7 Home Staging Tips To Sell Your Home Faster

Here’s some advice to help keep that budget down and get the home looking great:

1.    Ask for advice. Even if you don’t get a professional home stager, a second set of eyes from an experienced REALTOR, who has some knowledge about home staging will be invaluable, and could determine how much more and how fast you could be selling your home.

2.    Make breathing room. Moving things around doesn’t cost anything. Rooms that have a lot of furniture may look nice to you, but crowded to potential buyers. Spacing things out makes a room look bigger, and lets buyers mentally fill in the gaps with their own furniture.

3.    Be sparse, not Spartan. Perhaps worse than clutter is nothing at all. An empty room is not going to excite anyone, and it will draw more attention to the condition of the walls, floor, and ceiling. Think of a pleasant-looking room that could appeal to potential buyers: There are simple decorations that catch your eye, and that are spaced out. Flowers, pot-pourris or fruit baskets will look nice.

4.    Minimize personal stuff. In the bathroom and kitchen, clear the countertops and of excessive, kitchen equipment,  bottles, brushes, and cosmetics and use simple, color-coordinated towels. Take down personal photos, including off the fridge (magnets too). Pack up the knick-knacks scattered across the shelves and dressers. You don’t necessarily need to rent a storage unit for all this: You can keep it in the garage, as long as it’s tidy.

5.    Make things shine. Polish furniture. Clean windows, fixtures, doorknobs, fans, and lights. This is simple and cheap but makes a huge visual difference.

6.    Think twice about big customizations. Replacing the carpet or repainting may seem logical, but not everybody has the same taste and the buyer may want to change things again anyway. You should consider a change if age or crazy style are issues. If you do, go for simple, neutral colors.

7.    Create curb appeal. First impressions matter most. Potential buyers will drive by your house first. If they do not like the outside, they have no reason to go inside. Clear out the tools and junk, keep the lawn clean, and trim the hedges. Add fresh flowers. Fresh mulch may spruce things up cheaply, and if you don’t want to paint the whole house, paint the trim, front door, and shutters. If it’s within your budget, you could hire professional landscapers.