Staging - Before/After

When you are ready to sell your house, it would be best to "stage" it before you put it on the market. To "stage" your home is to show the most attractive qualities of your residence to buyers, and thus make the sale of your house a smoother process. Here are some tips on how to "stage" your home - ideas that do not require spending a lot of money. 

The paint job is one of the first things a potential buyer notices. If the paint is peeling, buy some paint and go to work. But, before you do, repair the nicks and dents and get rid of the peeling old paint first, otherwise, it might look worse than before. The time and energy you spend on this detail will definitely produce surprising results and payoff in the end. The color scheme you choose is also very important. Try to choose some neutral and warm colors, with matching color for the trim. Make your house stand out from the others on your street. Also, improve the curb appearance of your house by trimming back the bushes so your house is not obscured from view. A neat and tidy front yard says "Welcome Home" to potential buyers. 

The way you live in a home and the way you sell a house are two different things. We all have some clutter in our homes. There is nothing wrong with that. But when you are trying to sell your home, it is a brand-new ball game. 'De-clutter' your house. This step costs the least, yet it will really pay off. Pack the extra things in boxes and stack them neatly in one corner of the garage. Rooms crowded with plants, knickknacks or too many pieces of furniture look smaller. Removing extra things will help emphasize the spaciousness of the house and make it easier for buyers to mentally move their things into your home. If it is a vacant property you are trying to sell, after doing the appropriate steps mentioned above, you may consider to further "staging" the house by renting a little furniture to place in the residence. This will give it a warm family atmosphere, and potential buyers will feel more at home when they come to view it. 

Here are some of the Before/After photos for a property recently sold, you will see what the transformation the staging process can offer

As I have mentioned, "staging" a property usually does not mean spending a lot. But, the time and energy you spend in getting your house ready to sell will earn you money!