When deciding where to live, one of the most important things people take into consideration is what it looks like. This may seem obvious; however, there are a few things that go into making a house look ready for sale. When it comes time for you to sell your house, you’ll want to do everything possible to make it look as appealing as you can to potential buyers. This includes staging the property for sale. By following these tips, you can make your home look its best and maximize your chances of a quick and profitable sale!
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Remove Any Clutter
One of the biggest problems with staging a home is clutter. If you’re moving out, chances are there’s already too much stuff in your house. It takes time to move and this means extra items that didn’t fit into boxes or other containers.
You may also fall into the trap of thinking that every item has sentimental value, which keeps you from throwing certain things away. The first step to staging your house is to clear out anything you don’t need. Sell any of the valuable items, but get rid of all of the rest. Clutter makes a room appear smaller and less clean. This is especially important in the kitchen, where clutter can also affect how attractive the appliances look.
Upgrade The Curb Appeal
It’s important to make your property look as attractive as possible from the outside. If you can, hire a gardener to ensure that the lawn and yard are cut and properly maintained. Trim any trees or bushes growing near or overhanging sidewalks or driveways where they may pose as an eyesore. Take some time to clear out the flower beds and add fresh mulch. You should also bring in a few larger, more decorative planters to add some color to the exterior of your house.
Focus On The Kitchen
Whether or not you think the kitchen is the most important room in your house, it’s probably one of the first rooms buyers will look at when touring each property. If they’re deciding between two houses that are roughly equal, otherwise, chances are good they’ll go for the one with a spacious and clean kitchen. Spend some time getting this room in tip-top shape before you attempt to sell the house. Get rid of all old food, clean the cabinets inside and out, scrub down the flooring, counters, appliances, and sink.
Get Rid Of Any Personal Items
There are a few things most people keep in their homes that may make buyers uncomfortable. This includes beloved artwork or posters with religious or political undertones, children’s drawings, family photos…the list goes on. The best solution is to simply take down anything of this nature before prospective buyers come to see your house. If you feel the need to leave a few items up, make sure they’re aesthetically pleasing and don’t send any negative messages.
Paint The Walls
A fresh coat of paint isn’t the only way to make a house look new on the inside, but it’s one of the best. Chances are your current home has some rooms that haven’t been repainted in years and others you may not have had time to touch since moving in. This provides obvious contrasts between rooms and makes the interior of your house look less cluttered and disorganized. Take some time to repaint each room that needs it, especially any bold or dark colors that may be causing the walls to look dirty or dull.
Make Small Repairs
The biggest turn-off for buyers looking at a house is when they realize there’s a lot of work to be done. It’s normal for buyers to want a house that needs some fixing up, but they won’t take one look at your home if it needs so much work that it simply wouldn’t be worth their while. Before you put your house on the market, get rid of any cracks in drywall or tile, replace old fixtures and light switches, and take care of any other small to medium problems you see.
Fluff The Bedrooms
Buyers are likely to spend some time in your bedrooms during an open house, so make sure they look as comfortable and inviting as possible. If the carpet is looking dirty or worn down, consider getting it replaced by professionals. Make sure the bedrooms are clean and tidy, without any clothes or clutter lying around. A quick dusting is also a good idea to make each room look more attractive.
Get The Carpets Professionally Cleaned
When buyers come to see your house, they will inevitably look in the rooms with carpeting. This includes the living room as well as the bedrooms. If you want to make sure potential buyers get a good impression of these areas, it’s best if they’re clean and free from stains or dirt that has built up over time.
You can easily remove most stains yourself, but it’s a good idea to get your carpets professionally steam cleaned before you put the house up for sale. Be sure to ask the cleaners if they offer any sort of guarantee in case they manage to remove some stains but leave others behind.
Rearrange Furniture
If your furniture is organized somewhat haphazardly, you may want to consider rearranging it to create the illusion of more space. Straighten up any room that looks cluttered and give each piece of furniture its own defined space. You may also want to consider putting some furniture in storage until after the sale. Of course, you can leave a few pieces so potential buyers have somewhere to sit during their visit and so they can get a feel of what rooms will look like with furniture in them.
Hire A Professional Stager
If you find yourself overwhelmed preparing your house for sale, one great way to prevent this is to hire a professional stager. These people are highly trained in how to arrange furniture, paint walls, and make any other aesthetic changes you may need.
They also have the necessary knowledge about which pieces of furniture are most desirable. For example, buyers are likely to get excited over leather sofas or classic styles that have been in fashion for decades. Depending on your needs, you may want to hire a stager based purely on their ability to stage a single room or an entire house.
Conclusion
When preparing your house for sale, it’s important to remember that buyers will likely look in every room. If you want your home to attract the right kind of attention, you’ll need to make sure each area looks as attractive and inviting as possible. The last thing you want is for buyers to look at the house and think it simply isn’t worth their time. To prevent this, follow the tips in this article and you should be well on your way to selling your house!
