5 Home Staging Tips for Open Houses

You take pride in your home and expect it to sell shortly after putting it on the market. However, no matter how fantastic your house is, it will take longer to sell if you do not make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. For this reason, house staging has become a popular option. Below are 5 tips when staging your home that, if followed, will increase the chances that it will sell.

1. Keep clutter out of sight

Obviously no one is expecting your house to be perfectly neat at all times. You live there and your belongings will be in plain sight most of the time. However, when it comes to showing your house when it is listed, the less clutter the better.

Before an open house, go room by room and remove anything that can distract potential buyers from the beauty of your interior. This includes small appliances on the countertops, cleaners by the sink, and everything off the bathroom vanity. Also make sure there is nothing on the floors, especially in the bedrooms that tend to get a bit messier than other rooms.

2. Keep it clean

In addition to removing clutter, the whole house should be clean. You only get one first impression with potential buyers and if the house is dirty, this will definitely turn them off no matter how nice it is.

Like de-cluttering, before an open house go room to room and clean. This includes sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning windows, countertops, tabletops, and mirrors, vacuuming any carpets, and dusting. A clean house will bring out its beauty and make it very appealing to those viewing it. Refrain from using cleaners that smell too much. This could indicate to potential buyers that you are trying to mask an odour.

3. Rent furniture

You are no doubt proud of the furniture you have and think it is elegant and comfortable. However, it may be a few years old or you may even have older items that are antiques or family heirlooms. While these are desirable, you may want to consider substituting other pieces for open houses scheduled at your home.

Rented furniture is more modern and with the help of your real estate agent you can get some pieces that really bring out the potential of the home. These can include dining tables, couch sets, and end tables that bring together every room that they are placed in. Houses that are staged with rented modern furniture are proven to sell faster and for more than ones that are not so this is a great investment.

4. Add some accents

Accents in a home are important yet are often neglected by many homeowners. However, if you are looking to sell, staging your home with some may be exactly what it needs to sell in a timely manner.

There are many accents you can add to the rooms in your home that will make it look great without costing you a lot of money. Rugs in dining rooms and bedrooms can pull them together and make them look significantly larger.  Stage your bathroom with lighter towels that are all the same colour. This promotes an appearance of cleanliness and order. If you have older drapes or curtains, chances are they may be heavy, making the place look dark, small, and dreary. Substitute these for something lighter in appearance and material, giving your rooms a breezy, larger look.

5. Spent time on the exterior

When selling your home, you probably spend more time making the interior look perfect and either spend less on the exterior or neglect it altogether. However, the truth is people care about curb appeal and how your house looks from the outside will make or break a sale.

Before putting your house on the market, spend time on the exterior. This includes washing windows, making sure the grass is cut, getting rid of brush and leaves, trimming bushes and shrubs, and planting flowers. Also add a few things that make the backyard look inviting including outdoor furniture, a hammock, and a fire pit.