The Ultimate Home Staging Checklist
When you're getting ready to sell your home, staging the property is one of the most important steps to take to prepare it for showings. For those who are new to the process, home staging can feel overwhelming because of all of the steps that must be taken to ensure the interior setting shines as you show off its potential. When you're ready to get started, you can follow a staging checklist to ensure you take the necessary steps to increase the appeal of the home.
Remove Personalized Items
Monogrammed pillows and children's artwork on the fridge can remind buyers that someone is still living in the home, which can prevent them from imagining themselves living in the space. Make it a point to remove personalized items, which includes framed family photos and decor items with your last name. Create a neutral setting that potential buyers can imagine themselves living in to ensure you can sell it quicker.
Use Neutral Decor
The style of each room of the home is one of the first things buyers notice as they tour the property and can detract from the quality of the setting if you have loud or bold pieces on display. When you're home staging in Arvada and Denver area, consider using sofa covers on the furniture if it's outdated instead of having to bring in new furniture pieces.
The artwork on the walls should depict natural landscapes and calming images. If there are children's bedrooms in the home, make them look gender-neutral, so they appeal to all types of families.
Remove Clutter
Leaving clutter out will quickly turn away buyers because it will detract from the quality and appeal of your home. Whether you have stacks of papers in a home office or piles of video games in one of the bedrooms, buyers will take a mental note of the clutter and will have a hard time seeing past it.
Consider removing all of the clutter and placing it in a storage unit to keep it off of the property. Buyers are likely to inspect cabinets and closets, which is why the items need to be completely removed from each room instead of hidden away in storage areas.
You'll need to only leave a few pieces of decor out on coffee tables, dressers, and nightstands to make the home look professionally staged. Keep in mind that less is more. If there's fewer items out, buyers will have an easier time focusing on the layout of the house, the flooring materials, and the quality of the materials used in the bathrooms instead of focusing on the furnishings.
Allow Light into Each Room
One of the most common mistakes sellers make when they list their property is failing to allow enough light into the home. Dim, dark settings can be depressing and will make it harder for buyers and agents to see as they attempt to navigate the interior setting. Open up the blinds and remove heavy window treatments that can cause the space to appear smaller.
You can also choose to turn on a few lamps or lights, especially when you're preparing to photograph the home for mailers and ads. Any extra illumination that is present will create a welcoming and cozy setting.
Stage Awkward Areas
Whether you have a spare room in the back of the house or a small attic, you'll need to stage the space to show off it's potential. You can transform the space bedroom into a home gym or an office, which will increase the function and versatility of the home to ensure buyers can get more use out of it. The attic can easily be transformed into a home theater or a game room. Bring in a few furniture pieces and hang one or two pieces of artwork to help buyers envision what they could use the space for if they purchased the property.
Boost the Curb Appeal
An important task to add to your home staging checklist is to boost the curb appeal and exterior design of the property. The curb appeal is the first impression you make on agents and buyers and determines if they decide to visit the property. Consider installing new address numbers, purchasing a new mailbox, and adding potted plants to the front porch.
You can also trim or remove overgrown trees to make the house more visible from the street. Cutting back shrubs and pulling weeds will also make the yard look manicured.
Understanding what is required on a staging checklist can allow you to get the home ready to sell and feel proud to show it off. With the right items used and steps taken, you can transform the quality of the setting and allow it to become more competitive on the market.
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Are you looking to have professional home staging to sell your home quicker and for top-dollar? Request a FREE consultation with our home staging professionals to get a quote and learn more about what we offer.