When it comes to selling a home, there are many different things that play a huge role in the success of the sale. I detailed my top tips on how to sell your home in this blog post, but today, I want to specifically talk about home staging. I work on properties that typically have a professional home stager who makes sure the home looks put together, stylish, and overall more appealing to potential buyers. At the end of the day, a well-styled home allows potential buyers to actually envision themselves living in the home and can help them imagine their own furniture, style, etc. in place.
That being said, a professional home stager isn’t always an option, especially if you’re working on a smaller property or are just starting out! Whether you’re an agent who wants to be a resource to your client or are someone who is selling your home, I’m sharing 4 simple home-staging tips that will help you get your property ready to sell (hopefully faster and for more money).
Go for a Minimalist Kitchen
I’ve shown a lot of homes over the years and I can safely say that potential buyers tend to make a beeline for the kitchen. A lot of the time, the kitchen can be considered the heart of the home and is a space in the house where potential buyers start to make first impressions about the property. Basically, a well-appointed kitchen is important and will drastically increase the value of the home! Because of this, you have to make sure the kitchen is on point.
The kitchen should not look lived-in when you’re trying to sell it. Keep things simple– remove everything from the countertops, get rid of any clutter that has accumulated, and keep things neat and clean. You can leave a few (like literally 1 or max 2) nice appliances on the countertops, but if you’re unsure, I’d say skip. You can, however, leave a bowl of lemons or a vase of flowers out as it gives a homey feel to potential buyers. I think we’ve all heard of the baking cookies and leaving them in the oven trick, but a cut lemon inside the sink will also do.
Make Each Space Have a Purpose
It’s pretty common for buyers to have a hard time visualizing at first, so defining each space in the home is important. If you have a spare room you use for multiple things, decide what it is then and there. Is it a guest room? Is it an office? Giving each space purpose makes it easier for you as a seller to prep and stage the home, and makes it easier for buyers to picture themselves utilizing each space. Like the kitchen, whatever route you decide to take with each space, make sure to keep things simple, clean, and inviting.
Add Some Throw Pillows
This might seem simple, but I’m telling you, throw pillows and blankets make a huge difference. Of course, they add character and make a room feel more homey, but they also add volume. This makes the room feel more put together and complete without adding too much shit everywhere–win! I would say avoid any pillows or blankets with loud patterns and instead stick to monochromatic shades. You don’t have to spend a ton of money, either. Target and Home Goods have a ton of chic pillows for a great price.
Bedrooms = Hotel Rooms
When staging the bedroom(s), one of my favorite tactics is to channel your favorite hotel. Remove anything personal and instead picture the room as a nice hotel room you would want to stay in. Just like the rest of the home, keep things simple. I like when white sheets and pillows are used to create a clean aesthetic, but adding a simple pop of color with a single pillow or throw blanket is always nice. Depending on the size of the bedroom, you can add in other furniture and decor such as chairs or a bench at the end of the bed, but always make sure to have the essentials like nightstands and lamps.
When in doubt, look up home staging inspiration online or even doing a search of chic hotels you admire can bring inspiration! Remember, staging a home should add value and should be something that helps sell a home, not the other way around. You got this.
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