Homeowners

7 Quick and Easy Tips for Staging Your Home for Sale

If you want to sell your home faster, staging your house may help. Not only will this get your home showroom ready, but it will allow potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. Learning how to do so, can make a huge difference when selling your home. Do you know the definition of staging a home? Staging a house is the process of strategically arranging furnishings and décor to make a house look its best while selling.

So, what are the 7 tips for staging a home? Let's take a closer look at the below tips that may help get your home ready to go on the market.

What are the 7 tips for staging your home for sale?

1. Get rid of clutter: One of the most important tasks when it comes to staging your home involves cleaning and decluttering. Keep in mind that a clean and empty home makes it appear larger. Get rid of any knick-knacks and intimate items from all surfaces and put them in boxes. Don't just put the boxes in closets as potential buyers will usually look in those and you'll want each closet to appear as roomy as possible. Consider putting the boxes in the garage on a shelf.

Once the clutter is removed, do a deep cleaning throughout the entire house. You'll want every room in the house to shine. Consider airing out the entire house by opening the windows. If you use air fresheners or scented candles, remember a potential buyer could be allergic to whichever scent that you choose to use. If you want to make your home smell good, consider baking some fresh chocolate chip cookies.

2. Make every room light and bright: Homebuyers typically like to see bright and light rooms, so lighting is an important part of staging a house. Open your blinds or curtains before a showing and make sure your light fixtures look engaging. If your fixtures appear to be outdated, consider replacing them. Even dusting the light bulbs and fixtures may help let more light into the room.

3. Rearrange furniture: Consider rearranging the furniture that will be used during the showing. Reposition couches, chairs, and tables so that they are away from your walls. Adding an area rug to the family room or living room will create a cozy, intimate space that will appeal to buyers.

4. Update your home's curb appeal: The exterior of the house is the first thing potential buyers see when they're looking at your house. By doing the following updates, it may help get buyers in the door to see the rest of the house. Consider doing the following:

• Power-wash your house and walkways
• Clean your windows
• Make sure your house number is easy to read from the street
• Mow the lawn
• Cut overgrown greenery
• Plant fresh and bright flowers
• Put a welcome mat and potted plants on your front stoop
• If you have a porch, include outdoor furniture

Also, consider keeping your porch lights on in the evenings, in case potential buyers drive by. You can also brighten the front walkway with solar lights if you'll be showing the house during the evening hours.

5. Make simple repairs: Home staging is a good time to make any simple repairs such as wall scratches, holes, and other scuff marks that may deter potential buyers. You may also want to do some touch-up painting if you notice areas where previously applied paint has chipped.

6. Add extra touches: Once you've finished staging your house, add some last finishing touches. Buyers love to see fresh flowers in a vase, a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter or table and even folded towels hanging in the bathrooms. If you happen to still be living in your home while trying to sell it, consider keeping the extras in a closet such as the towels, so you can grab them easily if a buyer decides to come by last minute.

7. Beware of pet odors: If you have pets, consider cleaning the rugs and carpets and be extra vigilant about vacuuming and washing the surfaces. Also, keep pet toys hidden when tours are scheduled.

Selling a home often requires hard work and patience and staging your home doesn't have to be costly if you follow these staging tips. If you're unsure of which staging tips you should make, ask your agent what specific changes you should make that will add value to your home and entice potential buyers.

Remember, by staging it yourself, you may improve the chances that a buyer will like what they see and make an offer on your place.