Years ago, homeowners looking to sell didn’t have to worry about staging their home. However, with the practice becoming more commonplace, many modern-day sellers are recognizing the undeniable benefits of home staging. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, staged homes spend less time on the market—73% less than non-staged homes—and could sell for up to 17% more.
It shouldn’t be a question of if you should stage your home when preparing it for the housing market; it should be a question of how to stage it correctly.
Curb Appeal
The outside of your home is a potential buyer’s first impression, so make it a good one. Tidy up the exterior with a pressure wash, and clean out any debris from your gutters. While you’re up there, check for gutter damage that needs to be repaired.
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way. Fix up your peeling front porch, then consider repainting your front door—and shutters, if you have them—with a shade that complements and contrasts your home’s exterior.
It’s also a good idea to play up outdoor living space. They’re one of the features that can influence a buyer’s final decision, so spend a little extra time staging the porch or deck. Even if you don’t have a patio or the like, hanging up a hammock or garden swings can show the buyer your yard’s potential.
Give Unused Space a Purpose
Don’t just use spare rooms as storage—you want to show potential buyers how all the available space in your house can be used to create the perfect home. Even if it’s not used as such, stage the space as a home office, guest room, or hobby space.
In a similar fashion, don’t overlook awkwardly shaped areas. Emphasize them off with built-in shelving, a shallow closet, or a study nook.
Reduce Clutter
It’s difficult for buyers to imagine themselves in a space clogged with junk, and it should go without saying that your house should be clean before a showing. Space is a huge consideration for buyers, so clearing off countertops and decluttering shelves can help show off all the storage options.
It’s best to leave about a third of the space in a closet empty to allow the buyer to visualize their things inside. This may mean you have to keep storage boxes or clothes elsewhere during the showing, but potential buyers will look in your closets—why not show them what they want to see?
All that said, make sure your house doesn’t seem sterile. You want it to look neat but still retain its hominess. Add a vase of flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit to maintain that lived-in feel.
Focus on the Most Important Rooms
According to a 2019 study done by the National Association of Realtors, the three most important rooms to stage were the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen. Take extra care when staging these rooms; you may not even need to do any expensive upgrades, but small projects like cleaning your bedroom carpet or updating your kitchen cabinets can do wonders.
Preparing to sell your home is a busy time. When you find yourself overwhelmed, let the home staging experts at Minnesota Home Improvements ease some of the stress on your shoulders. View a gallery of our work online, or contact us for a home staging service quote.
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