A primary goal when it comes to selling a home is doing so in a timely manner. A step in this process, which could be the most important of all, is how the home is staged. A properly staged home can be the determining factor between making a sale or not — or at least doing so quickly. On average, a professional home stager will cost $50-$150 per hour. It is understood that everyone does not have room in their budget to hire a professional, but there are still ways you can make your home stand out on the market and allow potential buyers to see themselves in the space. Check out these three tips that will take DIY home staging to the next level!  

A clear look into the future
When touring of your residence, the prospective buyers should be able to walk into your house and view it as their potential home. Personal belongings, such as family pictures, sports memorabilia and even religious items should be packed up and put away. Why? These items can be viewed as a distraction. The buyers are attempting to become comfortable enough to see themselves as future owners of this property, so having the least amount of personal objects in your home helps the case. This is one of the easiest and cost-efficient steps to take when getting your house market ready. 

Decluttering is another simple way to create more instant appeal. Over time, things just seem to pile up around the house, especially if you have kids. Think about the most clutter-prone areas in your home — closets, bookshelves, attics, garage, cabinets, drawers and even bonus rooms. Tackle each space one by one and load those miscellaneous items in a box (or lots of boxes!) and put them out of sight, donate or sell them. That way, those distractions aren’t there to take potential buyers’ eyes off of the prize, which is your home!

Switch it up and wipe it down
Give your home a fresh look. Rearrange furniture and paint the rooms that need it to give them purpose and new life. Take some time to go view model homes on the market so you can draw some inspiration from them. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Plus, those homeowners who paint their rooms prior to selling see a larger return on investment.

Ultimately, this work would be all for naught if the home is not clean. The house should be spotless for the prospective buyers. A deep clean by a professional company is suggested if possible so the rooms can be perfect. Also, any home odors should be neutralized because this will hinder the viewer’s ability to pay attention to the positive qualities. The usage of air fresheners, candles or even baking cookies before every home tour can go a long way with buyers. Who doesn’t love the smell (and taste) of a homemade cookie?! But please keep in mind that strong-scented candles, sprays or diffusers can be quite bothersome to certain buyers. So go easy and use light-scented touches or potential buyers could think you’re masking bad odors like that of pets. 

Love at first sight!
In addition to the inside of the home, the outside appearance has a major impact. This is the first impression the buyers get of your home. Curb appeal plays a huge role in starting off strong with your tour. A simple mowing of the lawn or raking of the leaves can enhance buyer odds. Laying out mulch is also a suggestion that will provide the outside of your house with a very neat and manicured look for any flower beds. These are all valuable and low-cost solutions. If you have time and the budget, focus on more key areas like cleaning out the gutters, painting the mailbox (if applicable) and putting out the welcome mat.

If you found any of these tips helpful and are looking to sell your home or condo, or have any questions regarding real estate in the SRQ area, contact me at amychapman@michaelsaunders.com or 941.225.1500. Talk to you soon!