We hate to think about it, but we realize the closing of the International Paper Mill may cause many of our friends and neighbors to look outside the area for new employment. If a move is something you’re considering in the near future, here are a few tips on how to “stage” your home to help make your home a little more marketable to prospective buyers.
Home staging is the act of preparing your home for sale by placing emphasis on the presentation of the home and its contents. Staging goes beyond making basic repairs—it actually includes making your home look as comfortable and inviting as possible to help it stand out in the minds of people who are probably looking at dozens of homes before making a decision on which house to choose.
Making repairs is an essential element of staging, as is a thorough cleaning of the home—which includes eliminating the “clutter” that can make a home seem smaller and disorganized. But don’t “de-clutter” too much. The object again is to make the home look cozy and comfortable.
One way to fully understand the staging concept is to visit model homes in new neighborhoods that are being developed throughout the area. When walking through a model, take notes on the small details that give each room extra character. Keep track of what catches your eye and try to copy that feeling in your own home.
Staging your home may mean spending a little extra money on things like accessories, a storage unit (to hide your clutter) and possibly even rented furniture if you need to move your current furniture before your home sells. According to experts, the cost of staging your home is generally made back three-fold in the sale price of the home. It also helps your home sell faster, which is a major benefit in this economy.
Here are a few other suggestions for staging your home:
- Remove “knickknacks.” Although your personal belongings mean a great deal to you, the object is to make your home appealing to the buyer.
- Neutral colors sell. If you use colors or styles a potential buyer would never select, it could turn them away.
- Clean your closets. Remove enough items from your closets so you can hang a garment without touching the garment next to it. It provides an illusion of more space.
- Keep trashcans and wastebaskets empty and don’t leave dishes in the sink or a drying rack.
- Baking cookies before potential buyers arrive adds an element of warmth to the air. You can cookie dough at your grocery store that doesn’t require much effort.
- If possible, send your pets to stay with family or friends while your home is for sale. Although most people are animal-friendly, paying more attention to your pets than your home could distract buyers. Some people are also allergic to animals.
- Turn all lights on (and make sure you have no burned-out bulbs) and leave your home when a potential buyer is coming (let your real estate agent do the selling).
If this sounds a little overwhelming for you while you’re trying to coordinate your move, there are a number of professional home stagers throughout Hampton Roads who can help. Check the yellow pages or ask a real estate professional for a reference.
