The goal of home staging is to create a neutral space that potential buyers can imagine as theirs. Great staging affords optimal photo opportunities which is critical in our digital age. Simple steps like tidying, removing personal items, and displaying fresh flowers go a long way in creating a positive impression of your home. With fresh eyes, look at your home both inside and out. Start making a list of the fixes and refreshes that will elevate its look.
Start from the Outside
Does your home look inviting? If you were a buyer, would you be excited about going through the front door? From their first glance, buyers begin making mental notes about your home.
Consider your front door as the first opportunity to win them over. Make sure the door has a fresh coat of paint and a new welcome mat. If it’s winter, make sure your driveway and walkways are clear of snow and ice. The same goes for raking leaves in the fall. Beyond being a good rule of thumb, these steps let buyers know that you have taken good care of your home. Additional touches, such as fresh pumpkins in the fall, an evergreen wreath in winter, or planters with some seasonal flowers in the spring and summer are welcome additions.
Moving Inside
It’s important that a buyer’s first impression of the interior of your home – where the living happens – is a positive one.
What is the first thing your buyers see when they open your front door? Is your home inviting? When you know your home is going to be shown, open all the draperies, turn on all the lights, and make sure your floors are clean. Don’t leave your house without making sure it is in “show-perfect” condition. You want your home to feel like a haven to anyone entering. The ideal buyer may arrive just a few minutes after you walk out the door.
Staging your home allows the buyer’s agent to present your home to its full potential. A real estate professional is more likely to take the time to thoughtfully show your space as a result of your attention to detail.
