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5 pro home staging tips to sell your home fast

When selling your home, presentation and packaging are crucial in capturing the attention of potential buyers. In real estate terms, this transformation process is called home staging.

Home staging is the practice of dressing your home for success. It involves styling your property so it appears attractive to home buyers.

Whether you have a single-family home or a luxury waterfront home, a well-staged home can lead to a quick sale. The good news is home staging doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Here are five home staging tips the pros use to sell fast:

  1. Get rid of clutter

    Decluttering gives the impression that your house is well-maintained. A clean, well-organized home will not only make the space look larger, but it will also make it more appealing. So before anyone views your home, make sure to clean out your closets, clear your countertops, thin out your shelves, and keep features neat and tidy.

    Pro tip: When decluttering your kitchen drawers and cabinets, leave only a third of the stuff you normally keep there. This gives homebuyers the illusion of having more storage space than there is – an especially useful tip if you have a small kitchen.

  2. Choose your areas wisely

    You don’t have to stage every nook and cranny of your home. Focus on high traffic rooms that buyers value the most like the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathrooms.

    Pro tip: Assume, however, that buyers will wander around the house so make it a habit to keep areas like the garage and the backyard clean and tidy at all times.

  3. Stay neutral and minimal

    The personal and excessive have no place in home staging, so avoid décor and color choices that will likely draw a strong reaction. That black and purple combo you have in your bedroom may suit your individual tastes, but it can be overwhelming to everyone else. Stick to neutral shades of white, beige, grey, tan, and in-between colors like greige.

    Pro tip: Use home accessories like pillows to add a pop of color to your muted palette. To keep the kitchen from looking antiseptic, bring out large bowls of colorful fruit like apples, oranges, and graphes.

  4. Get rid of odors

    Have you ever stepped into a beautiful home only to be turned off by how odd it smells? The scent of a home can play a big role in a home sale. When staging, make sure to neutralize all odors by throwing out all garbage, washing linen, blankets, and curtains, and keeping your pets out. Open windows to air out the home.

    Pro Tip: Use candles or diffusers to scent the home with soft fragrances. According to a study published in the Journal of Retailing, customers spend over 30% more in stores scented by citrus, herbs, vanilla, green tea, and pine and cedar. While you can’t expect homebuyers to pay more for your home, you may probably receive more offers.

  5. Take great-looking pictures

    Your first “showing” happens online, so it goes without saying that photography is crucial to home staging success. Make homebuyers want to see your property in person by posting high-quality, professional-looking photos on your listings. From the front yard to the attic, make sure you capture the best angles of every part of your home. Hire a professional real estate photographer if you must.

    Pro tip: If you live in a picturesque or desirbale locale, employ drone photography to capture the sweep of your property.

To sell your home fast and for a good price, work with an experienced real estate agent like Craig Stefanoni. He can even give you a hand with home staging. Call him today at 609.432.1104 or send him an email at cstefanoni(at)zackshore(dotted)com.