Not everyone can visualize in empty spaces. This is why condominium developers have beautifully staged model suites at certain stages in their sales cycle. Part of this is that empty spaces look smaller than discretely filled spaces. Another part of this, is that many people have trouble visualizing on a blank slate \u2014 whether it\u2019s a white piece of paper ready for a sketch, an empty condo ready for a new owner, or even a patch of empty garden. It\u2019s hard to see past empty. At the same time it\u2019s also hard to see past someone else\u2019s clutter, if you\u2019re selling an occupied condo.<\/p>\n
Ensure you sell for your full value<\/strong><\/p>\n For your own sale, one of the best ways to ensure that buyers will see your home\u2019s value, is to stage your home prior to showing it. Homes that are well staged tend to fly off the market, while those that are not typically stay on the market much longer, unless the owner is willing to take much less than the home is worth.<\/p>\n Stage for your space \u2014 not for your own taste<\/strong><\/p>\n If your home is poorly staged or not staged at all, then it can be difficult for buyers to see the potential. The home should be staged in a way that brings out its best features and helps the buyer to imagine how the home can look once they are finished decorating. They should not see an empty or run-down place. They should see a cozy, lovingly decorated home. They should be able to see themselves living there and perhaps starting or raising a family there. So how do you go about staging a home?<\/p>\n First, you should ensure that the home is spotless and that nothing is damaged. Everything should be working properly. Eliminate clutter and spruce up the place. You should not see any dirt, grime, mold, or mildew. Make any necessary repairs and replace anything that cannot be salvaged. A few hundred dollars in repairs can keep you from losing tens of thousands on the sale price.<\/p>\n Paint makes it new again<\/strong><\/p>\n The next move should be to paint. Chances are it\u2019s needed, even if you only painted a couple of years ago. Paint makes everything look fresh and new again.<\/p>\n Though not every home will need to be painted before selling, most will need at least a couple rooms painted. You do not want your walls to be full of holes, ripped wallpaper, and smudged paint. Hire a professional painter if necessary. Making sure that the home looks good as new will help to get the full asking price. At very least, you will get far more than you would have without making these changes. Go for more neutral colours. Earth tones are often the best, as they can make a home feel open and inviting without going too light or too dark. Once all repairs have been made, the home is clean, and the last of the paint has dried, decorating can commence.<\/p>\n Even if you are not big on decorating yourself, you should do so for the sake of selling. Hire a professional stager if you really can\u2019t do it. But it\u2019s not that difficult. Accentuate your home\u2019s best features. Walk through your home, taking note of the rooms that will serve as the biggest focal points. Spend the most time on them, and then move on to the rest of the house after that.<\/p>\n The Kitchen<\/strong><\/p>\n Does your home have a large, gourmet kitchen? Play it up. Place a few high-end appliances, such as an espresso machine and a kitchen aid, around the kitchen and make it look like Gordon Ramsay designed it himself. Add subtle decorations but leave it mostly open to draw attention to the amount of counter space potential buyers might have. Fill open shelves and transparent cabinets and organize them neatly.<\/p>\n If yours is a more traditional kitchen, decorate it accordingly. Add personal touches, bright colors, and anything that can make it feel more open and inviting. Floral accents, vases, a bowl of fruit, and other simple touches can evoke memories of one\u2019s childhood. If you can make buyers come into your home and feel like they are suddenly back in grandma\u2019s kitchen, you will almost certainly receive immediate offers. Decorating for any upcoming holidays will also help tremendously and make your place feel more like home.<\/p>\n Master Bedroom<\/strong><\/p>\n You never know who will end up buying your home. Therefore, a general rule of thumb is to decorate in neutral colors. Avoid any gender stereotypes or personal tastes. The d\u00e9cor should be elegant, yet appealing to a wide range of buyers. Open the closet door(s) so potential buyers can see the size. Add shelving if needed and stage in a way that maximizes space. The bedroom should feel warm and cozy, not cold and clinical. If you have a large master bathroom, you should play it up as well.<\/p>\n Living Room<\/p>\n Maximize space by adding sufficient seating. The more seats you can fit without overdoing it, the better. This room should be staged so the buyer feels like they can sit, relax, and unwind after a long day. Make use of decorative pillows, plants, and other accents. Paintings in a few prominent places will help as well. The furniture and d\u00e9cor should also be neutral in color, and it should go well with the walls. Open the curtains to let in some natural lighting.<\/p>\n Dining Room<\/strong><\/p>\n The dining room is one of the most important rooms to stage. This is where families gather around the table to eat and share the day\u2019s events. It is where distant relatives gather during the holidays to enjoy each other\u2019s company and share in a bountiful holiday meal. It is where memories are made as children blowing out candles on their birthday cakes, grandparents regale us with tales of time gone by over meals lovingly cooked using beloved family recipes, and dad\u2019s jokes cause us to shake our heads in embarrassment even though we secretly love them. The dining room is such a central part of family life. As such, it should be staged in a way that meets day-to-day needs while also allowing for holiday meals and other celebrations.<\/p>\n Finishing touches<\/strong><\/p>\n Although the above are the most important rooms to consider, no room should be left untouched. Even the hallway should be adorned with photographs or paintings and perhaps a small cabinet with a mirror hanging above it. Add some flair that makes the home feel lived-in yet sophisticated and clean. When you are finished, the home should look like a newly build model house, yet feel just like home. Follow these tips, and your home will practically fly off the market.<\/p>\n