Staging a home for sale doesn’t have to mean an expensive makeover or hiring in rented furniture. Some of the most effective changes cost little more than a weekend of effort, and they consistently show the difference between a property that lingers online and one that gets snapped up quickly.
Decluttering comes before cleaning
Buyers need to picture their own possessions in a space, which is difficult to do when every surface is covered with someone else’s belongings. Clear kitchen counters, remove excess furniture, and pack up personal photos and ornaments. A room that feels spacious and calm photographs and views. This is far better than one that feels lived-in and busy.
Take care of the little things
Buyers appreciate the effort, and they will notice the little things you have done. Things like a sticking door will become a major concern to a potential buyer in the first few minutes of a viewing. Before photos and viewings begin, make little repairs to remove doubt that will otherwise plant themselves in a buyer’s mind about what else might need fixing.
Let the light in
To brighten a room, open curtains and blinds fully, and clean the windows. If a room has a dim corner, add a lamp rather than leaving it in shadow.
Bright rooms make a better first impression on buyers. They also photograph better. Let’s dive into some of the changes you could make before the viewing begins.
Neutral doesn’t mean boring
You should think both warmly and coolly on the colour of your walls. You do not want to paint all of your walls a boring magnolia, but you do not want to color your walls so distracting that potential buyers cannot picture themselves in the house. A few accents that are neutral are more than enough to obtain a sense of character in the house while still remaining neutral.
Kerb appeal sets the tone before the door even opens
The outside of the house also has a large impact in the first impression of the house. A clean and tidy front yard with a simple path to the front door shows prospective buyer that the inside is clean and tidy as well. This is an easy first impression to overlook, as you have walked by this door so many times.
Rooms should say what they are
Do not leave every room empty. Staging is crucial. Do not leave an empty room as a storage space. Buyers often have a hard time valuing a space because they cannot picture any use for it. The guesswork is up to the new owners, but you can show them the potential of the room you are staging.
Photos matter as much as the viewing itself
As important as the viewing is, most buyers will judge the house based on photos.
Proper staging of a home prior to photography, use of quality natural light, and a clean and decluttered look, positively influences the number of inquiries a listing receives in its initial days online.
Planning to sell? Our team provides free valuations and practical staging tips tailored to your requirements.