Increasing Your Home's Appeal
Proper (or improper) staging can make or break the sale of your home. It's one of the single most important things one can do to prepare their home for market, but don't worry, it's not rocket science! Here are a few simple steps you can take to get your house in tip-top shape. For more information on staging and selling your home, click here.
1. Bye, Bye Clutter
The most important thing you can do to prepare your home for sale is to get rid of clutter. One of the major contributors to a cluttered look is having too much furniture. You don't have to whittle that drastically, but take a hard look at what you have and ask yourself what you can live without.
2. Home Lighting
One of the things that make staged homes look so warm and welcoming is great lighting. Aim for a total of 100 watts for each 50 square feet. Don't depend on just one or two fixtures per room, either. Make sure you have three types of lighting: ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet or reading) and accent.
3. Neutral and Appealing
Painting a living room a fresh neutral color helps tone down any dated finishes in the space. These days, the definition of neutral extends way beyond beige, from warm tans and honeys to soft blue-greens. As for bold wall colors, they have a way of reducing offers, so go with neutrals in large spaces.
4. Three's Company
Mixing the right accessories can make a room more inviting. When it comes to eye-pleasing accessorizing, odd numbers are preferable, especially three. Rather than lining up a trio of accessories in a row, imagine a triangle and place one object at each point. Scale is important, too, so in your group of three be sure to vary height and width, with the largest item at the back and the smallest in front.
5. Prim & Polished
Having tile professionally painted can make a bathroom look brand new. And accessorizing can make buyers feel like they're in a spa. Put out items like rolled-up towels, decorative baskets and candles. It's a great way to create a polished look, and it doesn't cost much to do.
6. Furniture Groupings
There's a common belief that rooms will feel larger and be easier to use if all the furniture is pushed against the walls, but that isn't the case. Instead, furnish your space by floating furniture away from walls. Reposition sofas and chairs into cozy conversational groups, and place pieces so that the traffic flow in a room is obvious. Not only will this make the space more user-friendly, but it will open up the room and make it seem larger.
7. Boost Curb Appeal
This is something you always hear, and with very good reason. Many people thinking of touring your home will do a quick drive-by first, often deciding on the spot if it is even worth a look inside. Make sure your home is ready to lure in onlookers with these tips:
- Power wash siding and walkways
- Plant blooming flowers and greenery
- Mow lawn, and reseed or add fresh sod
- Repaint or stain the porch floor
