Stage Your Home Like A Pro

By Kurt Real Estate Nov 23, 2019

Imagine you’re shopping for a new home. Excited that you’ve been pre-approved for the loan amount, you begin the search for your dream home. You see a beautiful. coastal 2-story house in the ideal neighborhood and it is within your budget! Your agent schedules a time to take you through the house. As you walk in the front door, a funky odor wafts in and you notice nothing but clutter.

A few days later another home comes on the market in the same neighborhood! This time, you walk in to stunning hardwood floors and a pristine kitchen with all new appliances adorned with fruit baskets and candles. Though it doesn’t have the same curb appeal, you immediately feel at home the minute you step inside. This could be it!

A little prep work goes a long way when you are putting your house on the market. Don’t assume that people will look past the clutter…because they won’t. They’ll go for the house down the street simply due to the way their first impression made them feel…at home. Here are some pointers on how to stage your home for potential buyers.

Welcome visitors with an inviting porch.

Clear the clutter.

CLEAN – don’t forget to wash the windows!

Make sure your furniture is nicely placed. This may sound simple, but kitchen chairs in different places looks disorderly.

Fold the towels and blankets visible to visitors (in open cabinets or hanging in the bathroom).

Style your tables – Does the kitchen table have a fresh bouquet of flowers? Maybe the dining room is set with your finest place settings.

Make sure spare rooms are displayed, not treated as storage units. Show how they can be used as a guest bedroom or office.

Avoid overly bright colors. Stick to neutrals. Anything too blinding like lime green or hot pink isn’t going to make a buyer walk away, but it is not going to entice them either.

Demonstrate your creative use of awkward areas. If your home has an awkward space, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. Show that you have a useful and creative solution that could actually be viewed as a bonus.

Use the seasons to your advantage. If you read our last blog, then you know November is one of the best times to sell. Make buyers feel at home with personal holiday touches like wreaths and festive candles. A little personality goes a long way.

Lastly, make sure there is a balance between clean and lived-in. Potential buyers know that someone lives there so don’t think every single thing has to be perfect like a model home. Make it clean but homey. Buyers are more likely to picture themselves living there.