Top ten home staging tips

Heather’s top ten home staging tips

1. Property vs. Home

The way you live in a home is often very different from the way a home is presented for sale.  Think about your property as your largest financial investment, and stop thinking about it as your home. Your property is a product that is for sale.

2. Photos

When your property is listed for sale, photos are one of the most powerful marketing tools you will use.  Most people are searching online for properties for sale, so put your best foot forward with well-staged photos.  Take photos of your outdoor spaces on a bright sunny day.  Take photos of your indoor spaces during daylight hours, and with all unnecessary items removed from the space.

3. Curb appeal

First impressions are powerful, so make sure the outside spaces enhance the appeal of your property.

·      Remove objects from the path and perimeter of your house (bikes, toys, building materials)

·      Trim bushes and vines; keep lawn cut and watered; add a colourful planter at the entrance

·      Scrub the front porch, front door & trim, clean the mailbox and polish the street numbers

4. Edit and De-clutter

A cluttered house detracts from the perceived value of your property.  It suggests the place is not well maintained; smaller in size that it actually is; lacks storage and is distracting buyers from the true features of the property. 

·      Floors – remove items of storage piled on floors

·      Horizontal surfaces – take everything off, then put only a few select items back.

·      Book shelves – arrange books in an orderly fashion

·      Closets – 70% of the items stored in your closets should be removed to ensure they look spacious, organized and adequate for storage.

·      Furniture & wall hangings – less is more

5. Clean and Fix

Walk through each room and make two lists, one for cleaning and one for fixing.  Chipped paint, loose or missing tiles, broken door handle, a closet door that doesn’t close properly.  Finish any home renovations projects that are in progress. If you are not able to do these tasks yourself, hire a professional.  The investment you make will be returned in a higher sale price of your property.

6. Paint

Some potential buyers will try to negotiate a lower price if the home is clearly in need of new paint. Painting is the cheapest way to enhance the interior and exterior and capture the equity in your property. To ensure your property appeals to the most people, choose fresh, neutral colours.

7. Refresh and update

Your property will have a lower perceived value if it the décor is outdated.

Some ideas to update your property without spending too much:

·      Replacing the kitchen countertop and cabinet handles

·      Replacing light fixtures and faucets

·      Use slipcovers on old couches and chairs

·      Fresh bed linens in neutral tones with a few decorative pillows

8. Depersonalize

Potential buyers are most attracted to properties when they can visualize it as their home, not yours.  Make the property as neutral as possible by removing and storing any religious or political symbols, diplomas, abundant collections and personal photos.  Remove names or initials identifying the occupant of a room, ie. name sign on bedroom door. These distract the buyers from what you are selling – a PROPERTY not ‘your home’. This is a delicate subject because most people are proud of the personal items they have displayed in their home, and may take offence that the items may not be to everyone’s taste. Remember, when your property is for sale, consider that it is no longer your home.

9. Let in the light

Open all the curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible.  When showing the property, go around and turn on every single light and lamp in every space. 

10. Space optimization

Most buyers cannot visualize and see potential, and do not have an imagination when it comes to house viewing.  If the property has four bedrooms, ensure they are all set-up as bedrooms (not as storage rooms). The livingroom furniture should be positioned to create a conversation area which will look towards the room’s focal point.

Do you need help preparing your property for sale?  As a professional organizer I provide home staging services, and I'm here to help.

Heather Fulcher
Professional Organizer for Hire
Vancouver, BC, Canada
heatherfulcher@gmail.com  
604-618-4829