5 Ways to Impress Home Buyers with Your Home Staging

Selling a home is a time and resource-intensive process that often takes months of preparation and marketing. Sellers listing their Greensboro homes for sale should always stage their homes to impress buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), those who invest 1.3% in staging can earn listing returns totaling 7.1%. Take advantage of all the perks of staging with the five tips below.

A home must be spotless for home staging to have the desired effect. Start cleaning by mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, and wiping down windows. Be sure to dust off shelves, light fixtures, and fans. Sellers should also wash out stains in furniture and wipe off the scuffs on walls. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these dirty rooms can appear unclean.

Often a homeowner becomes nose blind to smells in the home that a buyer will notice. Take out the trash, clean a pet’s belongings, and store shoes out of the way to eliminate any lingering smells. Buyers who enter a clean home can rest assured that the house has been well maintained and is more likely to consider the property seriously.

Home staging acts as a blank canvas for buyers who enter the home. Having excess clutter on shelves, belongings piled up in baskets, or overflowing closets and cabinets will distract a buyer during a home showing. It may also give the impression that the home isn’t large enough to accommodate them. Sellers should sort through belongings and donate or store them in a temporary unit for a spacious look.

Reminders of a home’s current residents also distract a buyer while visiting a property and may make it harder for them to imagine a home as their own. Depersonalize the whole house by taking down family photos, memorabilia, and other personal décor items that are too eccentric or personalized.

Professional agents like Lisa Rivera of The Avalon Realty Group can provide expert tips to sellers for a cohesive design. This group of quality agents has a specialized understanding of the buyer pool in the area and will use this information to prepare homes accordingly. They also use their access to professional sources like a local MLS to assess the competition and make their client’s property stand out.

One way to form a cohesive design is to implement a neutral color palette in each room. Add a few pops of color in wall art, throw pillows, or fresh flowers. Home stagers should keep room accessories to a minimum and use repetitive items to create a sense of flow. Consistent lighting also dramatically affects a room’s appearance and mood. Make sure artificial lights are the same color temperature and wattage.

Not all rooms are equal regarding a buyer’s interest and the impact of staging. Sellers should prioritize the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen when staging their home to impress buyers. Follow the tips below when designing these areas.

 

A living room should appear open, tidy, and inviting. Highlight a room’s size by property furnishing the area. This may mean renting more furniture or removing pieces to open up walkways. Pieces should be oriented around a focal point like a television or fireplace. You can also mount curtains near the ceiling rather than along the top of a window to emphasize a room's height. Ensure tabletops aren’t too cluttered with books or accessories and that electric cords are tucked away.

 

The primary bedroom is an integral part of the home where most people spend at least a third of their time. Aim for somewhere between a cheerful and relaxing mood by fitting beds with higher quality linens and adding extra pillows or blankets for a lush look. Ensure bedside tables are clear of wires or papers and that dirty laundry is tucked away. Use a light color palette featuring light blues, grays, creams, and pale yellows for a calming effect.

 

The kitchen is a coveted area of the home that sellers should take extra time and care to stage. A kitchen should always be spotless and free of any odors. Buyers will look through a kitchen’s cabinets and drawers, which should be organized. Highlight counter space by clearing off appliances from table tops. One of the most valuable open house tips for sellers is to provide light refreshments in the kitchen. This showcases the space and helps attendees to relax.

Sellers listing their Greensboro homes for sale should maximize the city’s natural beauty and seasonal weather by amping up curb appeal. Those living in residential areas with extensive natural amenities will want to be especially mindful of curb appeal, as an untended yard may create a poor first impression. Start by mowing lawns, trimming vegetation, and sweeping off walkways.

Prepare the front entryway to look inviting for buyers by cleaning off the door and polishing the hinges, doorknob, and doorbell. If the door seems especially worn, a seller may want to repaint it. Clear away any cobwebs or leaves collected in the corners of the walls, then replace an old doormat with a new one. A pot of flowers or a welcome sign is also a nice touch.

Sellers should always stage their homes to impress buyers. At a minimum, you should clean the interior and exterior for a spotless look and design in a neutral and cohesive style. Greensboro residents should also pay attention to curb appeal, especially in more residential areas. Those short on time should prioritize the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen for the best results.

 If you’re ready to list your home in Greensboro, contact experienced agent Lisa Rivera to guide you. Lisa and her team at The Avalon Realty Group specialize in home sales in neighborhoods throughout North Carolina. See what their clients are saying, and contact Lisa when you want to begin your successful home sale.