Gone are the days when you could sell your house by doing a little cleaning and sticking a FOR SALE sign in front of your house. Maybe it’s because of all the interior design shows on TV and that today’s buyers often expect model-perfect homes, so if you're looking to get multiple bids on your home, you need to step up your game.
If you don’t have access to or funds for a staging professional (typically costing $50 - $150/hour), don’t worry! There are all kinds of things you can do yourself to make your house look beautiful and inviting for potential buyers.
Here are some great ways to help buyers imagine living in your home without having to spend a lot of money:
De-personalize your home. Pack away personal items such as family photos, trophies, awards, and mementos. Buyers want to imagine it as their new home, not your old one.
Get rid of clutter. Bookshelves, closets, attic, basement, kitchen countertops, toys, etc. It might pay to rent a storage unit for all your extra stuff.
Make sure each room has a distinct purpose. No dining/den/playroom combinations! Potential buyers probably won’t want to lead the same kind of life that you do.
Deep clean and deodorize. From the ceiling fans to the baseboards, carpet, and flooring, everything should be spotless. Banish the litter box and get rid of the dog hair.
Paint every room a neutral color. Boring, yes, but your daughter’s hot pink bedroom probably won’t appeal to the family with two teenage boys.
Let there be light. You should have 100 watts for every 50 square feet of space. Shoot for a mix of overhead, table, accent, and floor lamps, and install dimmer switches so you can create subtler moods. Don’t forget to open the blinds and curtains to let in natural light, too.
Move the furniture. Get rid of extra pieces that crowd a room, and consider floating the furniture instead of pushing it all up against the walls. This will make the room look bigger.
Change up your artwork. Don’t hang it all around a room at the same height. Stack pictures, hang them diagonally or create small groupings. This will add drama to the room and create interest.
Create a fantasy room. Clear out the ironing board, boxes, and old clothes and create a game room, media room, or exercise room, to name a few. This adds value and enjoyment to your home, something buyers will be looking for.
Spruce up the curb appeal. You know what they say about first impressions. Paint your front door a bright color. Add potted plants, a new light fixture, and fix the dented garage door. Pressure wash, mulch, and weed your gardens, and keep your lawn mowed.
Sure this sounds like a lot of work, but won’t it be worth it when your home received multiple bids above your asking price?
For more ideas, check out local model homes. They’ll get you inspired and thinking just like a staging professional.
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