Stage Your Home to Sell Quicker and for More Money

Staging

When it comes to selling your home, you’ve probably heard that you need to “depersonalize” it so that prospective buyers can imagine themselves living there. This is one part of staging, and it’s a vital component of getting your home ready for the market. In the eyes of the public, that property you have loved is now a commodity and needs to be presented in the best possible light. Staging is about preparing your home to be as visually and aesthetically pleasing as possible by removing any real or imagined obstacles buyers might have.

Think of the last time you visited a model home. It probably wasn’t covered from floor to ceiling with furniture, pictures, and clutter. In fact, the way that model homes are staged follows the old standby: “less is more.” Fewer items in the home make it look larger, and that extra space allows prospective buyers to visualize how their personal items will look in the space.

It definitely is true that you only have one opportunity to make a first impression. And that first impression can have a major impact on buyers. Did you know that most prospective buyers will make a decision about your home within ten seconds of walking through the front door? Taking that perspective, you need to look at your home with new eyes and see what others might see. What do they see first? What do they smell or hear? Remember that the way your house looks when it’s on the market is very different from the way it looks when you’re living in it.

As you look to put your home on the market, here are some staging tips to consider to help you sell faster and for more money:

Interior

Minimize furniture and rearrange it so that the room looks bigger and is easier to maneuver.
Pack up and remove extras, clutter, and collections, as well as unused items everywhere — including in closets and bathrooms.
Make sure all lights and switches work.
Repair or replace loose or broken knobs, locks, doors, and windows.
Clean the floors: get carpets professionally cleaned, replace worn carpeting or tiles, and polish wood floors.
Paint or touch up the walls (with neutral colors), clean windows, remove sunscreens, and update window coverings so natural light comes in and the area is bright and cheery.
Clean fireplace and hearth.
Repair any leaky faucets in bath and kitchen, and caulk any areas that need it.
Remove stains on any porcelain in bath areas: tiles, tubs, toilets, and sinks.
Fix doors that squeak or don’t open properly, remembering pantries and closets.
Repair or replace loud venting fans.
Replace worn or water-stained shower curtains and clean shower doors.
Clean out stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator and ensure they are working properly.
Consider replacing old kitchen and bath fixtures.
Clear off kitchen and bathroom countertops and remove notes and magnets from the front of the refrigerator.
Get all major mechanical items (air conditioning, hot water heater) checked and serviced and replace filters.
Remove obstacles from floors, such as toys, pet items, and extension cords.

Exterior

Keep landscaping clean: mow lawn, trim hedges and shrubs, plant flowers, and remove any weeds or dead plants.
Paint your front door and put out a new mat and a wreath.
Paint or replace mailbox and house numbers.
Make sure all exterior lights work, as well as their switches.
Repair or replace and clean screens, exterior windows, and patio doors.
Clear the front steps of the entryway of toys and clutter.
Make sure doorbell works and sounds pleasant, not obnoxious.
Check walls and fences / block walls for cracks or discoloration.
Remove oil and stains from garage floor and driveway.
Clean and organize garage (pack up and store the clutter offsite) and ensure the door opens and closes properly.
Repair or replace fence gates and latches.
Keep pool and spa clean and in working order.
Keep patio clean, neat, and uncluttered.