As you prepare to sell your home, are you thinking about how to stage it to ensure it is universally desirable to your prospective buyers?
Human beings are wired to have an emotional response to physical surroundings. There is a lot to be said for the ancient Chinese philosophical system of Feng Shui which makes a study of arranging environments to create or reinforce harmony and comfort. Even colours have a measurable effect on psychology, leading to that moment a buyer walks into your home and says, “It feels just right”!
A professional stager can help you feature your home in a way that can add thousands of dollars to your asking price, but I understand if you are a reluctant or a bit suspicious of the hoodoo of home staging.
If you feel you can do a good job staging your home on your own, I recommend these five simple staging ideas:
Remember Personality Doesn’t Sell
This is almost always the biggest mistake home sellers make, so if nothing else in today’s blog makes an impression, please understand this: The personal touches you love in your home are all about you and may not be universally appreciated. Please do not fool yourself with the notion that your beloved home will sell itself, or try to model your home’s “personality”. I’m being tongue-in-cheek, but that high-resolution image of your regiment of garden gnomes should never be included in your listing!
Corral the clutter
The coveted rock collection and family photos are distracting clutter that takes the buyers attention away from the flow of the rooms, and any interesting architectural features. For the cost of a roll of tape, boxes and possibly renting a small storage space, get your treasures pre-packed. Doing so will depersonalize the space and automatically increase the perceived dimensions of your home. Prepacking is also a simple step towards emotionally preparing for your inevitable move.
White it out
Are you prepared to paint? Fabulous! You can’t go wrong with white or bright neutral palate. Hotels are well known for using white to demonstrate how clean everything is.
A simple coat of white or neutral paint elevates the perceived value of the property and creates a “move-in-ready” feel that buyers are willing to pay top dollar for. White signifies clean, fresh, and new.
Light it up
Electricity isn’t free, but since you will be turning on the lights for photographs and showings anyway, I suggest you go the extra step by adding accent lights to really set the scene. It’s simple to place them strategically to add drama and to illuminate shadowy corners.
Completely retracting blinds or removing window coverings will let in as much as fifty percent more natural light.
A clear window will enhance the view, and create that sense of openness and space, so pack away any curtains or window-hangings, especially those dated ones, and let the window frame be the highlight.
Mow and Mulch
In addition to a freshly moved lawn, mulch adds instant curb appeal. Mulch is inexpensive, comes in a variety of lovely shades and textures, and adds cultivated freshness to scraggly, dry, or unkempt garden beds. Ordered by the load or purchased in bags, mulch is lightweight and perfect for a DIY, last minute staging.
Conclusion
These five simple staging tasks will show off your home’s very best features, add both real and perceived value, and maximize returns for you!
