10 home staging tips that will help you sell your home quicker

Are you searching for a new home but also need to sell yours? In many areas, the real estate market is booming and homes are selling quickly. The homes that sell for more money and faster are generally well maintained or “show well.” That’s why I’m sharing my 10 best home staging tips with you!

The list is pretty long, but if you just tackle one item at a time, trust me, it will be worth it.

1) Declutter

Think of your home as a model home. Things not being used should be stored. For example, put away clothes and shoes not being used. Pack up extra toys if you have children. Organize closets and they will appear roomier.

I recommend having a closet no more than two thirds full. If you have too much clutter it will appear like the home is small. Also, remove family photos and personal knick-knacks. Get rid of any houseplants that are not in good health. And remember to keep the garage tidy, too.

2) Clean from top to bottom

Kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms should sparkle! Carpets should be freshly cleaned. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes so pay special attention to these areas. Make sure you also wash your windows so you have plenty of natural light flowing into your kitchen.

3) Remove some furniture

Many people have too much furniture or too large, and it makes their space look small. If furniture is in front of windows or too close to doors, chances are the piece should be removed. Can you eliminate extra chairs from a dining table in a small room? Is there an extra dresser in the bedroom or an outdated television that can be removed? You need to create a space that seems liveable for anyone - not just you.

4) Expose the view

If you have a pleasing view of the outside and/or beautiful windows, then open the window treatments to show it off. On the other hand, you have a view that is not too pleasing, you may be able to disguise it with an attractive blind or drapery.

5) Spend some time in the yard

The grass should be cut and void of brown, thinning areas. Prune trees and gardens and keep them free of weeds. Add some fresh garden plants if needed for colour, and decorative pots with plants. In winter months, ensure your driveway and pathways are free from ice and snow.

6) Let your home breathe

Open windows daily to keep the air fresh. Do not use artificial air fresheners, especially the plug-in kind! Some people (me included) don’t care for the artificial smell. And disguising odours can be concerning to a buyer. Make sure pets, their areas and any litter boxes are clean. Shampoo carpets if they are stained or dirty.

7) Control the temperature

Is it a hot day? Then put the air conditioner on. It is not pleasant to be viewing a home and perspiring. It makes you want to bolt out of there.

8) Paint the walls

Repaint using neutral colours. At the very least, make sure the walls and woodwork are clean. I am amazed at the number of comments I hear from buyers who say they like the paint colour! To me it is an easy thing to paint once you move in, however many potential buyers either don’t want to do the work or can’t visualize what the home will look like painted and refreshed.

9) Accessorize very minimally

Via Pinterest

A neutral palette allows buyers to picture their own style in the home. You should still add splashes of colour though to show off the potential of the space. Just don’t go overboard. The saying “less is more” definitely applies when preparing your home to sell.

10) Have that something special

Via Pinterest

It is great to have a house that stands out from another...in a good way. So if you have some special feature about your home that stands out it may be helpful. For example, a soft yellow front entry with an attractive wreath on the door. Other ideas are themed rooms; such as a sewing room, sports room, games room, backyard retreat etc. When I am designing model homes, I try to have at least one element in every room that makes someone say, “wow, I like this.”

As a general rule, if you feel you don’t want to make the effort to complete most of the tips on this list, the potential buyer is likely thinking the same thing. And since most real estate agents show their clients online listings before touring, it’s important to draw people in with attractive photos of a well staged home.

It has been proven that well staged homes sell faster and for more money. Good luck with your sale and congratulations on getting it sold! See more staging ideas on my Pinterest board.

Jo-Ann Capelaci is president and principal interior designer of Colours & Concepts Inc. The award winning company specializes in model homes and colour and upgrade selections for builders. They have been helping new home buyers choose finishes for their homes for over 20 years. Jo-Ann is dedicated to helping new home buyers create a model home feeling in their new home. Look for future articles on other topics to assist in decorating and designing your new home.