Checking the market for a new home can be exciting – but it’s often overwhelming. With so many homes and buyers eager to purchase their dream property, getting the most out of your investment is critical. Many real estate agents rely on staging to allow buyers to envision themselves in the new home. Home staging is one proven way to maximize real estate gains and quickly secure an offer from prospective buyers; however, knowing how to stage your home effectively takes skill and knowledge. Fletchers Capital covers five essential tips for successfully staging your house before putting it up for sale.
Make Your Entryway Stand Out
A front door and porch area can be a potential buyer’s first impression when viewing a property. Making it visually appealing is critical to maximizing real estate investment gains. Consider installing new hardware and adding a fresh coat of paint in an attractive color. Remove any broken or outdated décor and create a fresh welcome mat to set the stage for success.
Adding potted plants or flowers is a great way to add life and color to your entryway. You can also hang wreaths on the door for seasonal décor to create a warm welcome. If you have outdoor furniture, consider cleaning it up and adding fresh cushions or pillows with bright colors that match the paint of your front door. Finally, ensure all outdoor lighting fixtures are working properly so buyers can get a good look at the property after dark. By taking these steps, you’ll be working towards maximizing real estate investment gains when staging your home for sale.
De-clutter For Maximum Gains
While houses are meant to be lived in, your potential buyers may be turned off by the clutter and chaos of everyday life. By de-cluttering and organizing your home, you create a feeling of spaciousness that will make buyers feel more comfortable. You want to ensure all surfaces are clean and free from personal items or decorations that might distract from the space.
Removing extra furniture or objects cluttering the room is essential, making it easier for buyers to envision a life in your home. Streamline and organize bookshelves and other storage areas, and ditch any outdated furniture pieces that don’t quite fit into the overall design scheme. Finally, consider investing in attractive baskets or boxes to store items when not in use and help keep the area tidy.
Enhance Lighting
Lighting is an often overlooked element of home staging, but it can make a massive difference in a room’s final look and feel. Upgrading lightbulbs and fixtures can make spaces look brighter and more inviting and increase the value of your home for potential buyers.
Upgrading your existing lighting fixtures to higher-quality options is one way to improve the atmosphere in any room instantly. Choose bulbs with maximum brightness while providing warm tones instead of harsh white light. Consider replacing old ceiling lights with modern recessed lighting or installing elegant chandeliers where appropriate. Doing this will give each room its unique character while creating a feeling of warmth when people enter them. Not only does this add visual interest to each space, but it also increases your home’s overall appeal, which could lead to higher offers from prospective buyers.
In addition to upgrading existing fixtures, you may consider adding additional lighting sources such as lamps or wall sconces for task or accent lighting throughout your house. Lighting up dark corners or placing strategically placed lamps on tables will create focal points that draw attention away from less appealing aspects of the property. Additionally, adding dimmers to existing light fixtures is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers. Investing in the proper lighting can help make your house look more attractive and appealing, which could lead to higher offers from buyers when it comes time to sell.
Decorate With Care
When decorating for home staging, keeping things neutral and timeless is essential. While bright colors can be visually appealing, they may not match the taste of some buyers, which could lead to lower offers on your property. Instead, choose muted tones such as soft blues, grays, and taupes that will appeal to various potential buyers.
Regarding accents and decorations, Fletchers Capital advocates that less is more. Select a few quality pieces that add visual interest without being overly distracting and place them strategically throughout the home. You may also want to consider adding plants or flowers, as they can help bring life into any space without detracting from its overall look. Setting the table with some tasteful yet simple place settings can also add a touch of elegance that appeals to buyers.
Showcase Special Features
When staging a home, it’s essential to highlight all its unique features. If your home has special architectural details such as built-in bookshelves or crown molding, ensure they are visible and well-lit. Showcase fireplaces by displaying seasonal decorations on the mantel and hanging artwork that enhances beautiful views.
Highlight any special features in each room, such as built-in shelving or custom cabinets. If your home has a unique feature like an outdoor patio or a place to entertain, it is staged appropriately with comfortable furniture and décor that appeals to buyers. By highlighting the best elements of your home, you can help make it stand out from the competition and attract more potential buyers.
Final Thoughts
Fletchers Capital knows that adequately staging a home can make all the difference when selling your property. By making thoughtful upgrades to light fixtures and bulbs, adding tasteful decorations, and highlighting special features in each room, you can increase your home’s value while ensuring potential buyers are captivated by its charm. Don’t forget to consider hiring a professional home stager if you need extra help making sure your house looks its best.
