So, you’ve decided it’s time to sell your home. Maybe the real estate market has been good for sellers lately, or you need a change of scenery — it doesn’t matter what brings you to this point.
You have made the decision to put your house on the market, and that means a lot of changes will be happening around your house. You will probably want to paint some rooms or update some look within your home – but one of the most important things people neglect is staging their homes properly.
If you’re going through a real estate company, they can help with choosing neutral colors and rearranging furniture, but there are also things you can do yourself to make sure buyers get a sense of how great your home really is!
1. Remove personal items that are not on display
A lot of homeowners have a tendency to want to leave their cherished family heirlooms, photos, and even toys scattered throughout the house. While it’s important to remember why buyers are coming into your home, these things can be distracting for them during an already stressful time! If you have any of these pieces around – try placing them out of sight or storing them somewhere safe so they don’t pull attention away from rooms on sale.
2. Keep color neutral
When thinking about staging your house, you will want colors to stay as neutral as possible. On real estate websites like realtor.ca, most homes listed will follow this cue and keep all walls white or very light colors. This is to accommodate the fact that real estate is all about potential – any color you choose can make or break its chances of selling fast. You will want buyers to be able to envision themselves in the homes, so it’s important not to get too attached to your paint.
3. Only keep furniture that showcases space
While removing most pieces of furniture is your goal – it isn’t always possible. If you have a piece that has sentimental value or directly showcases how spacious an area might feel, then you are good to leave it! After all, real estate agents are there for a reason – they know exactly what type of furniture should remain in order to sell your home quickly and for top dollar.
4. Keep cleaning supplies out of sight
Cleaning is a very personal thing for many people, and it usually isn’t even at the top of real estate agents to tell you how to clean your home as a whole – as long as everything is relatively tidy. However, there are certain things that don’t need to be seen by buyers who may go snooping around in your cabinets. Things like brushes, mops, and buckets should absolutely be stored somewhere where they aren’t visible until after the sale.
5. The role windows play when staging your home
One of the first things realtors think about is how many windows there are in each room. A room may seem bright and spacious, but without adequate natural light, homes can feel stuffy and stale during real estate viewings. You don’t necessarily need to skimp out on things like curtains or blinds, however, take the time to get rid of any clutter that may be blocking windows before viewings so buyers can see how much light each room gets on its own. Learn more about the role windows play when staging your home.