4 Tips and Advice from Realtors on Staging a Home
4 Tips and Advice from Realtors on Staging a Home
Contributed by Skylar Ross
Writer, Innovative Building Materials
Staging your home the right way can make or break a deal if the potential buyer is somewhat undecided before a walk-through. Most homeowners aren’t aware that there are a wide variety of tips and tricks you can use to make your home seem more appealing to a buyer.
Realtors who have been around the game have a ton of advice to offer on this topic, so in case you’re selling your home and plan on having walk-throughs, here are some pieces of advice from realtors on how to stage your home.
Replace or Remove Damaged Wallpaper
Say you’ve got a small torn piece of wallpaper, you might be able to hang a picture over it to cover it up. However, if the damage is extensive, as it often is, you need to consider removing wallpaper that looks bad.
Torn or stained wallpaper is a massive turn-off for a potential buyer, even if they know it’s an easy fix. When it comes to a walk-through or staging photos, a potential buyer’s impression of your home can be ruined by damaged and disheveled wallpaper.
It’s a really simple DIY project to remove and/or replace damaged wallpaper with an unblemished alternative, and the ROI will be well worth it.
Let There Be Light
Natural light during daytime showings does wonders to brighten up a home. Natural light has its own appeal and allows the buyer to see how the sun will interact with their home. Especially if you’ve got big magnetic storm windows or another type that let in a lot of light, pull back those curtains and let the light in.
Bonus points if you can time your showing during peak natural light hours, or even a sunset. If you’re just taking staging photos, try to include a sunset, sunrise, and peak daytime lighting if possible.
Don't Forget the Exterior
Cut the grass, trim the hedges, clean the gutters, remove any trash from the yard or driveway, and avoid spotlighting any damage to your siding. Even beautiful dutch lap vinyl siding can look unsightly if there are holes in it.
So many of us are focused on the interior when staging our homes that we neglect the exterior. The outside of your home is the first thing the buyers will see, though, and they take note of it, same as the inside.
Of course, if you’ve got any special exterior features like fancy siding, board and batten shutters, or a flagpole, make sure not to obstruct the view when staging. Giving such features the space they need to truly shine can provide a subtle boost in attractability.
Don't Over-Clean
This might sound counterintuitive, but you don’t want to completely sterilize your home like a hospital. Dirt, grime, trash, and items in the way should all be cleaned up, yes, but don’t go so far as to hide all your knick-knacks and stuff your kids’ toys in the closet.
Leaving behind a human element for the buyers to observe helps to personalize the house and make it seem less like an offering from a catalog. Leave a few everyday items out here and there, it can make a surprisingly big difference in how your home is viewed.
When it Comes to Staging Homes, Realtors Know Best
Nobody knows how to stage a home like a realtor. It’s not all about cleaning and rearranging your furniture, sometimes it’s the little tips that can make a huge impact. If you’re staging a home in the near future, feel free to refer to this list for staging advice that’s sure to boost your chances of completing a sale.
Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.