The Australian property market saw a surge in property valuations in 2020, a trend that has continued well into 2021. The real estate business is booming, and you need to prepare your house to look the best to attract the best potential buyers.
If you wonder why staging your home to sell is a necessary tactic, it’s because the market is competitive, and staging is a service that can help your home stand out from the crowd.
First impressions can influence the decision of potential buyers; preparing your home for sale can present it in a favorable light, giving an edge over other sellers.
The Stages of Preparing Your Home for Sale
Here are the stages you need to go through to get your house ready for sale:
1. Clean Thoroughly
The last thing you want to do is sell your home with traces of dirt and grime that can put off potential buyers. You should clean every little corner of your house, from the windows to the floors to the ceilings and everything in between.
Hire a professional cleaner if needed to be certain that buyers will not be put off by anything in your home.
You should also make sure that the smell of your house is clean and fresh. Use scented candles or incense to add a festive scent to your abode. But be careful not to use anything too strong as it might irritate potential buyers who have a sensitive sense of smell.
2. Identify and Make Necessary Repairs
Every home goes through wear and tear, especially if it has been lived in for years. Take stock and get minor issues fixed, such as creaky door hinges, leaky faucets, cabinets, or drawers that don’t close all the way.
Ignoring these issues may lead the buyer to think that other things may be wrong with the property. If your property is too old, work with a contractor who can inspect your home thoroughly and provide efficient household repair work.
3. Depersonalize Your Space
When a potential buyer comes to your home, they should be able to picture themselves living there, having their belongings neatly tucked in the space. Unfortunately, having your personality spread all across the home could hinder the buyer’s imagination.
Depersonalize the space by removing family pictures, diplomas, hobby supplies and other objects of sentimental value.
4. Declutter Your Space
Cluttered rooms with furniture, overflowing cabinets, collections of books strewn around do not make for a good picture. If you project the house as spacious with plentiful storage, the buyer will be more inclined toward it.
Organize all your belongings, rent a storage unit and temporarily store furniture offsite. Make space for buyers to walk around freely.
5. Make the Rooms Look Bigger and Brighter
Once you have purged your house of unnecessary items, it’s time to add in some light and space. Open up spaces like closed doors, blinds and curtains to let the sunshine in and make a room appear larger than it is.
If there are no obstructions or barriers between different parts of the house, it will make rooms seem larger and present a more welcoming appeal to potential buyers.
6. Give Your Walls a New Coat of Paint
Freshly painting your walls with neutral colors makes it appealing to a large audience base. Different shades such as white, beige, light gray can open up a room and make it look bigger.
The color palette works well with most styling preferences. In addition, buyers can imagine how their belongings will fit into the space. So keeping the color of the walls neutral helps attract potential buyers.
7. Add Some Extra Amenities
Once you have decluttered and freshened up your house, you should add a few extra amenities that might make the place look more appealing to potential buyers.
You can install a new dishwasher or washer and dryer unit to keep the value of your house high. Also, consider adding upgraded kitchens or storage space if you want to sell it for a higher price.
8. Spruce Up the Curb and Backyard
A freshly trimmed lawn, clean walkways, flower pots at the front of the house makes the whole experience of walking from the car to the front door memorable.
A well-maintained backyard improves the value of your home. With both the interior and exterior taken care of, the design consistently flows through your space.
You should also make sure that the driveway is in good condition so potential buyers can arrive at your place safely. If your garage door is old and worn out, you might want to consider replacing it to enhance the overall look of your abode.
9. Get Professional Home Staging Services
A professional home staging company will style your home and bring out its positive features. They can figure out the best layout and furniture placement to bring in more light and create space.
Depending on the company, the range of services could include painting, electrical, flooring, gardening, cleaning and styling, among others.
If you’re still wondering why staging your home to sell is a good approach, the straightforward answer is: it adds value to your home, helping your property get off the market sooner and at a better price. You could book a free styling consultation session to understand the benefits of staging.
