A well staged house can make you money. According to the National Association of Realtors, 71% of agents believe that staging a house can increase it’s asking price.
While staging is not guaranteed to increase the value of a house, it is an important marketing tool that can help you compete at the right price and sell your house faster.
Helping home buyers fall in love with your property takes more than just vacuuming and wiping countertops. It’s all about updating, de-cluttering, repairing and de-personalizing your house. Below are top staging tips to consider:
First impressions are everything for buyers. This is why you need to roll out your welcome mat. Once a realtor opens the door, prospective buyers like to linger in the foyer. An enticing entrance is the key to tempt them to come in and check your home out. One of the ways to do this is by buying a new welcome mat that compliments the style of your home. If your house is modern, try to look for a modern looking mat.
You can also add a bit of greenery near the entrance. Potted plants or a flower vase is a sign that the house is well-cared for.
Mirrors mounted in strategic areas of the house can make a dark room look brighter. Even if you have a lot of lamps and great lighting, natural light goes a long way. Aside from making a room brighter, natural light bouncing off mirrors can make the room seem bigger.
Mount mirrors directly across a window to pull in more sunlight. Also, instead of buying one gigantic mirror, artfully arrange mini mirrors in various shapes and sizes to make the room brighter and spacious and to add a wow factor.
One of the reasons why realtors recommend staging a home is to make it easier for prospective home buyers to imagine themselves living in the house. One way to do this is by setting tables and bar areas. This will make the house look lively and happy. A set table and entertainment area also makes it easier for buyers to imagine eating in the dining room or entertaining guests during a party.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just put out a solid dining set, neatly pressed napkins, wine glasses and a clean table cloth.
Homeowners who have lived in a house for a number of years usually have a sizeable collection of photographs from vacations or memorabilia of favorite teams. If you want to sell your house fast, replace personal pics with artwork. Remember the goal is for buyers to envision themselves living in your house and it can be hard to do that with your family pictures everywhere.
Artworks also show up well in listings and create a focal point in a room. Modern pieces of landscapes are inexpensive or you can download travel photos and have them professionally printed for pennies at your local photo station at a pharmacy.
Most of us don’t mind hanging mismatched towels in bathrooms, but it can make your bathroom look messy. Make your bathroom look more organized and neat by using white linens. The first step is to clean your bathroom and get rid of all the clutter. Then replace everything with fresh white linens. It should be white shower curtains, bathmats and towels. This will give your bathroom a clean and spa-like atmosphere without bankrupting your wallet.
If you have a room that only serves to store your junk, repurpose it into something that can add value to your home. After cleaning it up; a simple addition such as a lamp, comfortable armchair, book case and a small table can transform a junk room into a reading room or office. If you have a basement, you can put up rubber padding or buy a cheap carpet to transform the area into a meditation area or yoga studio.
Paint rooms a fresh neutral color to help tone down any dated finishes. Off-white is neutral, but also boring. Sometimes taking a chance on a warm neutral hue can add definition and brighten a drab room. Google neutral color schemes that go beyond beige so that you can discover warm tans, honeys and soft blue grays that can help modernize and calm your rooms and living areas.
Strategic home staging can help you with get a “sold” sign in your front yard more quickly. Primping and polishing your home to make it ready for selling can help to add more dollar signs to your asking price and make your house more competitive. Consult with your real estate agent regarding home staging to make it part of your selling strategy. Alternatively, if you are looking to save on commissions and sell your house without a realtor find out How To Sell Your House Without An Agent.