Staging a home is all about getting prospective buyers to love what they see so much that they are willing to buy and won’t be too determined to haggle over the price. A lot of time, effort and money can go into staging effectively. It would be a shame to sabotage your sale by overlooking important areas.
Here are a few places to beware of.
The Entryway
This is your first chance to make a good impression. It should be clean, well-lit and immaculate.
Closets
Be sure your front closet for coats, umbrellas and so on is neat and tidy, and not crammed full. You want to impress them with its spaciousness and storage capacity. Do the same for every closet in the house.
Shelves, Drawers and Other Storage Areas
Consider getting rid of anything in your home that you have not used for two years. Having no clutter will make it easier to stage your house when the prospective buyers and property surveyor are going to look into every nook and cranny. It will also be a big step forward once you actually move. Sell, donate, throw away, or gift to someone who will really appreciate the item. Then keep everything clutter free.
Unoccupied versus Empty Homes
If you are going to move before your house is sold, don’t leave it completely empty. Stage it with just enough furniture in each room to give an idea of its purpose and functionality. Dress up anything you leave behind (such as an old sofa or chairs) with neutral-toned throws, pillows and so on. When the house sells, you can move out the items if you still want them, or donate them to charity.
Kitchen Cabinets and Shelves
These should be clean and not crowded. It can be tricky if you are still living in the house, but do your best. Consider asking the neighbors if you could use their garage or shed for must-have grocery items and paper goods such as paper towels so things don’t look too cluttered.
The Garage
If your garage looks like a bomb hit it and there is no way you can fit your car into it, now is the time to roll up your sleeves. Clear out everything and make sure the floor is clean and fresh-looking. Park your car/s inside. Then see how much room you have left for shelving, a workbench and so on. Sturdy metal shelving can be used for a range of purposes. So can plastic containers with lids. Label everything. Space saver bags are useful for storing clothes, bulky items like down comforters, and so on.
Invest in an outdoor tool shed for all your gardening items. Get rid of anything old or that you don’t need. Keep only the essentials. If you really can’t live without it, see if you can store it at the neighbors, or in commercial storage.
The Laundry Room
If your appliances are really old-looking, consider replacing them. If they are less than seven years old, consider giving them a facelift with some stainless-steel looking stick-on film. Be sure there is no mold, mildew or bad smells. Have the clothes organized in hampers and store only the essentials, such as detergent, softener and bleach.
Bookshelves
Donate any unwanted books and then store most of them. Add some attractive knick-knacks and a vase or two to brighten the room.
Remember, prospective buyers and property surveyors are not your average house visitors. They are going to dig into everything, including your closets and drawers, to make sure your home offers good value for money. Don’t cut corners. Tackle each room and area thoroughly and you should soon have a staged house that will sell well.