DIY Staging To Sell A Home Faster   

Selling a home in today’s market isn’t necessarily a walk in the park, but it’s not impossible either. To make a home move quickly or relatively quickly, owners need to make their properties stand out from others on the market. Beyond pricing and having competent representation in the market, appearances matter.

There are fairly inexpensive things homeowners can do to make their properties look and show better. Staging is a concept that can make a big difference in today’s markets. Whilst many homeowners hire decorating pros to help them stage, when money’s tight, it is possible to tackle the job personally.

To properly present an owner-occupied home to potential buyers make sure to:

• Increase the curb appeal – This isn’t easy in the wintertime, but it is important to make sure the front of a home looks neat, tidy and as attractive as possible. When spring makes itself known, consider updating landscaping if it’s needed to create a clean, orderly look.
• Remove personal effects (or keep them out of sight) – The concept of staging basically involves giving would-be buyers the ability to create illusions in their heads. The idea is to get them to “see” themselves living in a home, arranging their own possessions and settling in. With this in mind, having personal effects, such as photographs, toys, and knick knacks scattered about can wreck the illusion. Box them up and get them out of the way until you’re ready to settle into your own new home or put them in a place that’s out of sight.
• Tighten the “design” in rooms – If you’ve ever seen a model home, that’s what staging is all about. Most rooms in models do have furniture that fits a theme, but it’s well arranged and accented to keep rooms open, airy and uncluttered.
• Highlight the selling points – In rooms that are particularly impressive or have features that stand out, such as bay windows or built-in cabinets, make sure lighting works well to make the selling points stand out.
• Remember the backyard – It’s not necessary to redo a backyard to make a sale, but it does help to have it neat and orderly. Tidy up this area, as well, and consider making minor improvements if they are truly called for.

Selling a home in today’s market isn’t inconceivable. It does require having an edge, however. You can gain one by making your house stand out visually and by giving would-be buyers the illusion that they have “come home.”  Back to Blog