5 Priorities When Staging your Home for Sale

Home staging has been proven to increase both the amount of interest in your home, the time in which it sells, and the sales price. In todays world, most buyers have their first look at a house online. There they view the listing photos, and this, being their first impression helps them decide whether or not they want to view the home. Not only is staging invaluable for showings and open houses, it also helps those photos present the home in the best possible way.

Here are 5 important tips you don't want to miss!

1. Turn On the Lights!

Light it up – Make sure all lights are on! Add table and floor lamps in spaces that may be darker. Bright rooms are happy and convey positively to buyers.

2. Furniture Placement

A very important consideration is to arrange furniture in a way that welcomes conversation. When staging, move furniture off the walls whenever you can. Angle furniture towards each other and do not worry about facing a TV or a fireplace. Especially for photos, arrange the spaces so they maximize the appeal of the home. You can always move the pieces later.

3. No Empty Space

Design all your spaces. Do not leave spare rooms empty. If space is empty then a buyer may not feel its valuable or a benefit to the home. Create a study area, a spare bedroom, or bring in an extra desk and some art supplies to present a craft room! Get creative!

4. Neutral is always Best

While painting can be a simple task for many, to a buyer, it's just more work to be done and another negative. If you have a bold taste for color, that can translate into work or dollar signs for a potential buyer. By creating a fresh, neutral palette, buyers are able to picture simply moving their belongings into the area, adding an element of ease. This makes your property desireable to a wider range of buyers.

5. Repairs

Last, but certainly not least, consider any small “to do’s”, any "honey-do" lists you've put off should be at the top of your preparation list. Paint areas needing touch-up, caulking areas that may need it. Having the carpets professionally cleaned. Make the yard neat and tidy. These are a few of the things that can convey to the buyer that the home has been well cared for.

and for bonus points...

Don't forget curb appeal. You want to make them want to come in. And a first impression can't be done again!