Staging to Sell? ... Think Spring!

The promise of a fresh start makes spring an ideal time for buyers to hone in on a home... and they are! The market has seen a surge of activity with showings and contracts. If you’re thinking of selling this spring (or summer), get your property ready to sell with these 10 seasonal staging tips from professionals. And when you’re ready to sell, contact me and I’d be happy to meet with you and go over a marketing plan for your home.

- Ken Ward and the Ward Team

1. Start Spring Staging With a Spring Cleaning

Scrub your home until it sparkles -- and don’t forget the windows, says Ilaria Barion, founder of Virtual Staging. Then, get out of winter “nesting” mode and declutter, declutter, declutter until your space is light, airy and spacious. “Don’t stuff junk into closets,” she says. “You want them to be neat and organized, or potential buyers will think your home doesn’t have enough storage.”

*Click here to see our list of recommended professionals.*

2. Buff the Floors and Wash the Walls

Floors take a lot of abuse over the winter from wet boots, snow and dirt. Give your carpets a thorough cleaning, and buff worn spots on wood floors with a little polyurethane, says John McAuliffe, owner of Admiral Floors in Washington, D.C. A bucket of warm water with a few drops of mild soap and a sponge will clean off most wall marks; eliminate the tough ones with an eraser-style cleaning pad.

3. Swap Dark and Cozy for Bright and Cheery

Put away your snug winter blankets, throws and dark-colored accessories, and bring in the spring with bright shawl throws, flower-printed pillows and bright cloths for dark wood tables, says Gina Martelli, an ASID interior designer in Los Angeles. Andrew Schrage, the home expert at Money Crashers, recommends inexpensive staging items like towels and washcloths, throw pillows, candles and table settings in lavender, yellow, sage green and pale blue colors.

4. Let the Sun Shine In

Nothing says spring like sun-drenched rooms. Pull back curtains and drapes and raise blinds and shades for instant brightness. Rainy day? Turn on all the lights before a showing.

5. Ac-scent With Spring-Like Aromas

Traditional real estate advice says to bake some cookies or spritz spiced scents around the house for a “homey” smell. In spring, try a scent that evokes fresh and clean feelings. Think clean linen, sand and beach-scented candles or aromatherapy diffusers. Don’t over –do it however, you don’t want people think you’re trying to cover up a bad smell. Even a bouquet of fresh flowers on the kitchen table can give a fresh scent (and feel) to the room.

6. Bring Blooms Indoors

Botanical colors and prints in light green and yellow shades give bedrooms a spring-like, peaceful feel. Replace dark color schemes and white walls with pale yellow-green colors, or a white duvet with subtle green accents or a botanical print. Throw in a small bunch of flowers on the nightstand.

7. Clear Off the Counters

You like the convenience of the toaster, mixer, spices and coffeemaker on the counter, but to a buyer, it just looks cluttered. Stash counter items in the cupboard (if there’s no room, stick them in a box and take it with you during showings) and decorate the counter simply with a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit.

8. Don’t Forget the Front Door

You may go in and out through the garage, but buyers will enter your home through the front door. Take down the circular wreath, which may remind buyers of the holidays. Instead, hang a spring-themed welcome sign and put down a new cheery welcome mat and an umbrella stand for those spring rains.

9. ... Or the Back Door

Especially in early spring, when many backyards are still sporting bare branches and spotty grass, you want to give buyers the same cheery feeling when exiting your home as when they entered. Put containers of potted bulbs on a deck table or the back steps to add color to spaces that haven’t fully grown in, says Amy Dube, a flower bulb and gardening expert.

39W260 Preston Circle, Geneva, IL 4BR,2Ba,$393,900 MLS: 08839910

10. Invest in a Landscaper

If you plan to move out immediately, or if your schedule doesn’t allow for your constant care of the yard, hire a landscaper from spring through fall (or whenever the home sells) to keep the lawn in pristine condition for showings.

If you’re in need of a good professional to help you accomplish any of these tasks before you sell your home, click here to take a look at who we recommend! And then schedule an appointment with Ken Ward, your local real estate expert.

Contact the Ward Team anytime at www.wardteam.com, email us at kenwardteam@gmail.com or call (630) 262-WARD (9273).

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