Putting a little bit of sweat equity into your home upfront is never a bad idea. However, when misplaced, it can simply be a waste of time. We help out our clients by directing that effort into all the right areas, so they can maximize the potential value of their home!
First things first: first impressions. There are many times that the curb appeal of a home can make or break the sale. Any potential buyers that view your home will immediately judge if the house is worth exploring by the front. Even if you have a completely newly renovated interior, if the exterior is not up to par, buyers may not be interested in touring at all. Don’t make this mistake! If your paint is chipped, repaint it. Powerwash your driveway, wash your windows and replace any dead grass- anything to freshen up the place. Additionally, consider having your front lawn lightly landscaped before putting your house on the market, fresh flowers and greenery are a crowd-pleaser.
People want a home to feel ‘homey, and nothing says that quite like a front porch. If your home has a porch of any kind, be sure it is decorated. Furnish it with some rocking chairs, a few potted plants, and a welcoming doormat. Make SURE to dust your front porch! Areas that don’t receive a lot of daily traffic may need a little bit of extra love and care. A great tip is to leave your porch lights on during the evenings so that your home is visible to any potential buyers that may drive by.
As we move inside, we want to start with a clean slate. This means doing a deep clean of the whole house. Dust and dirt of any kind on the baseboards or shelving will only scare buyers away. You want everything from your floors to your countertops to shine! Don’t underestimate the importance of this step. If you have a large house or you feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to call in the pros for some help in getting the job done. It’s at this stage that you would do any renovations needed. This may include replacing worn-out appliances or refinishing floors. Next, take a look at your walls. Depending on who we are marketing your home to, it may be wise to re-paint any unconventional colors, and replace them with neutral tones.
Now, it’s time to get rid of that clutter we talked about. Before starting to decorate your home for staging, it’s recommended that you go through your house and begin to declutter your belongings. Even if this requires moving some items into storage, making sure you have minimal decoration and items on display in your home is essential. You want it to feel open and airy. If you have a lot of large, clunky appliances out on your kitchen counter, it makes space appear smaller to buyers.
Finally, it comes time to actually stage your home. While you want to make your home look stylish and beautiful, it also needs to feel lived in. To achieve this, add in some homey touches like fresh-cut flowers, lighting a candle or two, or setting out a bowl of fruit or cookies when preparing for open houses. If you need help in the styling process, there are plenty of great inspiration photos on Pinterest to get you started and give you an idea of how to arrange and style your home! Additionally, look at some of the listings on the Properties tab of our website as examples of what staged homes typically look like. Just remember, less is more. You want the home to speak for itself!