The home staging industry has truly exploded in the last decade or so. The number of professional home staging companies has blossomed as well, and it’s becoming more and more common for homeowners and agents to enlist the help of pros when it comes time to prep a home for success on the market.
Even though hiring a professional stager may be the better option for some, it’s still entirely possible to achieve success in your staging efforts by doing it yourself. If you are seeking open house tips for sellers, follow these staging techniques to create a truly phenomenal space that’s sure to impress prospective buyers.
Simplify and de-personalize the interior
The first way to create an intriguing space is to make it as easy as possible for buyers to visualize their own lives within the home. You may have a collection of beloved artworks or personal items that you’d like to show off to buyers and invite them in, but research shows that buyers think otherwise. Many prospective buyers have a hard time emotionally connecting to a space that’s cluttered with the seller’s personal items.
The better plan is to remove as many personal attachments as possible and clear out the living spaces. Feel free to leave two or three points of interest that will draw the eye across the space, but hold off on any more. Simplicity is the name of the game.
Experiment with fresh furniture arrangements
Another tactic to invite in more buyers is to rethink the way that you’ve organized your furniture. You can make the home more visually exciting with a few experimental arrangements. Try some of these:
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Clear the central third of large rooms, and position sofas and benches on the perimeter
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Situate chairs and couches in conversational areas of three or four units
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Reposition decorative tables behind large sofas to better present tabletop artwork or floral arrangements
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Accentuate traffic flow by clearing the passages from room to room
Clear space for a home office
The pandemic had countless effects on our at-home lifestyles, but one of the most noticeable changes has been the number of us who work from home. Many buyers are seeking a home office space on their house-hunting journey. If you have the option to repurpose a large closet, guest bedroom, or side room into a home office (or a mixed-purpose room with an office element), it could be a wise decision.
Maximize the storage space
Homeowners want to see that there’s room in the house to expand, grow, and clear space for whatever the occasion may be. One of the best ways to demonstrate that your home has extra room is to accentuate the size and comfort of your storage spaces. Storage has consistently ranked highly among buyers’ lists of demands.
You can help buyers visualize that desire by repainting large storage areas, swapping out used bins and boxes with stylish upgrades, and varying the type of storage systems you use. For example, create a patterned effect by alternating between linen bins, cloth dividers, and rigid rubber boxes. It’s an opportunity to introduce some whimsy and creativity into the sale.
Pay attention to the bathrooms
One of the first rooms that homeowners will survey is the bathroom. So, an important open house tip for sellers is upgrading the bath, shower, tub, toilet, and counters. Install fresh metallic faucets that sparkle and shine, and consider replacing old mirrors and vanity lights with modern ones. Refresh moldy caulk and grout from the sink and tub. Finally, if the paint color scheme is dated, now could be the time to swap it out with a brilliant white or eggshell.
Eliminate odors
We get so accustomed to the scents and odors of our living spaces that it can be nigh-on impossible to recognize that they could be offensive. This is especially true if you’re the proud owner of a dog or cat.
Be sure to vacuum and thoroughly clean all rooms before each tour. Pet owners should try to invest in a professional carpet cleaner to remove odors. Invite your buyers in with a pleasant aroma by presenting flowering plants right by the front door. Keep the home ventilated throughout the day, and resist cooking foods with a strong smell. Scented candles can be used strategically. What’s more, it’s essential to survey the home for any mold or pet-bound allergens. You’ll need to remove all of those before hosting any open houses.
Focus on natural lighting and neutral tones
Another open house tip for sellers is to consider the overall lighting situation in the home. If you’re blessed to have expansive, ground-floor windows, take the time to professionally clean them. Swap out old curtains for ones that match the interior walls. When redecorating, look for features and paint colors that breathe light and an open feeling into the larger rooms.
Consider repainting the living rooms and shared spaces in neutral tones that brighten the light coming through the windows. When focusing on your lighting fixtures, stick with bulbs that produce warm light. Spread out the light sources so that you have at least three in each room: one from nature, one from an accent piece, and one that’s between the two, like a reading lamp or pendant light.
Don’t forget the curb appeal
The final way to impress home buyers is perhaps the most important. Curb appeal can make or break your sale, so it’s vital that you spend some time improving it. A few typical ways to boost ROI and your sale price here include:
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Filling cracks in the driveway
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Repainting the front door and detailing the home number
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Replacing old greenery with fresh hedges around the perimeter
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Planting a small herb garden in the backyard
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Introducing accent pieces with bright annual plantings
Reach out to a local real estate agent today
If you are ready to begin your selling journey, or if you have questions about expertly staging your Destin luxury home for the 30A real estate scene, get in touch today! Contact the Justin Myers Team for professional guidance every step of the way.
*Header photo courtesy of Unsplash
