Organized and clean homes catch the eyes (and wallets) of potential buyers. Of course, you are selling your home in Houston and not the contents inside it. However, a well-staged home not only boosts visual appeal, but promises to buyers that you’ve stayed on top of maintenance. Below we’ve shared seven of the most effective tips to stage your home for an effortless sale.
What is Staging?
Home staging means preparing the home to be viewed by potential buyers. It refers to the final stage of preparation, after you have already cleaned and decluttered. There are three main goals to staging:
- To appeal to a high number of buyers
- To speed up the sale process
- To highlight the assets of the home
It’s not uncommon to hire a professional to stage your home. But, it’s also not necessary if you’re prepared with the proper tools and knowledge. Let’s take a look at how to stage your home in the most effective way.
1. Depersonalize the Living Space
Buying a home is one of life’s biggest purchases, and nobody is going to rush into a sale. To be certain of their decision, potential buyers need to envision their own lives in the property. If the living space is filled with your family’s photos or quirky decor, people may feel alienated from the home and subconsciously turn it down immediately. Avoid this negative effect by removing details that are too personal.
2. Keep a Neutral Color Palette
Neutral color palettes are the safest way to appeal to the largest amount of prospective buyers. When you stage your home it’s also important to keep things cohesive, and the most foolproof way of doing that is by sticking to basics. If it’s not possible for you to accomplish a neutral scheme with your existing possessions, consider home staging furniture rentals.
3. Set the Mood with Lighting
A well-lit home is a well-staged home. Open all the shades when giving tours or taking photos, and if necessary turn the lights on, even if it’s daytime. Naturally, make sure all light fixtures work properly prior to a showing.
4. Place Inviting Scents
The ultimate goal of staging is to achieve a good feeling, which is not necessarily based on looks alone. Greet potential buyers with a fresh, inviting smell the moment they step inside, and you’ll already be ahead of the game. You can stage your home by lighting candles in areas that are separate, for example the bathroom and kitchen.
5. Hang a Mirror or Two
A quick fix to a plain or empty looking space is a mirror. Not only does it increase appeal, but it makes the space look bigger and reflects natural light. It’s a win-win!
6. Play Up Assets
There’s no exact way to do this as each home is unique, but take into consideration any charming aspects of your property as you plan your staging. For example, turn a bedroom bay window into a reading nook, or set up a fire pit and some lounge chairs if you have ample space in the backyard. Use your creativity to determine what works best for your property.
7. Rearrange Furniture
When you stage your home, keep in mind liveability and flow. The easiest and most foolproof way to arrange furniture is by placing it symmetrically. Also, make sure there’s no awkward setup that blocks entryways or inhibits conversation.
Conclusion
It’s ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to hire a professional stager or tackle the project yourself. If you’re up for the challenge, take inspiration from other home listings online, and ask your real estate agent for advice or feedback. Remember to keep things neutral, airy, and bright, and you’ll sell your home in no time.
