Home Staging: The Basics

Home Staging- either you’re a believer or a skeptic. As a Real Estate Agent in a competitive market, I see how buyers respond to a well-staged home and have witnessed the relief when a seller’s home sells for top dollar. Simply put, homes tend to sell faster and for more money when properly staged.

Hopefully, you’ll stick with me and read through my diatribe and guide and become less of a skeptic. My goal is be a resource- to help in any way I can with the often times overwhelming task of moving.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

First up… declutter… Declutter… DECLUTTER!

I know. I know. We all love our possessions. From the photo of that epic trip proudly occupying half a living room wall, pixels be damned, to the plethora (yeah, plethora) of knickknacks and furniture pieces painstakingly picked out at antique stalls and your neighborhood home store. I’m not saying these items aren’t awesome and appreciated by friends and family who adore you and yours. What I am saying is when selling a home, if there is too much you, it’s hard to appeal to a “them” and in this case homebuyer(s). 

So what to do? For every item you leave out, pack 3- unless you’re living the minimalist lifestyle already and if you are, kudos to you. The rest of us must carry on without you. Every absolute non-essential item in either bathroom or kitchen, should be packed or neatly tucked away in a cabinet, drawer or closet because buyers will look in those areas. Touch up paint on walls, cabinets and baseboards and while you’re at it, paint that bright canary yellow bedroom to a nice neutral shade. Yes, painting is a pain in the you know what but YES, in most cases, it will sell your home faster.

Now here’s the part that may leave you scratching your head- don’t declutter to the point your home turns sterile (strange advice during a pandemic but bare with me). Keep some life in it by bringing in houseplants and stocking the bowl on your kitchen counter with fresh citrus. Display freshly baked cookies. Anything which says, this is home… for you or for anyone.

Besides, decluttering- keep it clean! Floors, counters and mirrors should be wiped down before showings when possible. AND don’t forget doors. Front doors, back doors, interior, exterior, pocket, french, cabinet, refrigerator… the list could continue on but you get the point.

Staging can be tedious for homeowners looking to sell. I know it can be frustrating when already overwhelmed with a move. Trust me- I get it. I’ve suffered through this many times myself, to the point now, any mention of moving again, elicits a very child-like stubborn reaction (think crossed arms and vehement head shaking). The point is, if you want to sell your house fast and you want to get top dollar, home staging will help you get it.

Check out this Home Staging Guide to help get top dollar and sell fast!