by: Becky Alexander

1. Curb Appeal

First impressions are EVERYTHING!  People will start critiquing a house from the moment they pull up. The outside of your home is just as important as the inside, so make sure it looks great! Cutting the grass, trimming your bushes, pressure washing, and planting fresh flowers are all great ways to increase the appeal of your home.

2. Paint

You wouldn’t believe what a fresh coat of paint can do to your interior! If you are going to paint, go neutral. Neutrals reflect light, which makes spaces look bigger. Bright and vibrant colors can be too bold for some buyers, or may not fit into their decorating plans, which can turn them away. It’s best to stick with a blank canvas and let them envision what they would do with the space!

3. Depersonalize

When buyers walk through your home, they are trying to envision living there themselves. It is best to depersonalize your house by taking down family photos and personalized items. You can replace family photos with artwork and add simple decorative items that will give the house a timeless feel.

4. Pre-pack

Buyers tend to get distracted by “stuff.” It is best to pack up and put away what you can before showings. Consider renting a storage unit to hold all your personal items during the selling process. You will be thanking yourself when it comes time to pack up and move because you’ve already got a head start!

5. Clean!

No one wants to walk through a dirty house. Deep clean or hire a professional cleaning service before showings start. Your home should sparkle (especially the kitchen and bathrooms)!  Don’t forget to put fresh towels and bedding out before buyers’ arrival. 

6. Storage

One of the most important things buyers are looking for is storage space! Highlight the storage spaces that you have. People think, “Oh they won’t look in my closet”–but, they will!  Go through each storage area/closet and pack up things you may not need right now. Then organize and tidy up what is left, making sure to keep things off of the floor. A well-organized house shows best!

7. Lighting

Lighting is key! Setting aside a small budget to make repairs/upgrades to your lighting is a good idea. For pictures and the days of showings, pull back the curtains and open the blinds. Let all the beautiful natural light in! To enhance the lighting during evening showings, make sure all of your lights (overhead and lamps) are on. It truly can transform and update the look of your home!

8. Rearrange Furniture

If you have too much furniture in a room, it can make the space feel cramped and uninviting. Take some time to rearrange your furniture to create an open floor plan that is both welcoming and comfortable. Try to create a flow in the space that allows buyers to move from one room to another easily. Play around with different staging, and pick a layout that enhances your home the most. 

9. Listen

When everything is quiet, take time to walk around the house and listen for any noises.  Do you hear any odd noises? Is the toilet running? Is the faucet dripping? If you hear any noises, there is likely a leak. It’s best to investigate the sounds and fix them. 

10. Smell

Buyers are using more than just their eyes when touring your home. You want to make sure your house not only looks nice, but smells nice too! After being out of the house for a while, come back inside and focus on the smell. Try to identify any foul odors, especially from pets. Lighting a candle or plugging in a freshener will do the trick!

Pro tip: Don’t forget to take out your trash before showings!

Looking to Sell Your Home?

If you’re ready to sell your home, it’s important that it looks its best. You can maximize the space with these 10 tips and stage your home like a pro! Need help staging your home? At Inhabit Real Estate, we specialize in staging services to ensure your home and its features stand out from the competition. Our experienced realtors can help you hone in on any potential problems with your home staging, and make sure that the marketing of your house is as effective as possible. We can also provide guidance on how to get the most out of your sale price, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help! Visit our website today for more information and get connected with one of our experienced agents! 

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