Home Staging Tips to Captivate Buyers and Win Offers

Posted by Steve Harmer on Tuesday, June 21st, 2016 at 10:03am.

One of the first things a potential buyer does when searching for their next home is to imagine themselves in that living space.

Unfortunately, a poorly staged home makes it very difficult for potential buyers to project themselves into the property you’ve worked so hard to sell. To help, we’ve created a list of home staging tips and ideas that everyone can use.

Tip # 1: Get Rid of the Clutter

Get rid of clutter Think of a catalog and imagine what those images look like. They are perfectly staged with no unnecessary clutter. Now, that doesn’t mean having your seller empty cabinets or bookshelves, moving large pieces of furniture, etc. It simply means putting away anything that doesn’t showcase the room – dirty clothes and dishes, kids’ hockey bags, etc. A little work can make a big difference!

Tip # 2: Lights! Lights! Lights!

When possible, use the natural daylight as your light source when staging for a walkthrough or photos.Electrical lights can sometimes draw the color and vibrancy out of a room. Buyers want clean and fresh living spaces – and lighting plays an important role in setting that mood. So, open curtains or blinds to let in some of the gorgeous sunlight! If it’s a particularly gloomy day outside or the room has very few windows, make sure you use high wattage bulbs that are bright and white to really show off the room.

Tip # 3: The Inside is Just as Important as the Outside

The best tip I can give you is to remember that curb appeal is just as important as the beautiful kitchen the home has. Although not all sellers will want to invest in landscaping, painting, etc., there are small steps you can take to make the house stand out. Try planting some in-bloom flowers, raking any fallen leaves or branches, cleaning windows and patio furniture, or maybe even adding a unique garage sale find to your garden as a focal point. Although not expensive, these changes can drastically change the look of your front and back yards.

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Idea # 1: Put a Modern Twist on Traditional Curtains

Instead of leaving curtains in the traditional layout – one or two panels either down the sides or middle – try spicing it up by using a tieback on only one panel, draping a third panel across the top, adding Modern curtains a decorative finial that compliments the décor, or even tying a knot in a one-panel window curtain. Be creative! You’d be surprised by what a big difference the layout of curtains can make in a home.

Idea # 2: Replace Linens and Bedding

Make bedrooms appear to be a serene and inviting space by using neutral colors. Try using solid colors or neutral patterns instead of bold or franchise-themed linens. For example: have a teenager who is passionate about video games and shows that love with a matching bed set? Try replacing it with a solid color for photos or walkthroughs to appeal to all potential buyers. This can also apply to towels in kitchens and bathrooms. The key, really, is to play it safe and make the room as inviting as possible.

Idea # 3: Use Your Nose

When you’re showcasing the home to potential buyers, take a sniff! Make sure the home smells just as fresh as it looks. You can accomplish this by picking fresh flowers, using a subtle air freshener, or opening the windows to let in some fresh air.

The key is to look at the home from the buyer’s perspective. What sets this house apart from the other 20 they’ve probably seen already? You need to do all that you can to help a buyer envision themselves sitting in that luxury tub, cooking a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner in the update kitchen, and raising their children in the open backyard. If a buyer’s focus is on the dirty laundry piled in the corner, they’ll miss the true focal points of the home.