Home staging can help you sell your house faster and for top dollar. But creating an environment with broad appeal can be challenging when you’re still living in the space. If you’re having difficulties setting the stage, try implementing these tips!
If you have children . . .
Keeping your house clutter-free can be a challenge with kids in the house. Be sure to put most of the toys in storage (especially large items, like play kitchens), and keep the rest out of sight when showing your home. You’ll also want to clear kid’s drawings and artwork from refrigerators and walls.
Since not all home buyers have children of their own, it’s a good idea to makeover children’s spaces. Convert the playroom into a simple space that buyers can picture their own belongings in. And make children’s bedrooms more universally appealing by repainting the walls to a neutral color and removing kid-themed decor.
To make this transition easier for your kids, have them choose their favorite toys, books, and stuffed animals to keep in an easily accessible box or storage area.
If you have pets . . .
As cute, cuddly, and loveable as your pets may be, their presence should be minimized when selling your home. Remove photos of pets from the refrigerator, walls, and tabletops. Seal up doggie doors. Keep pet toys, food, and water bowls out of sight. And pack up cages, carriers, and cat trees.
Be vigilant about eradicating hair and odors. They’re a big turn off to potential buyers, and dander is a common allergen. Vacuum daily, or even twice a day if your pet sheds a lot. Use an enzyme cleaner to remove urine stains and odor. It may be a good idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned as well.
If possible, get the pets out of the house—at least during showings. Send them to a kennel or pet sitter, or ask a friend or relative to take them for a short time.
If you have small spaces . . .
You can’t easily add square footage to a home, but you do have ways of making your space appear bigger.
One strategy is to make use of light, color, and patterns. Brighter rooms look bigger and more inviting, so maximize the light as much as possible. Place mirrors strategically to reflect images and light. Incorporating lighter colors on the walls and furniture will also help open up the room.
Stripes draw the eyes in the direction they point. So you can use a striped rug to make the room seem longer, or vertical stripes on the walls to accentuate height.
Decluttering is important when staging any home, but it is paramount when spacing is at a premium. Place an emphasis on storing anything you don’t immediately need. And don’t limit it to open areas. Remove half the items from your closets to give the appearance of more storage space.
Scale furniture to fit the size of the room, and keep walking pathways open. If you can, put some furniture in storage, or rent smaller furniture while your home is on the market.
In bathrooms, open shower curtains so buyers can see all the way to the back of the tub.
Contact me at (443) 837-5645 for more tips to make your home appealing and shiny to potential buyers!
