Selling a home is like going on a first date:  You always check out your competition
in advance, clean your house in case you bring somebody home, and hide all of
your baggage because who needs to see that? 

Listing your home for sale isn’t much different, though many owners tend to forget
the basics, which is why we will review them here.

One Chance at a First Impression

Every time a potential buyer walks into your house you want to it show its best, though
many common mistakes are enough to keep buyers from returning.  The basics of
staging are: keep it clean, keep it simple, and keep it neutral.

Clean, Clean, Clean

The first thing you notice when you walk into a home is its cleanliness, which not only
includes clutter and dust/dirt, but also smells.  Hiring a house cleaner to come in and
do a thorough cleaning is a terrific idea as they will generally see (and clean) many
of the areas you might overlook because you have lived with it for the past number
of months/years.  A reputable cleaner will also be sure they do an outstanding job
so that you will refer them to your friends.

Be careful, however, to not go too far in the other direction!  Many people will have their
home cleaned and then install air fresheners in every room, which can have the
opposite effect.  Buyers may stop to comment on the fresheners or may think that you
are trying to cover up another odor – either way, you want their attention on your home,
not on the smells!

De-Clutter

This is the favorite buzz word for many Realtors, and for good reason.  The more “stuff”
you have on display, the less the buyers will be looking at the home.  Many agents will
advise sellers to start packing for the move – that will get you excited for your next home
which also gets your home in great condition for selling!  Again, you never want to
distract buyers from the actual purchase – if they are looking at your ski trip photos on
the mantle, they won’t be seeing the beautiful mantle and fireplace… guaranteed.

Paint – the Biggest Impact for the Least Money

Neutral colors are what any stager will recommend, and that does NOT mean white! 
White is a terrific color to make things look clean and simple, but very often also makes a
home look cold and sterile – the last thing you want buyers thinking.  Neutral, warm colors
are the best way to go, and you should be consistent with that color palette throughout the
home.  Think beige, slate, or sage (or a combination of those).  You’ll notice that any new or
professionally staged homes will stick with beiges and any related colors because that
appeals best to most buyers, is least distracting, and is the warmest without being
overpowering.

Work with What You Already Have

It sometimes is not necessary to buy new furniture to help with your staging.  Very often
you may need to purchase a few small items to complete the room, but usually your own
furniture will suffice.  One thing you may need to do is rearrange the way it is set up to
make the space more appealing to potential buyers. For example, “framing” a seating area
by creating an intimate conversation area will demonstrate how the room can be used
for entertaining guests.

Lighting

Opening blinds, cleaning windows, and turning on lights will all have a huge impact on a
buyer’s impression of your home.  If you have dark, heavy curtains and very few lights,
buyers will see a cave-like environment that is not very inviting.  Dirty windows will have
the same effect, keeping out light, and then the buyer may also start wondering what other
simple maintenance you have neglected.  Keep lighting fixtures clean and simple, and
replace old, burned-out bulbs to give the impression of a light, bright, well-maintained space.

Case Study

The pictures below show two nearly identical living rooms of two neighboring condominiums
in the same building.  The picture on the top shows what the condo looks like without
staging – dark, dreary, cave-like.  The picture on the bottom shows what the home looks like
with new paint, proper lighting, open blinds, and with a few pieces of staging furniture.  All
things equal, which condo would you buy?

Your Effort = Your Return

Staging a home for sale can range from simple fixes to more expensive alterations. 
Regardless of how much money you spend on preparation, the simplicity of your staging
and cleanliness of your home will have the biggest impact on getting a buyer to write an
offer.  Remember, you usually only get one shot at making a first impression, so give it
your best!