7 Ways to Impress Home Buyers With Your Home Staging

Selling your Graham home can be exciting and stressful all at once. Knowing how to successfully prepare for selling can be one of the most challenging but most important parts of the journey.

Begin with staging the space for success. While it may seem like a lot of work, staging your property is one of the most critical steps when creating an alluring home that buyers feel connected to. Staging makes your home look inviting and neutral, as you can create a blank space for potential buyers to build their lives.

Once a potential buyer arrives for a showing, proper staging helps the buyer feel comfortable and welcomed. It can also help them picture themselves living within your home and truly making it their own. Knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, though, so here are seven expert tips for beginning your home staging journey.

The best place to start your home staging journey is to ensure your house is clean from interior to exterior. You want to give potential buyers an excellent first impression of your home and show how well you’ve cared for it. Clean and put away all dishes, and dust all surfaces. Make sure that cabinets, tables, shelves, the tops of chairs, banisters, and other visible areas are entirely free of dirt and dust.

It is also a good idea to clean areas that aren’t as visible, such as ceiling fan blades and lampshades. Be sure to wipe down the sinks and clean the showers as well. Wash bedding and iron as needed to ensure everything looks tidy and pristine. Vacuum or mop the floors, and remove all pet hair from the furniture. A clean home is inviting and is an easy way to show off a home's beauty and features.

While personal items are essential for turning a house into a home, an open house or private tour is not the place for them. Be sure to remove and store away all family pictures, personal memorabilia, kids’ toys, and pet-related items. A showing should allow potential buyers to envision themselves living in a space, but your personal items are distracting from this goal. Plus, as you store your belongings away, this is also a good time to get a head start on packing for your new place.

In addition to removing your personal items, it is important to remove all clutter from your home. Remove the shoes from the front entryway, pick up seasonal decorations from the yard, and toss any old receipts sitting out on the kitchen countertops.

Likewise, the decor is a vital component of home staging, but too many decorative pieces or overwhelming artwork can be distracting and off-putting for a potential buyer. Instead of covering the walls with an array of small art pieces, stick to one or two large pieces for each room. Set up a few books on a shelf instead of filling it completely with rows of novels. Leave open spaces, but make sure the shelves don’t look empty. Put a couple of decorative pillows on beds and couches, but don’t overload them. It is better to keep to a minimalist style for staging.

Often, you’ll need to reorganize your furniture for a showing. Even though you have arranged your furniture to work for you, it may not look inviting during a showing. Move furniture so that the room feels more open and spacious. You want each room to flow well into the next. Avoid oversized pieces of furniture, as they will be distracting and make rooms look smaller and more cramped. Try to stick to the essentials when arranging your furniture. If possible, remove all pieces that are unnecessary. It is also a good idea to remove any furniture that is broken or worn. Keep your furniture looking well-kept and clean.

When staging your property, be sure to keep things warm and inviting. Add pops of color by adding throw pillows or a rug. Stick to warm colors and soft designs. Stay away from items that might be overwhelming and colors that might clash. Soft florals or plain patterns are perfect for adding a bit of color to a room. Adding a neatly folded throw blanket on a couch or a small vase of flowers in the kitchen can make the house look more inviting and pleasant. This allows the buyer to view the house as a home and picture themselves living there. Stay away from too many dark colors, as they can make a space seem smaller and closed in.

Aside from a few pops of color, stick to neutral colors throughout the house. Don’t be afraid to repaint walls or cabinets. Warm white shades or light gray are good options for wall colors.

Touching up the paint is always a great idea when preparing to list your Graham home for sale. Even if you aren’t changing the color of the walls entirely, painting is an excellent way to freshen up and brighten a room. In addition, stick to sheer curtains or blinds with light neutral colors to allow light to flow into the space, making small, dark rooms appear brighter and larger.

The exterior of your property is the first feature your buyers will see, so it is crucial to make your yard look as appealing as possible. Remove weeds, fallen twigs, and dead plants from the lawn. Sweep all walkways and entrances until they’re clear of debris. It’s also a good idea to pick up some new plants to liven up your garden space.

Make sure all plants are trimmed and well-kept. Mow your lawn, and do your best to fix any dead spots in the grass. If you have space, add outdoor seating or entertainment areas where prospective buyers can envision themselves relaxing after work or spending time with family. Make sure all children’s toys are picked up and put away. Large yard items, like playsets or swings, should be cleaned or repaired as needed. Make sure your outdoor space is just as inviting as your indoor space. That way, your buyers will be enticed to take a closer look at the entire property!

If you are ready to start your selling journey on the Graham real estate market, it’s time to reach out to an expert local agent for exceptional results. The professional brokers at THE | AGENTS Real Estate Group are here to help you through the entire selling process. Reach out for top-tier guidance in staging and selling your beautiful property. Get started today!

_{*Header photo courtesy of THE | AGENTS Real Estate Group}