The 10 Best Staging Tips For Selling Your Home

Spring is (finally!) here, and with it, a bump in inventory and market activity. Spring and summer are some of the busiest times in real estate due to factors like nice weather and the flex for families to move between the the school year terms.

If you’re thinking of listing your home, the spring and summer are great times (although I would argue all times are good times for real estate). There are a few easy things you can do to increase your chances of a smooth sale with a nice return.

Our top 10 staging tips are as follows!

1. Enhance Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first thing a potential buyer sees, so you want it to stand out. If you have a lawn, make sure it’s manicured and spend time trimming any bushes or trees on your property. Pull weeds and consider planting some in-season flowers. If you don’t have a lawn, add a few planters out front to create a warm, inviting feel. Be sure to clean any outside living areas as well. A quick powerwash can make all the difference!

If you have shutters, give them a quick wipe or a fresh coat of paint. Also, wipe your windows and doors clean any smudges. 

2. Declutter

Let's make a great first impression. You know that storage closet that's become the homebase for all your odds and ends? Organize it! Buyers will 100% open the closet door. As a general rule of thumb, minimize and organize. Getting rid of any and all unnecessary items that could make your home look smaller or unkempt. If possible, move as many of your personal belongings to temporary storage or pack it up neatly in the basement until you’ve sold your home. 

3. Deep Clean

We love a glistening home! Before listing your home, make sure you give it a thorough cleaning - and we mean from top to bottom! Dust, vacuum, mop, spray, and scrub every nook and cranny. If you need a professional cleaner, we know just the person! 

4. Repair Noticeable Damages

Leaky faucets, loose toilet seats, squeaky hinges, broken locks, wall cracks, chipped tile - all these things are manageable and fairly inexpensive repairs that will boost your home’s value. Spend time tackling your honey-do list. The small improvements go a long way (and absolutely help you be proactive on the home inspection)!

Consider servicing your HVAC, having a roofer walk your roof, and having a qualified contractor size up any other major mechanical systems. 

5. Repaint

While vibrant colors and bold wallpapers are in, we should proceed with care. We like to keep homes as neutral as possible (think creamy whites, bright colors). A blank slate is the best canvas!

Nonetheless, we STAN for a bold wallpaper. When done right, it adds so much personality and zest!

6. De-personalize 

Our goal is to get the buyers to visualize themselves living there. Depersonalize your space and remove all personal memoribilia - family photos, eccentric artwork, unique collections, and signs of pets (dog beds, food bowls, crates). This step allows buyers to place their own personal belongings there and start emotionally connecting with your space.

7. Maximize Light

A light, airy home is an inviting home. Maximize the natural light in your home by keeping blinds and curtains open. Add floor or table lamps in places that don’t get as much light. Surprisingly enough, light will make a space feel bigger.

We'll ensure our professional photographer opens all blinds and curtains to flood the rooms with light. 

8. Pare Down Furniture

Less is more. Furniture can feel heavy and clunky depending on how it's placed in a space. Remove or rearrange furniture to optimize each space. You want every piece of furniture to feel intentional and practical! 

9. Add Greenery

Adding plants and flowers to your home is a small step that can have big results. Plants are calming and welcoming, and make your home feel like a place buyers want to be. Be sure to choose plants that are easy to maintain and won’t take up too much space or make a room feel smaller than it is. If you don’t have a green thumb, artificial plants can do the trick. 

10. Set the Mood

When a buyer walks into your home, you want them to feel like they belong there, like it’s their home. Set the mood with choice lighting, soft music, tasteful decor, and softly scented candles or diffusers. Move trash cans or recycling bins out of eyesight and try to avoid cooking anything that has a lingering smell before a home tour is scheduled — unless, of course, it’s chocolate chip cookies.

For more real estate tips and tricks, check out our blog. If you’re ready to list your home, contact us to get started!