Thinking of listing your home this spring? Now is the time to start preparing to go to market! If your home is not going to be vacant, you may be wondering how you can get your space into tip-top shape and ready for prospective buyers. According to the 2021 Profile of Home Staging, a report from the National Association of REALTORS®, 82% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home. The goal in staging is to sell your home as quickly as possible and at your desired listing price, however, home staging doesn't have to be a time-consuming, stressful, expensive process—especially if your house is already in good overall condition. Ready to get started? Here are 5 DIY tricks for styling and upgrading your home to help get it looking fabulous and sold FAST!
- De-personalize & De-Clutter
Staging a home can help to create a more emotional purchase for the buyer. It’s important that prospective buyers be able to envision themselves living in your home, therefore, decluttering and removing some personal items is an essential step in staging your home. Remove bulky, unneeded furniture and purge anything unsightly or unnecessary for the space. Simplify your shelves and cabinets to provide a cleaner esthetic. Think about areas that prospective buyers might look at, such as the garage and closets, and work towards simplifying the space. Not only will these areas look less cluttered, but they will also make the space appear larger and more functional.
- Replace Window Treatments & Update lighting
Think “light and bright”! Window treatments are often put aside as an afterthought when getting your home ready to go to market. However, lighting plays a large role in how a room looks and feels. For windows with no framing, consider adding neutral, light colored curtains to provide a more refined look. For windows with elaborate, upscale trim, consider removing bulky curtains and letting in natural light. Another trick is to place the curtain rod closer to the top of the ceiling, rather than right above the framing, making both the window and the space appear larger. It’s also important to consider whether you have adequate sources of lighting in your home. A well-lit home appears more warm and inviting! Experts suggest utilizing multiple types of lighting in a room. Overhead lighting, combined with other sources such as lamps, give a room a warm, ambient feeling, as well as provide depth and texture. Switch out old light bulbs and take time to make sure you have the right type of bulb, the right color temperature and the right lumens (Read more here on bulb types). These small changes will help positively impact the buyers perception of your home!
- Define Rooms– Each room should have a purpose!
When showcasing your home, it’s important to present to prospective buyers what is possible! If a room is left empty or filled with mismatched items, they may have no idea what the room is for. It’s important that buyers see every room as usable. Appropriately sized furniture helps to add depth and will help make rooms appear larger during listing photography. As mentioned previously, it is important to declutter any unnecessary furniture and bulky items and only utilize what is absolutely necessary. Use pieces that help draw the eye towards your home’s best features (such as a beautiful fireplace). For open-concept homes, experts suggest utilizing area rugs to help define a space, while also making it feel more cozy and welcoming. When arranging furniture, the goal is to make each room look spacious and easy to move around. Therefore, make sure that your furniture placement isn’t ruining the “flow” which could make the home feel cramped and unusable. Remember, you don’t need to stage every room of your house. Choose areas that will make the biggest impact, such as entryways, kitchens, and primary bedrooms.
- Add “Fresh” Decor – flowers, plants, new towels, etc..
It’s important that you make your home feel as fresh and inviting as possible! Add warm touches like flowers and decor (vases, throw pillows, candles, coffee table books) and get rid of any odors from pets, kids, cooking, etc. that can make your home smell bad. Getting your rugs professionally washed, cleaning out disposals and trash receptacles, and adding fresh towels around the home are just a few easy ways to make your space feel fresh and sparkling clean.
Curb appeal is important because it can heavily impact a buyer’s first impression of your home. A well maintained front yard will give buyer’s the impression that the property has been well taken care of both inside and out! Experts suggest that landscaping your property can add as much as 14% to your resale value! Some easy ways to keep your exterior looking in top notch condition are to: trim trees and bushes, clean gutters, pressure wash decks and walkways, touch up peeling paint, and get rid of any unnecessary debris. Of course adding in fresh plants, potted arrangements, and attractive furniture/lighting can make the exterior feel low-maintenance and luxurious to prospective buyers. What’s most important is that you get buyers in the door!
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