Home Staging Tips

So you want to sell your home, but are not sure what you need to do to it to get it "Showing Ready".  Well, it's actually quite simple to get a home "Show Ready" you just have to remove the emotion from it!  What do I mean by that?  No matter how long you've lived in your home, you most likely have an emotional attachment to it.  You've charted each of your children's growth history, you hung the swing in the backyard or you've rebuilt the home from the ground up!  So when it comes to staging your home, it can be very useful to seek a professional's advice on just what to do!  I can promise you, the right professional will not intent to hurt your feelings or cut down your decorating abilities.  That will certainly not be his/her intention.  The right professional will have knowledge of your area and will be able to communicate to you what will be important to potential buyers.  

Many of my home sellers do not have a large budget for re-staging and that's ok too.  If you're on a limited budget a rule of thumb is to keep it simple.  De-clutter and give your home a thorough cleaning.  Dust the fans and clean out the closets.  Yes, people do look in closets. Closet space is so important these days and the lack of it can kill a deal!  This could take some time, but will go a long way in a buyer's eyes.  Some buyers can see potential, but not all.  Most people are super busy and if they think they will have to clean and renovate a home before they can move into it, can be a big turn off!  I've had buyers tell me they are up for a renovation challenge, but then walk in and right out of a home because their idea of a renovation does not come close to what would be required of them in a particular home.  

As you're decluttering your home, make sure to remove all personal items such as family photos, awards and little Billy's drawings.  Although they can be adorable, seeing those items does not help a buyer see themselves in your home.  It still looks like YOUR home, not theirs.  It's also a great idea to remove items from the outside of the refrigerator.  Close the lid on the toilet and make sure to place clean towels on your towel racks.

For more Home Staging Tips, contact Rebecca Uson Real Estate at 616-466-0762 or www.rebeccauson.com