When done right, staging is like magic. It can help transform a cluttered house that has been on the market for weeks, into a gem receiving offers within days. And, the best part about staging is that it generally requires very little expense and can be done over the weekend – all you have to do is allocate a small amount of time to make it happen. In this article – 7 magical home staging techniques – we outline our favorite ways to get your home in selling condition. Some of these techniques are pretty self-explanatory, but we assure you, they make a huge difference.
1. Deep Clean (especially bathroom)
When we say “deep clean”, we do not mean going over the same patch of carpet twice with the vacuum. What we are really saying is: make an effort to get to those unsightly areas of your home that haven’t been acknowledged in years. Pull out all the stops and make yourself a grocery list of cleaning products and prepare for war.
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The one area that makes potential buyers cringe is the bathroom – most notably surface mold, grimy class shower doors, spotty mirrors, and hair. Clean these areas and repaint the bathroom for a dramatic change in environment. If you’re feeling really motivated, enhance the appearance of space by replacing a clunky vanity with a pedestal sink (or two).
2. Neutralize Master Bedroom
Sometimes the master bedroom can seem either too feminine or too masculine to potential buyers. This creates an overwhelming mental block in a buyers’ mind (either the man or woman), preventing them from visualizing how their stuff might fit into the room.
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Be sure to paint the master bedroom a neutral color like taupe or beige, and get rid of gender-specific objects. Ensure the bedding matches (preferably a set) and pick objects that compliment the overall look and feel of the room. Don’t go overboard; just a nice and simple approach works best.
3. Update Kitchen
A big problem with buyers is dated kitchen features. This includes dated cabinets and appliances, along with old vinyl flooring. But, there are very clever ways to improve the kitchen appearance, without burning a hole in your wallet.
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Instead of replacing kitchen cabinets, stain them. Outdated appliances? Apply stick able stainless steel to them instead. Worn vinyl flooring? Spend a little extra cash and get vinyl wood flooring. Add a contemporary tiled backsplash to an otherwise boring wall. None of these things are the real thing, but sure make a big difference when trying to make the kitchen look great. Even if you have to spend a little extra, we recommend doing so on kitchen appliances – they just make everything look better and allow the kitchen to shine.
4. Incorporate Faux Design
Sometimes, all a home needs is the appearance of having real, trendy architectural design features. Adding what appear to be multi-thousand dollar improvements to the home can make your home look contemporary and be what makes the sale.
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Some faux-design features may include adding faux wood, beams, medallions and molding to a room, taking it from boring and simple to red-hot. Of course, each home demands something different, so use your best judgment and do not go overboard – be realistic. What you think your home is and what it really is, is something you need to carefully evaluate (meaning: having wood beams in a tiny 500 sq ft apartment might not be a great idea).
5. Simplify and Store Offsite
Nothing screams cramped like a home with miscellaneous unused items lying around. Do the agent, and the buyer looking at your home a favor, and pack unused furniture and tchotchke away. The goal with simplifying is to create space for the buyer to visualize, which hopefully is what gets them excited about your home.
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Ask a friend or family member if you can temporarily store unused furniture, books, or other miscellaneous items in their garage, basement, or shed for a few weeks. If they cannot help, spend a little bit of cash for temporary storage. It is imperative that you have ONLY the essentials at home – less clutter = more space, and more space = happier potential buyers. Note: avoid storing in the homes’ storage space.
6. Eliminate Pet Odors
Want to eliminate your chances of selling a perfectly good home? Didn’t think so. Our pets are our best friends, but unpleasant odors can leave an extremely negative impression on potential buyers. Additionally, litter boxes and animal cages can really degrade the visual quality of a space, so manage those as well.
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Replace smelly carpet with new, neutral colored carpet or vinyl wood floors. Find an interesting color to paint the walls and presto – a room transformed and looking new and appealing. Place animal accessories outside, and if necessary, cover.
7. Yard Maintenance
Nothing says boring than a yard that has fallen victim to neglect. If it is spring or summer (which it is now), take some time to clean up your property and give your home some curb appeal. Nobody wants to pull up to a house and feel as though what they are seeing (if neglected) is what they’ll live in for the next 5 or more years.
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Perform home maintenance like pruning shrubs, inspecting roof, cleaning lawn, painting, and sprucing up your garden. To read the full article, visit Top 5 Spring and Summer Home Maintenance Tips.
