Staging a Home

The majority of questions that I get relating to this blog deal with home staging. What people most want to know when putting their home on the market is how much staging and preparation is needed. The short answer is: a lot. As the old adage goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. You will want that first impression to count. While each home is different, here are some basic pointers:

1. Do not neglect the exterior of the home
Curb appeal matters a lot. Some buyers will not even go into the house if they do not like how the outside looks. Clean up the garden, mow the lawn, touch up the paint, and do whatever else is needed to get buyers into your house!

2. Neutral Paint Colors
I'm sure you've heard this a million times. The reason you hear it so often is because it's true. Neutral colors for the interior are important for several reasons. First, it makes rooms appear larger. Second, it gives the sense of a "blank canvas" to buyers. Finally, strong colors can potentially drive buyers away. There are always exceptions to any rule. The safest thing is to keep it simple and keep it neutral.

3. Declutter
Clutter gives buyers the idea that there is not enough storage in the house. Why else would there be personal stuff all over the place? Store stuff in appropriate locations. Remember, buyers will look in closets, basements, and attics so make sure that they are all organized. If you find that you cannot store items away easily, then don't hesitate to store excess items at a storage facility. this goes for furniture as well.

4. Focus on the Kitchen and Bathrooms
For the most part, money spent on kitchen and bathroom updates pay for themselves and then some. Homes with nicer kitchens and bathrooms sell faster and for more money. However, minor updates won't really cut it. Don't just replace the dishwasher, replace all of the appliances. If you are redoing the cabinets, make sure to get nice counter tops too. 

5. Clean, Clean, Clean
And keep on cleaning. If you want to get a sense of how neat and clean a property needs to be, stop by a local open house. Cleanliness is attractive to buyers. Filth is not. Also, a clean house gives buyers the sense that the home is well cared for. A house that is not clean gives buyers the idea that the homeowner was neglectful. If an owner does not take the time to clean, did they fail to maintain other parts of the house like the furnace or plumbing? You do not want buyers asking themselves these questions.

As I said before, these are just basic guidelines. Consult your agent for more specific advice. Realtors nowadays are quite good at giving staging advice. Some may even recommend a home-staging specialist as well. Selling a property is among the most stressful things a person will ever do. You want to make sure that you do whatever is in your power to sell the home quickly and for top dollar. If you have any questions relating to preparing a home for sale, or anything about else real estate, feel free to send an email to ryan.guilmartin@gmail.com. As always, happy house hunting!