Staging your home is a must if you plan to sell. If done right, staging can add thousands of dollars to the sale price of your home and ensure it sells quickly, so it’s not something that should be dismissed. Fortunately, there are ways you can prep your home without breaking the bank—including decluttering and depersonalizing—for epic photos and open houses. Here are some tips for making the process as smooth as possible.
Consult a Real Estate Agent
Whether you hire one or not, discussing your options with a real estate agent is a good idea. An agent who knows your area or neighborhood can tell you how to appeal to buyers in your local market. Plus, an agent can see your property from an outsider’s perspective—which can help you figure out how potential buyers will see it.
Declutter with Purpose
Before you start snapping photos of your home or rearranging furniture, you should declutter. Decluttering will make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Getting rid of excess items and furniture will also open up the space. Too much clutter could make your home seem cramped and chaotic.
The Simple Dollar suggests a one-weekend strategy for decluttering a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The first step is coming up with a room-by-room strategy, and the second step involves purging your home of everything you can stand to get rid of.
Decluttering can be good for you—benefits include reduced stress and improved confidence. But you’ll also have less stuff to pack when it comes time to move, and you’ll be able to keep the clutter out of your new home.
Start Packing
Since you’re moving anyway, start putting away personal items that create clutter. You might love your collections and antiques, but a potential buyer will only see your personality. When you’re selling a home, that’s a problem. Focus on making the home appealing to your ideal buyer.
Similarly, when snapping photos or hosting an open house, make sure to tuck personal items out of sight. The bathroom, for example, should be clear of all personal care products—including shampoo and soap in the shower. This way, buyers can imagine where they’ll put their personal belongings, instead of only seeing yours.
Focus on Key Rooms
According to the National Association of Realtors, the living room is the focal point of staging. If you have a small budget for staging, zero in on the living room first. Adjust your window treatments for optimal natural light, arrange your furniture to show off the space, and invest in furniture cleaning services to ensure nothing looks dingy.
Additional steps in the master bedroom, kitchen, and bathrooms can also help your sale. Clean thoroughly, stick to a warm but not overly personal atmosphere (like hotels provide), and then move on to the outdoors.
Invest in (Cheap) Curb Appeal
According to experts, curb appeal is still a massive part of the home sales equation today. Because most home buyers start their search online, the photos of your house are more crucial than ever.
To make an excellent first impression on buyers, you can take inexpensive steps to spruce up the exterior. Power wash any sidewalks and the driveway, repaint the front door, repair the mailbox, and mow the lawn. These affordable measures can do wonders for your home’s online presence.
Make Photos a Priority
Because at least 80 percent of real estate shoppers look online for available properties, photos are crucial. If possible, use (or invest in) a high-quality camera for shots of your home. Once you stage the area, observe to determine when the best lighting is present. Take advantage of natural light over the camera’s flash—and don’t be afraid of taking photos at different times during the day.
Because it costs at least $300 to consult a professional stager, you’re better off going the DIY route. Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t stage your house for selling with these simple tips. When you’re ready to enter the housing market, partner with the professionals at American West Realty & Management. Call 307.587.9608 for trustworthy guidance every step of the way.
Photo via Pixabay
