How to Successfully Stage Your Home to Sell

We may be in a seller’s market at the moment but a poorly staged home can still sit on the market for a long time. Luckily, staging your home is easier than you think, and you can tackle most of the projects yourself.

Start with Curb Appeal

Before you hire a landscaper, try some simple yet effective steps like mowing the lawn and spreading fresh mulch in flower beds. Cleaning windows, sweeping the front porch, and giving your front door a fresh coat of paint can also make a big difference. Better Homes & Garden realtor, Travis Farris, says that curb appeal is worth “tens of thousands” of dollars. Keep the word ‘welcome’ in mind as you stage your outside area. Even adding personal touches like a rocking chair or porch swing can add appeal.

Refresh Your Cosmetics

Bad flooring and outdated paint colors turn buyers away in a heartbeat. Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint and replacing worn flooring can make or break a sale. Outdated cabinetry and countertops are also a turn-off. You can give cabinets a quick facelift with fresh paint or if you have room in the budget, hire a cabinet company like McCarley Cabinets to update your cabinets and countertops.

De-clutter Everything

Less is definitely more when it comes to staging. Moving is your opportunity to get rid of things you’ve been meaning to throw out. Plus de-cluttering will make the packing process easier after your home is sold. Remember that things like big, dark, heavy furniture can carry that tone throughout the rest of your home so if you’ve been thinking about getting rid of it, now is the time. An organized, cheerful, neutral space encourages buyers and helps them envisualize their stuff in the home. Another tip to de-clutter and brighten your space is to change all light bulbs in the home to LED lights to instantly brighten each room.

Appeal to Emotions

The goal is to make buyers feel at home before the house is actually in their possession. That’s why realtors often bring wine and cheese trays to showings and open houses. Another tip from realtors is to bake a fresh batch of cookies just before a showing. The cookies give off a homey, comforting aroma while also providing a welcoming snack for buyers.

You should also consider the lifestyle of the location of your home and incorporate that lifestyle into your decor theme. So if you live on a lake, add nautical themes throughout the home. If you live in the country, more traditional and farmhouse themes are appropriate. Modern and industrial themes often work well for urban homes.

Hire a Pro

For heavier projects like renovating a kitchen or bathroom, it’s best to hire a professional to ensure the project is done correctly. You should also hire a professional cleaning service to deep clean your home and a professional photographer to take pictures. Poorly shot photos can turn away buyers and, of course, a messy home is always a turn-off. Trust us, these projects are worth spending the money on hiring a professional.

Ready to update your cabinets and countertops to make your home more appealing to buyers? McCarley Cabinets is ready to help. Give us a call at 662-728-1533 to get started with a free project estimate.