If you want to sell your home quickly and at the best price, it’s essential not only to impress–but wow–your potential buyers. Understanding how to stage your home effectively will make the difference between a long run on the market and a fast sale. Get started by following real estate agents’ and interior decorators’ most helpful tips. Even ensuring your living room blinds, for example, are new, clean and easy-to-use can lure in more potential buyers. The checklist below will help you take your residence from drab to fab in no time.
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Your living room is the most important space in your home. Buyers will want to imagine themselves relaxing, chatting and entertaining there–without having to do much after the sale to make it more appealing. First, decide whether your current furniture and décor are appropriate for a staged room. If you have worn couches, stained chairs or shabby area rugs, you may need to take them out and replace them with staging furniture. Staging furniture is available by rental, so search online for providers in your area.
Another strategy is to cover outdated furnishings with slipcovers. Decide whether this option or local rental choices are more affordable and convenient for your needs. The good news is, you’ll probably need less items than you have now. Only a few key pieces are necessary to make the room feel authentic yet spacious.
Next, add plenty of lighting and attractive décor. Browse discount home stores and consignment shops for floor lamps, artwork and sofa adornments that bring the room together. It’s important to choose the right items without going overboard. A few bold pillows, throw blankets and lighting options will give the space a much-needed splash of color.
Arrange each furnishing and décor piece symmetrically. Pull couches, coffee tables and chairs together in conversational groups. If you have French doors, a fireplace or an accent wall, consider focusing your furniture around this area. Be sure to clean glass and replace soot screens before you finish.
Clear everything from the top of appliances and counters. Remove magnets from the fridge, pack up dishes and throw away uneaten food as necessary. Once you’re finished, add a bowl of faux fruit or a vase of fresh flowers to one signature space, like a kitchen island. If your cabinets and drawers look outdated, repaint them or add a new hardware set. And the same goes for your kitchen blinds.
Clean under the sink, in pantries and closets–buyers will look there, too. Empty trash cans and move them to a closed area or out of the home entirely. If your kitchen doubles as your dining room, consider leaving out your best dining set along with attractive tablecloths.
Before anyone takes a look at your home, remove personal items like photos and awards. It’s also essential to replace gender-specific decorative schemes. Posters, pink paint and patterned duvets are just a few of the details that make a buyer question living in your residence. Erase doubt by transforming walls, beds and desks so they look clean and fresh. If the rooms are dim or don’t face the sun, brighten them with mirrors.
Incorporate gender-neutral colors. Remove clothes from closets, as well as game consoles, televisions and computers. If you have several bedrooms in your home, consider turning one into a home office. You can also rent staging furniture for this purpose. A wealth of possibilities increases your chances of attracting multiple interested buyers.
Scrub the floors, shower tiles and toilets in each bathroom. Replace shower curtains and towels with brand new ones. Check carefully for signs of mold on the ceilings or walls. Sanitize with bleach or call a professional if there is too much growth. Remove toothbrushes and toiletries. Swap out old soap dispensers, bath mats, decorative baskets and trash cans with affordable items from your local home store.
If your outlet covers are faded, cover them with spray paint or get new ones. Ensure there is nothing remaining in closets or under cabinets. Should you find hard water stains on your faucets, use vinegar to take them off. Clean or replace grimy shower heads. A new fixture will make water flow stronger, which appeals to buyers.
No matter how well you stage your living room or bedrooms, lackluster shades and blinds can turn potential buyers away from your home. Treatments that don’t match the outside of your house can even turn families off before they walk through the door. Invest in new, custom coverings that complement your interior and exterior.
If your spaces have an earthy, neutral feel, consider wood blinds or faux wood blinds. Roman shades will help make any room feel cozier and more opulent. Cellular and roller shades look great in white and off-white and can help spaces look brighter. On a day that you’re showing your home, keep blinds open to let natural light in. Warmth and sunlight will enhance paint colors and décor.
Once you’re done decluttering and replacing, consider hiring a maid service. While you did your part to sanitize the bathrooms and remove odors from the kitchen, a thorough vacuuming and dusting will take the look of your home to the next level.
When they’re finished, plug in air fresheners throughout your home. A laundry fresh or lavender scent are both great choices. If you don’t have time to mow the lawn and tend to the plants, appoint a landscaping service to do the job. An immaculate yard will help potential buyers fall in love before they get inside.
The buying and selling process can be time-consuming. Make your house sale simpler by staging in advance. Not only will it provide you with peace of mind, it will make your real estate agent’s job easier. While you may have to set a budget for minor switches and repairs, your investment will pay off in the return you get on your home. That money can be set aside for securing your new dream residence–or upgrading it once you close.
