To increase the chances of selling your home and getting the best deal in the process, you will need to put enough effort into staging your home so that potential buyers feel like they’ve found the right place for themselves. You can do this on your own or with the help of proven professionals who will provide expert advice. If, after all, you decide to tackle all the details by yourself, here is what you should have in mind.
Curb appeal is imperative
Of course, upon inspecting your home, the first thing that catches the eye is the way your curb is kept and decorated. It doesn’t matter if potential buyers are looking at your home in person or browsing through online photos; this first impression can be paramount when deciding if they should buy your house. Moreover, if they do not like the exterior, they may not even bother to inspect the interior.
So, begin staging your home in terms of exterior appeal. Take care of your yard. Mow the lawn, eliminate the weeds, remove dead branches from shrubs and trees. If you have plants, make sure they are in good shape. You can also plant some new ones that will be right for the current season and fit in well with the rest of the yard.
Also, do not only focus on the ‘green aspect’ of your yard. You shouldn’t neglect the state of your driveway, walkways, and other exterior structures. You may need to replace them if they have cracked or repair them in some other way.
House exterior
Next, think about the exterior of the house itself. Giving it a fresh coat of paint can make a difference when it comes to your home’s perceived warmth and hospitality. The same goes for the front door and the garage. The look of your garage is especially important if visitors can see it from the street. When it comes to the front door, it’s worth noting that you can even buy a completely new one if your current one is too old or not in its finest shape. The same goes for windows. Installing larger windows can increase your home’s visual appeal, and it is also one of the eco-friendly home upgrades to consider.
Staging your home: the interior
There is a lot of work to be done on the inside as well. Before we go into the details, we should explain one general rule for setting up your home for viewing. Namely, potential buyers need to be able to imagine how the house would look if they lived there. They need to picture their own lives in the space that your furniture, belongings, and decorations are currently occupying.
So, as a general rule, you should always declutter your house before the visitors arrive. Remember, they are interested in the space itself, not the way you have decorated it. There should be plenty of space for them to move freely. Moreover, as a bonus, the rooms will look bigger when some furniture is removed. If you do not have enough space to store your belongings and your furniture, you can rent a unit in a storage facility.
Preparing the interior for potential buyers
Needless to say, the house should be as clean as possible. Clean it thoroughly to make it look as good as it can. Just like with exterior fixtures, those on the inside should be well-kept and properly functioning. You should repair small holes, scratches, and other damages. You can use a foam eraser to eliminate any damage from the walls.
If necessary, you can apply a fresh coat of paint to interior walls, too. Keep in mind, though, that it is best to use white or some other, more neutral shade to prepare your home for sale. You should avoid using bold colors because potential buyers may find them unpleasant and would have to repaint the walls should they decide to buy your house.
Generally speaking, your home should appear tidy. While it is true that potential buyers are primarily interested in the space itself, an untidy house can still cost you a sale. So, make the beds, don’t have things lying around in random places, etc.
Creating a hospitable mood
Creating an atmosphere of hospitality is not necessarily connected to the actual staging, but it will undoubtedly contribute to the appeal of your home. If visitors feel pleasant while inspecting the house, a psychological effect is created where they will transfer this agreeable mood onto their impression of the home itself.
Do what you can to create a lovely mood. Let plenty of light into the house, perhaps make some cookies or offer some other treats that will make the experience more enjoyable. However, do not rely on decorations for this effect because, as we said, visitors want to imagine their own decorations in place.
Moving after selling your house
After selling your home, the troubles are not over, as you will still need to move. Unfortunately, relocating to a new home can be a time-consuming and stressful experience. From packing to shipping, there is a lot to do. This can be very tricky when you have a regular job or, perhaps, kids to take care of. Luckily, you can still have a relocation that is stress-free with reliable, professional movers on your side.
Having plenty of experience with moving, professional movers will help you every step of the way. Moreover, you can rent a storage unit at their facility, where you can store your furniture and other belongings after decluttering. Of course, just like you can fix up your house DIY style while staging your home, you can employ the same approach when moving. However, considering the advantages of hiring professional assistance, there’s no need to go through the moving process alone.
Author’s bio
Helene Waterson works as a writer and blogger, sharing her thoughts on interior design and decor. She enjoys furnishing her own home as well as helping other people find their style.
