important rooms to most home buyers. Remove excess furniture in these spaces and keep furniture away from the walls and organized symmetrically to allow for more space. Add additional touches like throw blankets, an attractive dinner setting, magazines, and a candle or two on the coffee table.

4. Eliminate Odor

If you’re a smoker or a pet owner, this step is especially important. Be sure to air out your home before showings and if possible, consider setting out a fresh vase of flowers or some light-scented candles. Our tip: bake some cinnamon and oil on a parchment paper covered sheet pan in the oven for 8 minutes at 200°F. Your home will be smelling better than it ever has!

5. Let in Light

During your showings, let in as much natural light as possible. Open all curtains and blinds and turn on all your home’s lights. You want to create a bright, welcoming space for buyers.

6. Enhance the Exterior

The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see, so make sure your lawn is cut, trees and bushes are pruned, sidewalks are cleared, and windows are washed. Make sure walkways to and from the door of your home are clear of any obstructions, and feel free to plant flowers for an extra touch.