Clever Home Staging Tricks You Can Steal
Written By: Jaymi NaciriWednesday, September 2, 2015
Getting ready to sell your home? It would be awesome to hire a home stager.
Home stagers are paid to furnish a home and help it look its best. What they create isnt so much the ideal living environment but rather the idealized oneone in which there are no awkward furniture arrangements, toys on the floor, crumbs on the countertops, or surprises in the toilet. Its not maintainable for most people everyday, but boy, does it work when selling your home
Stagers typically have furniture and accessories at their disposalnot to mention interior design degrees. But they can cost hundredseven thousandsof dollars. Fortunately, you can achieve great results by using some of their tricks.
Clear it out and clean it up
The first step in preparing any home for sale is to clear it out and clean it up, getting rid of clutter and personal items and scrubbing it down.
"De-cluttering -- and having a pristine home from top to bottom -- are the no-brainers that can make your real estate look better than the house down the block," said Better Homes and Gardens. "Your home must be cleaner and less cluttered than its ever been. You need to banish not just the day-to-day buildup the mail, the shoes, last seasons clothes, the dog hair, but also several years accumulation."
Removing kids toys, outdated furnishings, and excessive knickknacks can help. Whatever you cant sell or donate, box up and store at a friend or >
Houzz
Depersonalize
A house that reflects your personal >
"Prospective buyers wont be able to picture themselves in the house if theyre surrounded by dozens of photos of your children and grandparents," said Bankrate.
Update the bathroom
Not everyone has the funds for a big bathroom renovation prior to selling. Smart changes can make a big difference.
"Avoid dated tile by painting. Bathrooms sell houses, but dated tile in a bathroom doesnt. A low-cost alternative to replacing the tile is to use paint," said HGTV. "First coat the tiles with a high-adhesion primer.
Next, brush on a special ceramic epoxy covering. For a fraction of the cost of new tile, you will have an up-to-date bathroom that brings in big bucks."
Pay attention to design details
After youve cleared away the clutter, you want to focus on creating simple, elegant designs. Its easier than it seems.
"For a visual impact on a table without a lot of fuss, remember a design basic: Groupings of odd numbers always do the trick Three of a kind, likehurricane jars, filled with something as simple as pinecones, makes a ridiculously easy and dynamic table scape," said Katie Jane Interiors.
Katie Jane Interiors
Up your curb appeal
Make sure you make a great first impression, or you might not have an opportunity to make a second impression.
"You may have spent hours making sure the kitchen is clean, and doing so is worth the effort," sad Bob Vila. "But remember, the facade is the first part of your house a potential buyer will see. A little landscaping can go a long way. Strapped for time? Potted plants placed around the front door will add welcome charm to your entryway."
Pay attention to odors
We get used to our environment, so we might notice that musty smell or cat box aroma. Have your realtor or a trusted friend do a walk through and give you an honest assessmentnot just of the way the house looks, but how it smells. Then take action to improve it. Start by steam cleaning the carpets and any upholstered pieces that need it.
Dont ignore the windows
Windows that are cloaked by outdated or heavy window coverings can negatively impact the image your home projects. Open the blinds and replace drapes with inexpensive versions that will let the light in and frame the views.
"Need to dress up a window but dont want to shell out big bucks for window treatments? Heres a trick: Use place mats," said HGTV. "First, apply a hook-and-loop fastener to the place mats and attach them in a row to a basic curtain rod. Now that the place mats are attached to the curtain rods, pin them together at the bottom, and youll have a stylish valance that costs about 12."
Upgrade the Furniture
Giving your home a fresh, clean look with new furniture can make it feel more modern and appeal to more buyers. Dont have money for new stuff? "Try giving worn-out pieces a pick-me-up with new pillows or a slipcover," said Bob Vila.
While youre at it, take a look at your furniture layout too. "Your preferred setup may not be the most appealing one to would-be buyers. Where logical, opt for a social layout that makes it easy to envision the space being enjoyed among family and friends."
Give rooms a single purpose
That home office that doubles as a guest room is useful, but when it comes time to sell your home, pick one and run with it. "Potential buyers are confused by extra rooms that have a mishmash of uses," said HGTV.
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