Do you know the most important part of selling a house? It’s not setting the right price, timing your listing on the market or even renovations. It’s staging. Home staging showcases all the best features of your property to prospective buyers. You’ll often read advice to make your house appear like a blank canvas, but this is not entirely true. What you really want is to provide a visually captivating display of potential.
An empty home waiting to be furnished and decorated might not have the effect you think. People won’t take the extra steps to imagine the space filled with all of their possessions. Instead, they want to step into a space that immediately encapsulates them, making them feel welcomed, relaxed and excited at the prospect of calling it their home.
How Much Does It Cost to Stage a House?
The average homeowner spends around $400 to stage their home. Your target market, size of your property and any necessary repairs and touch-ups will ultimately impact how much you pay. If the out-of-pocket expense feels too steep, you can always look into spacing the updates out, using a credit card to cover half or borrowing a personal loan from a private lender can be a way to come up with an expense solution. Working with a real estate agent can help you get an idea of which changes could have the greatest impact on buyers. Focus on these first to save money, and only make additional improvements if you don’t receive any offers.
Hire a House Cleaning Service
Even if you have been working on getting better at cleaning, you should pay for one deep cleaning from a professional company. This will give your home the polished, fresh smelling look that instantly feels refreshing to people when they step inside. Another major perk is that you still get to enjoy a spic-and-span home while you’re living in it, and it will be easier to maintain its upkeep once all the major dirt, dust and grime has been cleared.
Make Sure Your Home is Photogenic
Home buyers browse online for properties before they schedule a showing, so if you want the greatest chance of a quick sale, you need stellar images. People should easily be able to visualize the space and be enticed at the idea of seeing it in person. If your listing features images pre-staging, make sure you update them. Photos should:
- Be taken with a wide-angle lens
- Be full of natural light
- Create emphasis on space, not your furnishings
Fix Any Eyesores
Cosmetic repairs to a property’s interior and exterior can have a profound impact on future homeowners. Cracks, dents, scratches and unseemly marks or worn-out paint should be corrected before you show the property. If you have carpet, get it steam cleaned so it’s soft and inviting. Have wood floors polished to an irresistible shine. Make sure the yard is landscaped, the grass is mowed and all of the windows are sparkling clean. Tiny upgrades, like updated faucets and cabinet handles, can also make a space feel new and more appealing.
