As a mortgage lending office, we are dedicated to helping people secure the home of their dreams. Our clients are important to us, and we are with you every step of the way—even years after your purchase. If you’re in a home that you’d like to move on from, selling it can be intimidating. To help you get your home sold quickly, here are some tips for staging it properly. And when you’re ready to buy your next property, InterWest Mortgage is your expert for that next loan.
What is Home Staging?
Home staging is the process of preparing your home for market in a way that appeals to potential buyers for the highest price possible. It involves highlighting good features and minimizing flaws (but not being dishonest). It also means creating a positive mood throughout the home and making it look good for photos. Home buying can be emotional, and buyers want to feel good about their purchase. Staging helps create a good first impression and allows for buyers to see themselves in the property. This doesn’t mean a complete redesign of the home, but rather some purposeful changes to highlight why someone would want to buy your home. Here are some steps to take:
- Clean and declutter – A clean home shows buyers that you care about the overall appearance, which also tells them you care about the bones of the home too. A clean and tidy space is inviting, whereas a cluttered home is distracting and makes it look smaller.
- Personal touches – During the showing and selling process, minimizing personal keepsakes will help buyers envision themselves in your home. Think of it as creating a blank slate for someone to come in and feel at home quickly.
- Tackle smells –We all get used to our own smell in our home, but if you have smells that linger and aren’t appealing, you’ll want to address it. Think deodorizing, not masking smells with overpowering sprays.
- Paint/Wallpaper – Bold prints and colors show buyers that they immediately have a project when they move in. Consider removing wallpaper and painting walls neutral tones so buyers see a blank canvas with potential rather than an instant chore.
- Carpet and flooring – Stained and dirty carpet is highly noticeable, and so is outdated flooring. It may be a little money up front, but opting for a professional carpet cleaning or replacing outdated floors pays off in the end. Kitchen and bathrooms should be the first focus.
- Furniture placement – Place your furniture pieces in a way that flows aesthetically and functionally. Buyers want to see that home can function for their needs with their belongings.
- Exterior and entry – Many buyers have driven up to a home and immediately pulled away without even going in. Tidy the outside area and address any maintenance needs before you put the house on the market to get a better price and to encourage an inviting feeling from potential buyers.
- Final checks – Before someone comes through your home, take a quick pass that nothing embarrassing or deterring is out.
We wish you luck on the sell of your home and hope to help you with your next purchase.
