14 Staging Tips That Sell
- Mariya and Art
- May 1, 2018
- 4 min read
1. Create curb appeal
The outside of your home can make or break a buyer’s decision to move forward. Potential buyers will often drive by your home before even booking an appointment to see the inside. If the driveway is dirty, lawn is overgrown, or your house is turning green on the side, chances are, buyers will turn away without a proper tour. Add some curb appeal with these tips:
Power wash siding and walkways
Fill in any cracks in the concrete
Plant flowers and fresh greenery
Mow the lawn and add fresh sod as needed
Wash front windows
Repaint or stain the porch as needed
Remove toys, bikes, and tools from the yard or driveway
If possible, park vehicles in the garage or away from the home to show off driveway space (unless you drive a Rolls Royce)
2. Make your porch inviting
Make people feel right at home the moment they walk up to your doorstep.
Add a “welcome home” sign or doormat
Add a wreath on the door or a potted plant on each side
Make sure porch furniture is neat & clean
Keep porch lights and front walk solar lights on in the evenings (some prospective buyers cruise by at night)
Remove all clutter, wind chimes, bird figurines, and other items that may be specific to your taste
3. Clear the clutter
This is a must! All clutter must go! In order for a person to envision themselves in your home, they must see a clean palette – free of knickknacks. Purge the unnecessary, store your extras in the attic, borrow your friend’s basement, or take advantage of a storage unit. It will make your house MUCH more appealing and also give you a leg up on packing. Clear:
Countertops
Surfaces (desks, nightstands, coffee tables, etc.)
Cupboards & closets (less stuff = more space in the buyer’s eyes)
Walls (photographs and unnecessary artwork)
4. Make your house “so fresh and so clean, clean”
Once you’ve gotten rid of the clutter, cleaning will be much easier! Make sure your floors, windows, baseboards, and countertops sparkle! Don’t forget to tidy up areas like the garage and basement. If it helps, hire a cleaning crew for a few hours to help you with the dirty work.
5. Add a little Zen
Add an earthy statement piece like a vase of fresh flowers, a bowl of colorful lemons and limes, or a basket of full of fresh market produce.
6. Style your dining room table.
If you have a dining room table, it’s important to find a middle ground between too bare and too cluttered. Consider adding a few medium size vases down the middle of the table.
7. Think about the floors
Give all your floors a thorough cleaning. If you have scratches on your hardwoods, consider using wood markers to fill in as much as possible. If you have stained carpet, consider using a professional service for steam cleaning. Neutral rugs are also an option, but keep in mind that any major issues will be revealed during inspection.
8. Choose sophisticated neutral colors
Say “adios” to the maroons, lavenders, and funky patterned rugs. Always keep in mind that your style may not be everyone’s style. You might be a fan of French country chic, but the person buying your home may prefer contemporary or traditional décor. You want someone to be able to envision themselves in your home. The best way to accomplish this is through a neutral palette. While taupe was pretty popular a few years ago, light grays are growing in popularity among new construction, hence, making your home appear “newer”.
9. Create a gender-neutral master bedroom
The master bedroom will likely be the most important bedroom for the buyer. Here are a few quick tips for the master bedroom:
Make it gender-neutral
Remove all clutter
Keep artwork to a minimum
Feature crisp linens
Make ceilings appear taller by raising your curtain rods several inches (be sure your curtains are long enough to still touch the floor for the optimal look)
Fold a blanket at the foot of the bed
10. Open those closets
This is the fun part. Despite what you may think, buyers don’t care that you have the same pair of shoes in every color. Making at least 25% of your closet unoccupied will show buyers how much extra room there is. If your closet is overflowing with clothes, the space will appear crammed and therefore smaller.
A few extra tips:
Box up or give away as much as possible before showings
If possible, make sure all your hangers are facing the same way. If the hangers are the same style/color, even better!
Sorting your closet by color will also make your space appear more clean and organized
11. Use "extra" rooms wisely
Each room should have a purpose. If you have an extra room, the last thing you want buyers to see is a “junk room”. Consider adding just a few pieces to it to make the room feel like an office, kid’s playroom or media room. If you have awkward areas in your home, think about creating small work stations, command centers with bulletin boards, or some shelving. That “awkward” area can quickly become a selling feature!
12. Use only perfect personal accents
Colorful robes? Old bars of soap? Half-burned candles? Razors? I think not! Pretend your home is a 5-star hotel, a place for Zen and relaxation. Feature only the personal accents that will make your house appeal to a visitor’s eye, especially in the bathroom. A fluffy white bathrobe, a large new candle, a clean white towel over the tub, you get the picture.
One of my favorite ideas is to fill a large, clear canister with bath salts and set it near the tub.
13. Beware of odors
This one is huge! If you have pets, all smells must be gone. Hide the toys, doggie bones, and even pet bowls during scheduled tours. Oddly enough, not all visitors are animal lovers (say what!?) and some would prefer to move into a home that has never had pets. Spray some Febreze on your fabrics, steam your carpets, and use light air fresheners that won’t overpower the home.
14. Think outside of your 4 walls
Does your neighborhood have a great pool or seating area? Are you in an awesome school system? Are there top-rated restaurants nearby? Think of different ways to play up positive features about your community and the outdoors, not just your home. Your realtor should create brochures for visitors that describe many of the neighborhood and community amenities.
