Every home seller should know about the benefits of
home staging, the process of emphasizing a home’s best features through the strategic use and placement of furniture in a given space. Home staging is essential to maximizing the appeal of your home to a broad audience, especially considering most buyers have their own preferences. Some buyers may like bright, flashy colors. Others, not so much. Effective home staging takes a home’s space and neutralizes it, essentially creating a blank space while highlighting its best assets. If you’re planning on selling your slice of Cherry Creek real estate, it’s recommended that you stage it first. Professionally staged homes tend to sell faster and for better value than homes left in their usual state.
A professional home staging service will always be an option, but there are ways you can improve your home’s appeal on your own. Here are ten easy and effective home staging tips to help your property make a lasting impression on buyers.
Deep clean
This first tip is fairly straightforward. You’ll want to deep clean your home from top to bottom, inside and out. Everything must be spotless, even the dark corners and crannies you wouldn’t expect people to notice. Don’t overlook the minor areas, either! Clean out drains, behind and under furniture, appliances, and even the ceiling in every room. While these areas are typically ones you might overlook, buyers will have a keen eye for finding any dirt and grime when viewing your home.
While a deep clean may seem like a lot of work, it will be worth it in the long run. Not only will buyers be impressed by the cleanliness of your home, but they will also feel confident that you have been a responsible homeowner and truly care about the upkeep of the property.
Declutter
Clutter is simultaneously messy and distracting, and it’s not something buyers like to see in a home listing, much less in person. Store away non-essential items such as seasonal clothing, souvenirs and trinkets, children’s toys, pet supplies, board games, and other belongings that aren’t for everyday use. While doing this, be sure to throw out or donate any items you don’t need anymore. This will help your home stay uncluttered and also reduce the number of boxes you’ll have to haul when moving to your new home.
Depersonalize
One of the trickiest parts of home staging is depersonalizing the home. Depersonalizing a space means neutralizing it by removing personal effects and other objects that are inherently linked to you and your household. Buyers want to imagine themselves in the home, and that’s hard to do when they’re staring at your personal belongings. Take down magnets on the fridge, sports paraphernalia, diplomas, personal documents and certificates, family photos, children’s artwork, and other personal items.
Reorganize
While neutralizing your home and minimizing clutter is important, you also don’t want to overdo it and have your home feel devoid of charm, character, and comfort. Rearrange each room’s furniture so that the area’s layout flows nicely. If there are any shelves in the room, be sure to organize and decorate them with a few impersonal items. For example, a bookshelf with a row of classic novels is simple, appealing, and not too personal. Add a pop of color or charm to the shelf with a fun bookend. If the walls feel barren, consider mounting a piece of artwork depicting a natural landscape, such as a meadow.
Define rooms
Each room in your home should have a particular purpose or use. Transform an empty bedroom into an office or guest room, or repurpose your basement into an entertainment room or private lounge. Although buyers won’t use the room for the same purpose, they will at least know that every room in the house can adequately serve a particular function. Be sure to do the same for balconies, porches, and other convivial spaces.
Opt for neutral colors
Opt for neutral colors like off-white, light beige, or even light green when painting the interior walls of your home. Avoid overly bright or dark colors in any part of the house. This includes walls, ceilings, furniture, and accents. The home should be warm and neutral, but a splash of color in a painting or small art piece won’t hurt. Moderation is key.
Let in natural light
Enhance your home's warm, welcoming appeal by letting in as much natural light as possible. Tie back curtains, pull up the blinds, and avoid rearranging furniture in front of the windows. When you host tours or an open house, turn on all the lights. A well-lit space is the best way to show off your expertly staged home.
Keep it fresh and green
You’ll want to minimize odors in the home, especially if you have children or own pets. Freshen up your home by airing out rooms or lighting a gently-scented candle before you invite anyone inside. Scents like clean linen or spring breeze are popular choices and are not overwhelming. For a dash of homely charm, add a potted plant or two. Real plants are preferred, but you can make do with fake ones as well.
Spruce up the exterior
Never doubt the importance of
curb appeal, as this is the first thing buyers see when they look at your home from the outside. Improve your curb appeal by washing doors, windows, and siding, storing away children’s toys, trimming the lawn, keeping the sidewalk tidy, and repairing any damaged pavement on the property, such as cracks in the driveway or sidewalk. Typically the exterior of the home is the first thing buyers see in a listing, so be sure to dedicate extra attention and care to this area.
The final touches
Before you open your home to guests, add a few finishing touches to enhance your home’s appeal. Opening the windows, stocking the bathroom with fresh towels, offering a few homebaked goods at the kitchen island, and lighting a few lightly-fragranced candles will make your guests feel right at home.
Partner with Natacha Gutierrez
Effective home staging is all about maintaining your home's unique charm while ensuring it appeals to a broad audience of buyers. Every buyer has different styles and tastes, so you must create a neutral, inviting space. Whether you hire a professional stager to make the most of your home or decide to undertake the project yourself, these simple tips are easy to follow and will help you get started.
Are you eager to purchase Cherry Creek real estate and become a part of a highly-desirable community? If so, reach out to
Natacha Gutierrez, a highly esteemed Cherry Creek realtor who understands the market’s latest trends and is dedicated to satisfying every client’s needs. Give her a call today!
