Are you getting ready to sell your home and move on to your next adventure? While this can be exciting, it can also be daunting. Thinking about ALL the things needed to get your home in “show ready” condition can be enough to make your head spin. There is no denying that staging your home increases its perceived value. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, 47% of buyers’ agents cited that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home. Also, 82% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.
Check out this video to see our 10 DIY home staging ideas.
#1 Declutter!
Decluttering might just be the most important step. Plan to pack, throw away, or donate everything you do not need before your move. This includes items inside closets, cabinets, and the garage. Clear off your kitchen counters, desks, and other surfaces to make your home look larger and more polished. You don’t want to have to move things you don’t want anyway. Get rid of them now! If you do want to keep them, but they clutter your home, you may need to even consider a storage unit.
#2 Depersonalize!
In addition to decluttering your home, you also need to depersonalize. This means taking down all family photos, diplomas, trophies, collections, etc. We want buyers to look at your house; not photos or trophies to see if they may know you. We don’t want buyers to feel like they are invading your home. We want them to feel as comfortable as possible and visualize themselves in this home. Take time to go through each room carefully, with an eye to make everything more neutral, open, and inviting.
# 3 Clean, clean, clean!
Did I say decluttering was the most important step? It might actually be a tossup between decluttering and cleaning. They are both MUSTS when preparing your home for sale.You need to clean your house top to bottom, inside and out. This includes shampooing carpets, cleaning grout, scrubbing cabinets, dusting light fixtures, washing windows, and even pressure-washing the home’s exterior. Assume that buyers will see every inch of your home. A clean home signals to potential buyers that your home is cared for and well maintained.
# 4 Make your house smell good!
The way a house smells can have a notable impact on how potential buyers perceive it. While you want your house clean, you do not want your home to smell like cleaning products. When they open the front door, you don’t want them to be knocked out by a strong smell; especially a bad smell. You must get rid of unpleasant smells like mold, mildew, pets, cigarette smoke, and pungent food. You may also consider adding a pleasant (but subtle) smell to your home for showings. You could boil cinnamon sticks, bake cookies, or add a diffuser with a popular essential oil like lavender, sage, or eucalyptus. Again, we do not want the smell of your home to be overwhelming. Put your can of air freshener down; a light, pleasant aroma is all you need.
#5 Light it up!
Your home should feel light, bright, and cheerful when prospective buyers arrive. Ensure all window coverings are clean and in good working order. Then, open them up and let the sunshine in! Also, if you have any mismatched or burnt-out lightbulbs in your home, replace them. If you have any rooms that are particularly dark, consider adding a lamp or other lighting. Also, remember to turn all lights on in the home before each showing.
#6 Paint
If your home is already painted light, neutral colors, you may be able to skip this step. However, if your walls and baseboards are looking a bit dingy, or if you have an affinity for dark paint, you may need to roll up your sleeves and do some painting. As with everything else we have mentioned, light, bright, and minimal is the way to go. If you have any dents or marks on the walls consider touching them up with spackle and paint prior to listing your home. This shows buyers that the home is well maintained and cared for.
#7 Landscaping and the exterior are super important!
You also may need to invest some time and energy into your landscaping and the exterior of your home. As potential buyers drive up to the home, your exterior is their first impression. Let’s make it a good one! It is easier to like the inside of the home when they already like the outside. We do not want them to have negative feelings before even entering the home. Trim trees and shrubs, blow out gravel, and mow the lawn. You want the exterior of your home to look as manicured and inviting as the inside.
#8 Promote Flow
Think about the flow and functionality of your home carefully. It is important that potential buyers understand the purpose of each room and can visualize their own furniture in the space. Remove any pieces of furniture that make the space feel crowded, cramped, or do not suit the purpose of the room. Make the space feel as open as possible, and arrange furniture in a way that makes it easy to navigate the home. As previously mentioned in the decluttering section, you may need to utilize a storage unit temporarily if you have too much furniture that you are not willing to part with.
#9 Freshen up the place
Now that you have done all this work to declutter, depersonalize, and clean, we want to bring some life back into your home. Consider adding a vase of fresh cut flowers, a small potted plant, or a bowl of fresh fruit in the kitchen. Putting out fresh, clean linens in your bedrooms and bathrooms can give your home a resort-like look and feel. Remember, these linens need to stay “show ready”; plan to use alternate towels for your day-to-day needs or increase your laundry frequency. White bedding and towels are always a great option if you aren’t sure what will look best in your space.
#10 Tackle minor repairs
It’s time to tackle your honey-do-list. Any minor repairs that you have been putting off or ignoring need to be resolved before you list your home for sale. A leaky faucet or sticky door sends the message to potential buyers that the home is not well cared for. It may also leave them wondering what else is wrong with the house. Take a weekend to tackle these projects with care and precision. You won’t regret it!
We know that it can be overwhelming getting your house ready to sell. Remember, you do not have to do it alone. Most Realtors will guide you and assist you every step of the way, and can offer staging advice specific to your property and your needs, that will bring you the greatest return. If you live in the Charlotte area please call or text us at Charlotte’s Webb Realty to get started on selling your home!
Click here to download our free home staging checklist!
