They say that you only have one chance to make a first impression. If that’s true, you better make a great one.
When home shoppers visit your property for the first time they are looking for the “wow” factor. They want to feel at home instantly and be able to picture themselves living in your house with their own furniture and personal belongings. To help you convince potential buyers that your home is a match made in heaven, I have prepared a list of some practical staging tips.
#1 Personal photos
Take the time to remove and put away all of your personal photos. You don’t want the buyers to be distracted during the showing trying to figure out if they went to college with you.
#2 Pets
It’s very important to let the buyers visit freely during the showing. If you have a pet, I advise you to put it in a cage or in a closed room during the visit so nobody feels disrupted.
#3 No sellers during the showing
Sellers do not need to be on-site for the visits, especially for the first showing. Buyers need to visualize themself in the space. They need to feel comfortable exchanging comments with their spouses and kids without being worried of offending the seller. It is crucial to let the buyers embrace and feel the energy of the property. It’s all about the vibe!
#4 Clean house
Keep your house clean ALL the time. Even during the holidays or if you’re out for a couple of days, your house needs to stay clean. You never know when a potential buyer will schedule a last-minute visit.
#5 Excess Furniture
As I mentioned before, it’s very important for buyers to feel free to move around the house. Rearrange the furniture to maximize floor space. You can even store away any furniture that you can live without. The standards are 36’’ of walking space (in the living room?)
#6 Plants
Don’t forget to water the plants. Prune and nurture all houseplants. This will show buyers that you take care of your house and, of course, of your plants.
#7 Paint colors
Vibrant colors look nice, but when you’re selling a property, you should opt for something more neutral. For some buyers, having to repaint bold-colored rooms means a lot of extra work and time. It might be enough to discourage them from buying your house! On the other hand, neutral colors tend to please more people. In general, these colors are more relaxing and less distracting to the eye. If you decide to go neutral on the paint, then feel free to add some vibrant accessories like pillows, vases, and flowers to brighten up the room.
#8 Area rug
If you want to have an area rug in the living room, make sure that the rug is large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and the chairs to be on it.
#9 Art
If you want buyers to really appreciate the artwork in your house, make sure that your canvases and wall decors are hanged at 62’’ above the floor. According to standards, it is the comfortable eye level for people to admire your art.
#10 Patio
Lots of sellers neglect the patio area. Don’t make the same mistake! Stage your backyard patio with nice outdoor furniture to create a great ambiance.
#11 De-clutter
Clean up and organize your pantry and your closets. Everyone loves having extra storage space. Show potential buyers that there is plenty at your house.
I hope you’ll find these tips useful. If you have any questions or if you are looking for some guidance in selling or buying a property, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Good luck!
Claudia
