Selling your real estate property quick and for the highest possible price is a science mastered by most real estate agents. They will walk you through the best way to stage your property so that it has the most impact.
Love at first sight starts, well... with sight. When your real estate property is appealing to prospect buyers, it will be harder for them to dismiss it quickly from their options.
“Do you have a few touch-ups in mind? Your real estate agent can advise you on how to present your real estate property - there are simple details that will make everyone fall for your property.”
The median amount spent on home staging, according to NAR's 2019 Profile of Home Staging Report is $400.
So what are the tips that real estate agents give sellers:
1/ Clean
The best way to show potential buyers that you have taken good care of your real estate property is to give your house a deep cleaning. Think detailing, just like for a car. Every little corner should be thoroughly cleaned from floors to ceilings; do not forget the walls too.
If you do not replace your appliances with new ones, make sure they are spotless and look new. Don't forget the little places everyone forgets to clean but that make a different for the prospect buyers like behind the toilet, the dirt around the light switch, the electric cables from appliances...
2/ Declutter
The main advantage of taking away, either in boxes or by giving away, things that clutter your property is that your house will look much more spacious and space is something people are willing to pay for.
Think of taking away your knickknacks, seasonal clothes, clothes that no longer fit, kids games, messy hobbies equipment, ...
3/ Depersonalize
You should help prospect buyers envision themselves in your home by removing all personal touches like the family photos, keepsakes, and refrigerator art.
Put your clothes away as much as possible, and make sure the bathroom counters are similar to those in design magazines with only hand soap, a cute towels there.
If you are not sure how much to take away, just go through decoration magazines and imitate what you see.
4/ Freshen up the place and atmosphere
Dead or bad looking plants are not a great idea. Replace them with brand new, fresh plants. This will make your property look cozier and inviting.
Make sure there is no smell, such as pet odors or trash smell, as it reflects poorly on the property.
If you smoke make sure to start smoking outdoors as you plan to sell your house.
A few vanilla-smelling candles throughout the house, do not over do it, will be a great addition and if you feel up for it, cookies in the oven are even better as you get this wonderful smell plus a little treat to offer potential buyers.
5/ Stage every room in the house
Most people have a hard time imagining what a space can look like when optimized or used. So never leave a space such as a room, an alcove, a breakfast nook, an attic ... unused. Declutter the space and turn it into a playroom, a guest room or anything that comes to your mind.
6/ Freshen up your walls
Putting a fresh coat of paint goes a long way. If you have wallpapers around the property and they look oldish, replacing them with new ones or taking them away and painting the room instead is a great idea.
If you have colors in your home that are quite original like an orange-painted wall or a flashy wallpaper, there are high chances that a potential buyer will not like them. Always try to have neutral colors everywhere. Make sure to not paint on top of wallpaper as it doesn't look good and will reflect poorly on your property.
If you do need to repaint, staying clear of white is a good idea. Choose instead warm, neutral colors.
7/ Fix or repair cracks
If your walls or ceilings have cracks and they are only cosmetic issues, fix them. Cracks can worry a prospect buyer. They are often the tell-tale of structural issues.
If they are foundation issues in your property, you must repair them or let the prospect buyer know about them. In terms of speeding up the sale of your real estate property or obtain the highest price for it, repairing issues is always the best choice.
8/ Make your flooring look good
Stained carpets and dirty floorings reflect poorly on your property and show a lack of upkeep. It can make the potential buyer think that they are bigger issues with your property if a simple carpet or flooring is not replaced. Whenever financially possible, replace or clean the carpets and update floorings that are oldish too.
9/ Let there be light!
A well-lit home makes it look more spacious and warmer. So wherever possible, make sure to open the curtains, blinds and let the natural light come into your place. When the natural light is not enough, make sure to turn on the lights.
If your fixtures are outdated or broken, replace them. There are many affordable options at your hardware stores or online. Always replace broken bulbs and dust your nice lamps, especially on top of them. Clean thoroughly your ceiling fans too.
10/ Use adequate furniture
Make sure that all your furniture is clean, inviting and the right size for the room. A piece of furniture that is too big will make your room feel small and one that is too small will make your room feel cold.
If you feel your furniture is outdated or not the right one, you can consider renting furniture to redo at least the main rooms like the living room and dining room. A couple of decorative objects like a center piece for your dining table or pillows for your sofa will make your room more inviting and polished.
11/ Generate interest with the exterior of your property
The exterior and entrance of your home should create interest in your place. A well-groomed lawn and nice greenery will entice potential buyers to enter your home. It sends the initial signal that your property is kept up and worth investing in. People do judge a book by its cover.
A fresh coat of paint might be good but if necessary and you cannot afford it, power wash can do miracles if the paint is in good shape.
Make sure the trash is put away neatly, that the walkway is clean and free of clutter. New doormats to all entrances are a must.
If you have a garden and pool, make sure they are beautiful and clean too. You can also have a little nook with inviting garden furniture.
12/ Make your place feel homey
Right before your open house or a showing, add fresh flowers, a couple of lit candles with a vanilla smell to make your property feel warmer and more inviting. Baking cookies can also be a great way to make prospect buyers feel at home and it is a nice touch to offer water and cookies. Make sure to stay clear of nutty ones as some people have allergies.
In conclusion
Staging is worth the effort but do not overdo it by overspending on it. Make sure the best features of your house stand out and make your place appealing to the widest audience as the more people like it and make a purchase offer, the higher the selling price you will get for it.