If you’re in the process of selling a house, then you probably know that staging is an important part. After all, selling a house involves so much more than simply posting a for sale sign in the front lawn. Today’s real estate market is more competitive than ever, so the way that you stage your home will make a world of difference in whether people choose to buy your house or not.
Staging involves everything from decluttering, to adding houseplants for a peaceful ambiance. The idea is to create an appealing atmosphere that makes buyers feel like they’re walking into their very own home. So, if you’re a staging newbie, here’s what you’ll need to know.
Depersonlizing is Key
The psychology behind staging is making people feel like when they walk in they see a fresh clean slate. Therefore, you want to remove anything that makes it feel like the house is lived in by somebody else. Make it neutral and depersonalized. Remove any family photos or keepsakes that could make someone feel like this is not their home.
Keep decorations basic, rather than going far too heavily in one decorative style. The more neutral and flexible you can keep the decorations, the more it will appeal to a wide audience of people rather than one small niche.
Clean Everything
People are going to be looking at every aspect of your house with a watchful eye. You want to make sure that absolutely everything is as clean as possible. From dusting to mopping to polishing, your house should be magazine-ready. Nothing turns buyers off more than a dirty house that hasn’t been maintained. If you’re not much of a cleaner yourself, then hire a professional cleaning crew to make sure that the job is done thoroughly.
Make Repairs
Take care of any minor repairs like burnout light bulbs or any patches in the walls or floors. Repaint your walls, fix leaky faucets, and make it look like the home is as ready to go as possible. The idea is to not draw attention to any repairs that need to be done, but make it look like your house is in great condition. If you’re trying to sell people a home that has plenty of repairs to make, you’re going to find far fewer interested buyers.
Enhance Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of staging, since lighting can totally change the way a room feels. Violent bright overhead lighting can make it feel like you’re in a hospital room, whereas soft dim lighting makes you feel cozy and at home. Adjust the wattage on your light bulbs to dim the areas of your house which are used for relaxation, and brighten lights in more functional areas like the kitchen.
