Five Last Minute Staging Tips

Moving is an exciting time for many homeowners. There are so many decisions to be made all at once including: a new home, new neighbourhoods and perhaps a new school. Having made the decision to sell, the next step is to start the process of letting go and moving on. To help you on your journey, a great idea is to hire a realtor and a home stager; two professionals that can help you sell your home quickly and for more money.

A real estate agent is responsible for helping you to determine the fair market value for your home, advertising it and arranging for interested buyers to view it. A professional home stager objectively views your home and assesses what improvements are required in order to create a look that will interest the majority of potential purchasers. A stager is trained to use specific knowledge and skills in order to present your home in its best possible light. Neutral colour schemes, amazing accessories, furniture placement, repairs, decluttering and depersonalizing are all part of the process. Professionally staging a home not only makes it stand out from its competition, but it increases the home’s value and makes it easier to market.

So now your home has been staged and listed. Great! You’re ready for the upcoming open house. Aren’t you? Living in a home that is for sale can be tricky; even professionally staged homes require some last minute tweaking. So what must you do in order to be ready for the open house this weekend? Here are 5 last minute staging tips to ensure your home is ready for potential buyers.

Staging Tip #1: Deep Clean

The most important task for any homeowner on the day of a viewing is to deep clean. Not only does a clean house show better, but a potential purchaser may wonder upon walking into a dirty home, what else you have ignored in terms of home maintenance. Unfortunately, buyers cannot see beyond the dirt, dust and grime; it is just too distracting. Even things that are often overlooked on a daily basis such as dust on a light bulb or smears on a mirror, can be a big turnoff to potential buyers. 

Staging Tip #2: Declutter

In regards to staging tips, decluttering is extremely important. In fact, similar to a dirty home, a cluttered home can be very distracting. Instead of seeing the desired features in your home, buyers will only see the detritus of your family’s life. Clutter also has the potential to make a room appear smaller, unkempt and unclean. Clutter can even make a prospective buyer question a home’s storage space, especially if closets and cupboards are stuffed upon opening. It is important to keep in mind that potential buyers are very interested in storage space and they will open every closet. 

In the kitchen, pay close attention to the counters. Ensure that all small appliances are put away, and all personal items such as mail and invoices are put in their rightful places. Remember too, to remove all magnets, paper and pictures from the refrigerator. 

In the bathroom, ensure that all toiletries are put away and that the linen closet is tidy. Hide all of your items of daily life such as toys, games, and converters in the living room. Bedrooms should showcase luxurious bedding, tidy closets and clutter-free furniture.