Stage your home to sell

In today’s market, sellers need to do everything they can to help their homes stand out from the crowd. If you’re thinking about selling, here are a few relatively easy and inexpensive things you can do to make your home instantly more attractive to buyers, and help it sell faster and for the best price possible.

·      Make it spotless—this might sound obvious, but taking the time to thoroughly clean your property can help buyers feel more comfortable in the space, and imagine themselves living there much more easily. This includes cleaning everything from the windows and floors to bathrooms, kitchens, closets and major appliances.

·      Declutter and depersonalize—a cluttered home can look smaller and feel less welcoming. So make sure everything is well-organized and in its place. Replace your family photos and cherished keepsakes with more neutral artwork. Swap out large or bulky furniture for a few simple upscale pieces. If possible, donate, throw away or put into storage as many personal possessions as you can before you list your property.

·      Boost your curb appeal—unless it’s a virtual showing, the first impression most buyers will have of your property is the exterior. So make sure that first impression is a good one. Boost your home’s curb appeal by power washing exterior walls and walkways, giving the deck or patio a good scrubbing, adding a little fresh paint, and planting some seasonal shrubs or flowers.

·      Start with the most important rooms first—if you don’t have the time or budget to stage the whole property, start with the most important rooms first, like the living and dining areas, the kitchen, and the master bedroom.

·      Help buyers visualize a purpose for every space—if there’s a small office space, put in a modest desk set to make it look an office. If there’s a pantry, make sure it’s well-stocked and well-organized. If there’s a spare bedroom you mainly use for storage, find another place for your belongings and stage the room to look like someone could actually sleep there.

·      Do any simple repairs—is the kitchen faucet leaking? Is the light switch in the main bedroom loose or missing? Does the bathroom have any wobbly cupboards, outdated cabinet hardware or pealing silicone around the tub? Now’s the time to do all those easy fixes and repairs you always meant to tackle, but never found the time to carry out.

·      Upgrade or add lighting—brighten the whole home by replacing any burned-out lightbulbs, upgrading your existing lighting, adding a few extra standing lamps in especially dark corners, and opening all the drapes or blinds before any showings or open houses.

·      Try a fresh coat of paint—giving your home a fresh coat of paint in a light, neutral colour is the quickest and least expensive way to neutralize any lingering odours, cover over any signs of regular wear and tear, and make the whole property look brand new.

·      Add some greenery—adding a few plants or fresh-cut flowers is another great way to make your space inviting and add some splashes of colour without looking too “stagey.”

·      Let the professionals do it for you—lastly, if you don’t have the time, patience or expertise to stage your home by yourself, let a professional do it all for you!

In addition to taking over all the headaches and hassles, a professional home stager can provide all those little expert touches that will make your home truly memorable to buyers, and really set it apart from the competition. If you don’t already know a good home stager, ask your REALTOR® for a recommendation.

Questions?

Do you have any questions about buying or selling a home, condo, apartment or investment property anywhere in the Lower Mainland? Contact us to set up a quick call or email, or schedule a free consultation today.