According to surveys, 66% of people planning to move prefer to purchase their next residence. As a seller, this is the audience you must appeal to. Fortunately, there are a few sure-fire tips to make your home attractive to potential homebuyers.
Freshen Up the Interior Walls
Switching up the interior color adds new life to any house. If you decide to paint, choose a light, neutral hue to make the space seem bigger.
Wallpaper is also a great choice, especially if you want a unique design. Try customizable wallpaper for your home which can be printed on demand, ensuring you get exactly what you want. Make sure you choose a peel-and-stick option to prevent damage upon removal.
Spruce Up the Yard
A neat lawn is crucial to curb appeal. The front yard is the first thing potential buyers see, and if it looks wild, visitors may assume the rest of the house is poorly cared for. To cultivate a great impression, make sure grass and shrubbery are trimmed and walkways are swept.
Enhance the Lighting
Lighting is critical for great photos and making potential buyers feel welcome. Your best source is natural lighting, but you may need backups for evening showings and overcast days. You can illuminate your home with a variety of options, including:
Table lamps
Floor lamps
Recessed lighting
Torchieres
Hang Art
The right artwork makes a home feel welcoming but not overwhelming. Professionals recommend sticking with the following:
Geometric shapes
Still-lifes
Landscapes
Abstract art
These pieces of art are sufficiently neutral and appeal to a wide variety of visitors.
Photograph Over Time
Staged photos are essential for any listing, but you should also have pictures of the empty rooms. Many buyers want to see bare rooms to gauge the space. Snap a few shots once the house is cleared out, then take more photos when the staging is complete.
Replace the Address Numbers
Address numbers are a small detail that often gets overlooked. However, choosing a neat, aesthetically pleasing plaque impresses open house visitors, and the change is relatively inexpensive. Make sure the numbers are large enough to see from the street, and the font isn't overly ornate.
Work With a Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents often have networks of professionals who can help you clean and stage your home. If you're unsure where to start, connect with experienced realtor Suzi Farajiani.
Store Off-Season Items
One of the first steps of staging is to declutter. If you have off-season clothes or decor hanging around, put them in storage. This is also a great time to donate or dump things you never use — your future self will thank you during moving, as you'll have fewer boxes to haul.
Once extraneous items are in storage, arrange your closets to emphasize their spaciousness. For example, you can condense your linens onto one shelf and remove empty hangers.
Clear Out the Entryway
Entryways can get cluttered with hats, shoes and coats, making the space seem small. To avoid this, remove your personal items before the open house. You can even add additional coat racks and hooks for guests to hang their belongings during showings.
Remove Family Photos
Potential home buyers want to envision themselves in a residence, so depersonalization is essential for the staging process. Make sure you remove items that interfere with the illusion, including:
Family photos
Kids' drawings
Trophies and awards
Getting your home into shape can be daunting, but the effect will dazzle potential buyers. Your hard work can speed up the selling process and even maximize your sale price.
Article Contribution by Julian Lane