Home staging: Your house is worth more than you think!

You want to sell your home quickly and for the best price possible. But how do you get future buyers to fall in love with the place? Using these tricks inspired from home staging, it’s easy to make your house more attractive, even on a budget. Here are 10 tips to help you make an impact.

[Did you know that it only takes a few seconds for people to form an opinion about a property?]

What is home staging?

Home staging is the art of showcasing a property’s best features, to sell it or rent it out. A few small renovations and some decorating and staging will give a home a facelift, drawing the eye to its strong points while camouflaging its weaknesses.

Be it for photos, a 3D virtual tour or an in-person visit, you’re looking to entice. You want to create the best impression possible and allow future owners to imagine themselves living in your home. This happens outside as well as inside, and the smallest details can make a big difference.

But rest assured, we’re not going to take on any major work. We’re talking about “relooking,” giving the place a new look. Though you can hire home staging professionals if you have the budget, there are also tried and tested techniques that are simple for you to do yourself.

So where do you start for a successful home staging? Just follow the guide!

Contents

• Budget first
• Create space
• Clean top to bottom
• De-personalize
• Make repairs that pay off
• Prioritize the most important rooms
• Embrace a colour palette
• Furnish for less
• Create a living space
• Don’t forget the outside

Budget first

Before turning things upside down, set a budget. With a little resourcefulness and creativity, you can do a lot by yourself and use what you already own. Think about it. You’re already planning to sell and move, which will involve decluttering and cleaning, among other things. By tackling some of those tasks now,  you can give your home the potential to stand out from the rest.

A good estimate of the upcoming expenses is to calculate about 1% of the property’s value. So, for a property of $300,000, a budget of $3,000 is a good base to start your home staging project.

Create space: The heart of the matter

All home staging specialists agree that you need to declutter ASAP. This is a crucial step that creates space and makes rooms look bigger. It’s something you just can’t skip!

So, what do you remove? Anything that’s extra: furniture you don’t absolutely need, out-of-season clothing, papers, toys, collections, decorations and extra bedding. Clear out drawers, cupboards and closets. Organize storage areas: these should be absolutely impeccable.

Clearly, this can be quite a challenge if you’re living in the home while it’s on the market. You might consider renting a storage space to make the job easier.

See also our 3 tips to prepare your home before selling.

Clean top to bottom

After decluttering, it’s time for a big cleanup. A clean home inspires trust. We’re not just talking about your usual cleaning routine, we mean a spring cleaning of all the rooms, floor to ceiling.

Everything that can shine, should, including taps, mirrors, windows and door handles. Even areas that can’t be seen should be dusted and polished: woodwork, fans, bookshelves, etc. It’s also time to tackle cleaning the oven and the fridge.

And lastly, all fabrics deserve a thorough cleaning, including carpets, curtains, cushions and sofas. You home is probably already starting to look quite different. Once you finish cleaning each room, give it a good airing out.

De-personalize: Like you’re not there

When you de-personalize rooms, you’re allowing potential buyers to project themselves in your living space. At no time should your tastes or personality keep them from doing that.

It’s therefore wise to remove any decorations that are overly personal, such as souvenirs from trips, family photos, religious or spiritual symbols, and clothing. And, in case your ideal buyer happens to not have pets or kids, you should also hide all toys.

In short, offering a neutral home that seems ready to live in has a much higher chance of appealing to future owners looking for their dream home.

Make repairs that pay off

We’ve all learned to live with our house’s little imperfections, but when it’s time to put it on the market, fixing them can really pay off. A buyer will give a property more value if it seems well-maintained.

Spend time on minor repairs, like holes and cracks. Touch up paint, oil squeaky doors, replace the grout between tiles in your shower.

To go a step further and add even more value to your property, read about the 3 types of renovations worth doing.

Prioritize the most important rooms

Some rooms have more value than others. The look of the kitchen, main room and bathroom has the power to convince a potential buyer. Giving them a little attention might work miracles!

As for empty or unused areas, it’s advisable to give them a purpose that buyers might like, such as a workout room, a teleworking space, a guest bedroom or a playroom for the kids.

To help you get started, here’s how to Spruce up your kitchen in 7 steps.

Embrace a colour palette

The most frequent tip when it comes to painting is to replace any bold colours on your wall with neutrals (grey, greige, white). It’s also good to cover any faded beige with white.

These simple colours not only make a room seem brighter, they also invite potential buyers to imagine creating their own home. For a décor with a bit more pop, you can paint one accent wall in a fashionable colour.

Furnish for less

You don’t need to replace all your furniture. Some pieces can be suitable, while others don’t do the space any favours. To maintain a neutral, light atmosphere, give preference to smaller furniture and remove those that are too massive.

To save money:

• Rearrange the furniture you already have
• Repair damaged furniture
• Give them new life, for instance with fresh paint or stylish handles or drawer pulls
• Find secondhand furniture from thrift or consignment stores.

Create a living space

Once you have an uncluttered, de-personalized space, you can add a few touches of life. Now’s the time to be creative, so your home gives off a happy vibe.

More light:

• Replace lightbulbs
• Open the curtains (or opt for sheers)
• Turn on lamps
• Place mirrors in strategic locations

More colour:

• Add colourful cushions that go well together
• Display a pretty vase in a strategic location
• Add a rug

More life:

• Put fresh-cut flowers in a vase
• Put a fruit basket on the kitchen table
• Replace old bars of soap with new ones
• Get rid of a stuffy smell and the odour of cleaners or perfumes

This staging requires attention to detail, but will have a major impact on your visitors’ experience. We all know that buying a home is not a rational process. Emotions have a big influence on the decision.

Don’t forget the outside

Don’t make the mistake of focussing all your attention on your home’s interior. Keep the main entrance free of clutter and snow, and put the garbage and other bins out of sight. Think of the patio like any other room in the house and give it some attention. This is known as garden staging. And finally make sure the lawn and flower gardens are well maintained. Add a few plants and a mat at the entrance to create a welcoming atmosphere.

That’s when the magic happens

Keep in mind that home staging is a process meant to lead to the sale of your home. The changes you make shouldn’t reflect your taste or style, but the needs of potential buyers. By making a good first impression, you maximize your chances of selling faster and for a better price.

Learn about these necessary steps to selling your home.

To understand how DuProprio can help you sell your property, call us at 1-866-387-7677 or watch our informational webinar.