Simple , inexpensive staging strategies
• Clear out the clutter , especially in bathrooms and closets . Clear out the clutter in each room in the house before hosting an open house . Note that it ’ s not just bedrooms and living rooms that should be made to look open , spacious and clutter-free . A luxurious , hotel-quality bathroom that ’ s open and airy can impress buyers , as can organized closets that are not jam packed with clothing , shoes and other wardrobe items that have a tendency to take over closets the longer someone lives in a home .
Staging has long been part of selling a home , and for good reason . When selling a home , it makes sense for sellers to make their homes as appealing as possible , even if a recent study indicates that staging may not compel buyers to offer more money .
Researchers at Old Dominion University and Johns Hopkins University found that staging did not have a significant effect on the actual revealed market value of a property . However , homeowners should not interpret that as a reason to skip staging . In fact , the study ’ s authors note that staging gave buyers more favorable impressions of a property , which might accelerate the selling process .
Staging a home need not be difficult . In fact , homeowners can employ several simple and inexpensive staging strategies to entice buyers to make offers on their homes .
Photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash
• Let the sun shine in . A home that ’ s bright and airy tends to appear more spacious and livable than one in which the windows and blinds are closed . Before hosting an open house , open the blinds and crack some windows if the weather permits .
• Start right inside the front door . A welcoming , clutter-free foyer or primary entryway makes a strong first impression , immediately giving buyers an idea of what it will be like to welcome their own friends and family into a home should they buy it . If you hang your coats on a coat rack in a foyer or entryway that does not have a closet , remove the coat rack before hosting an open house . Coat racks can make the space feel cramped . If there ’ s room , place a small table and bench just inside the door .
• Take care of the yard . You only get one chance to make a first impression , and the first thing buyers will see when they pull up outside your house is the exterior of your home . Landscaping is important , and a well-maintained yard suggests to buyers that owners have taken pride in their homes , and that may extend inside the home . Make sure the grass is freshly cut , shrubs and trees have been trimmed , bald spots in the lawn have been addressed , and exterior living spaces have been cleaned and cleared of clutter .
Staging a home sounds complicated . But there are various simple and inexpensive ways to make a home more attractive to prospective buyers . n
32 February | March 2023 Thomasville Scene