Did you recently list your home for sale? If so, then you are probably anxious to find a buyer. Many people attract potential buyers with an open house. This allows people to walk through their home without added pressure. It also makes the home feel more like a model versus one that is currently being lived in – a plus for perspective buyers. However, in order to prepare for this open house, homeowners need to properly stage their home. The following 4 tips will ensure that your house is staged correctly so that is enticing to all who enter.
1 – Clean Up
First, it is important that all areas of your home are clean. Since everyone has a different understanding of cleanliness, the following suggestions are recommended to make the environment visually pleasing and clean inside:
Obviously, this list probably sounds lengthy and unnecessary. However, these little efforts make a big difference when it comes to the overall presentation of your house. For example, if a perspective buyer is inspecting the blinds, the last thing you want is for them to get dust on their fingers. Also, if they see unorganized closets, they might think your house does not function very well. If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of doing everything on this list, hire someone to help you. The little money you spend will be worth it to secure a buyer for your home.
2 – Make Your Home Inviting
Once you have removed the clutter from your environment and made it clean, you can work on the visual appearance. A well staged home should look inviting to all who enter. You want them to feel at home in your space and be able to picture themselves living there. Here are some suggestions to help you do this:
If you need some inspiration for staging your home with inviting details, you might consider walking through a few model homes. Obviously it is much easier to stage one of these homes because no one lives in the area. However, the same inviting details are what make the model so appealing. In fact, if a perspective buyer walked through the same area empty, they might have a hard time envisioning themselves living in the home. Therefore, do what you can to make the area a place that anyone would feel comfortable in.
3 – Open the Windows and Turn on the Lights
Furthermore, when it comes to staging a house, you can make a big difference by opening the windows and turning on the lights. Light makes people happy, and it also allows people to have a better perspective of your house. For example, when they see your paint and kitchen finishes in natural light, it will look a lot better than if the windows are closed and the blinds are shut. Also, make sure that you turn on all the lights in your house so that buyers will take notice of the features in your house such as ceiling fans, chandeliers, bathroom vanities, and more. If the lights are turned off, these features are much less noticeable.
4 – Stay Away
Finally, as the homeowner, stay away during the open house. A staged house looks better when it is empty and free of another family that is living in it. This allows the perspective buyer to picture how they would use the house without getting distracted. Plus, the realtor can answer any questions that these buyers may have. That is why you hired them. You will simply be in the way.
With these 4 tips, anyone who is selling their home should be able to properly stage their home for an upcoming open house or for a potential buyer who is walking through.