Staging your home: Helpful steps you may have missed

It only took your neighbor two weeks to sell his home, so yours will go just as fast, right? Not necessarily. And not because their house is better or cheaper than what you have to offer, either. It all comes down to how buyers see the property. 

Staging a home is preparing your house to look its best to potential buyers. According to a National Association of Realtors®’ 2021 report, 82% of buyers said home staging helped them visualize the domicile as their own. 

Staging doesn’t mean you need to remodel the kitchen or replace the carpets. In fact in the same report, 27% of buyers said they were more likely to overlook possible problems when viewing a staged home. With that in mind, KSL Homes breaks down some simple suggestions for selling your home with maximum results.

Chuck it (or store it)

Buyers want to envision themselves in your home, so take out anything that shouts “ME!” That includes family pictures on the stairwell, knickknacks lining the fireplace, religious art and anything else that tells the story of who you are. 

Staging a home is about making it look like a livable space, but not about a place someone actually lives. Achieve that by removing anything cosmetically unattractive, especially during showings. 

Quick fixes

• Kitchen counters: Put small appliances  — toasters, coffee makers, etc. — in a cupboard. This maximizes counter space, so buyers can picture themselves chopping vegetables or rolling out sugar cookies with the kids.
• Bathroom counters: Clear toiletries from countertops and showers shelves. Empty the trash. Or better yet, hide the trash can. Hang up new towels, because no one wants to see your soggy one dangling from a hook.
• Refrigerator door:  Yep, your child is a talented artist, most gifted student, etc. etc. But buyers tend to think that of their own kids — let them live in ignorant bliss. Clear away all the pictures, report cards, invitations and inspirational quotes.
• Clean out closets: Your home should look like it has ample storage space, so purge non essentials. Remove winter coats for summer and tennis rackets during winter. Bedroom closets should be pared down, too. Good time to donate those pants you’ve outgrown and shoes you haven’t worn for years.
• Shelves: Basically, go minimalist with your decor and definitely abolish kitsch.

Besides decluttering actual things, clear out excess furniture as well. That china cabinet blocking the entryway? Sure, you don’t mind walking around it, but buyers will see a cramped space. The oh-so-comfy recliner no longer in its prime? Best to get rid of it, too. Rent a storage unit to put your extra stuff while you’re selling. Consider it pre-packing for your future move.

Clean, like, a lot

There’s mother-in-law is coming over clean, and then there’s 5-star hotel clean. You’re going for the latter here. Dust, from ceiling fan blades to baseboards. Wipe greasy fingerprints, from lightswitch covers to cupboard doors. Make your home shine.

This is probably the most intense — and tedious — work for staging a home,  but it can bring great dividends. More than one-quarter of Realtors surveyed by the NAR found a staged home increased sales offers by 1-5% over homes that weren’t. And, if you don’t have the time — or just don’t want to — hire a home cleaning service.

It isn’t necessary to go to great expense when staging. Replacing tired carpet may seem like a good idea, but buyers may not like your choice and end up ripping it out anyway. Instead, rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional service to give your floors a deep clean. 

Keeping up appearances

Cleaning is no one-and-done operation when trying to sell your home. Do a daily run through before heading to bed or leaving for work.

• Pick up toys, papers, etc.
• Put dishes away and wipe down counters, stovetop and microwave
• Wipe all faucets and door handles with a clean cloth for a quick shine
• Hang up coats, clothes, etc.
• Sweep floors
• Straighten couch pillows, store blankets in baskets

Paint by the numbers

If you have an eclectic style, good for you. But buyers may not be interested in vibrantly colored walls and loud curtains. A quick internet search will tell you, real estate agents believe homes painted in neutrals such as white, cream, gray and taupe tend to sell the quickest. Before you panic and think you need to redo the entire house, know that the living room, kitchen and master bedroom are the most crucial rooms for buyers, according to the 2021 NAR home staging report. Focus on those.

Touch-up equals touch down

Grab a roll of painter’s tape — it’s easy to remove later — and walk through your home, paying attention to walls, doors and fixtures. When you see any nicks, dents, holes or other flaws, slap a piece of tape on it so it’s easy to find. Then go back over all those spots with a little caulk and/or a bit of paint.

Brighten your stage

If you want to know what a house looks like, you need to be able to see it. When buyers are coming over, open all curtains and blinds, then turn on all the lights. Even before potential owners arrive, do some prep work.

Heavy curtains are great for blocking light when you’re sleeping, but they can also make a place feel small and dark. Keep opaque curtains wide open, or perhaps replace them with a sheer version. If you’re still rocking heavy valances, consider taking them down altogether, along with any other dated window treatments. Don’t think about how much you originally spent on those vertical blinds, focus on how quickly you’ll be selling your home.

Also, wash your windows inside and out. Remember the cleaning mantra above? Make them sparkle. A dingy view of the backyard may be worse than no view at all. 

Fresh as a daisy

No matter how good your home looks, a weird smell is off-putting. Open the windows for a few minutes each day to let it air out. Using an air freshener on the lowest setting can be effective, but your tastes may be objectionable to others. Opt to freshen naturally  — run a lemon or a couple of limes through the garbage disposal shortly before potential buyers arrive. 

Curb appeal is real

Don’t forget first impressions. New landscaping isn’t necessary, but your yard should look cared for. Mow and trim the lawn as needed, keep flower beds weeded and the driveway clear of debris. Same goes for the backyard. If you have a deck or patio, keep it swept clean and any furniture neatly arranged. A pot of fresh flowers on the table or in the corner adds a nice touch, but only if you’re committed to taking care of it.

Put a little time and effort into staging your home, and you’ll boost your selling power. Now list your prepped palace on KSL Homes, where you can set the price, add some photos and describe the highlights in perfect detail.