Home Staging -a few quick things you can do to up your home’s appeal to potential buyers

Home staging is a valuable practice that prepares your home to be sold by making it look its best to home buyers. For any seller, home staging is an important part of the selling process. Staging can help you get even more value for your home and will help your listing to stand out in our hot real estate landscape. Think of it this way: A buyer who sees a cluttered, lived-in, messy home is less likely to walk in and think, “Yes, this is the one!” As a seller, it’s important to appeal to buyers in every way possible, which is through a well thought out, welcoming home.

Why Staging is Important

Staging homes is almost a necessity in the GTA real estate market. Staging is even growing in popularity in the rental industry! Potential buyers (or renters) want to be able to walk into a home and be able to visualize living there. Staging shows off the full potential of the home by setting it up in a way that is simple, stylish, and trendy. It allows buyers to imagine what it would be like if this was the house they were coming home to.

Sometimes home staging may require a small amount of investment – some repairs, upgrades to fixtures, or even rentals or hiring a professional. However, the value you get from home staging will often offset this cost once you sell your home.

You only get one chance to make a first impression! And, in the real estate industry, first impressions are everything.

YOURSELF VS HIRING PROS

A lot of home staging can be done yourself, however, there are times when it’s best to call in the pros. A professional Home Stager knows what buyers are looking for, what’s in trend, and how to highlight the features of your house they know will sell - this expertise can help get your home sold for top dollar.

Hiring a professional isn’t necessary for everyone. Some people may be fully able to stage their home themselves (we all have a friend or family member who has an eye for decorating!) or some sellers may not have the budget to hire a professional. Your real estate agent should be able to guide you with this decision, and even provide you with some DIY tips for staging.

Here are a few quick things you can do to up your home’s appeal to potential buyers:

5 quick DIY home staging tips

1. Declutter & Depersonalize

Get rid of all that clutter and put your personal items into storage if you must. Put away family photos and any other things that may prevent buyers from seeing this home as their future home

2. Clean, Clean, Clean

Scrub those shower stalls, get the bathroom sparkling, power wash the siding and deck – get everything in tip top shape!

3. Simplify the furniture

Your house is functional for your needs and family, but buyers want to see space and simplicity.

4. Give the master bedroom some TLC

An amazing master bedroom can sometimes make or break a buying decision. If you were thinking about upgrading your bed or headboard, it may be a good time to do it before you sell your home and use it as a staging tool.

5. Don’t forget the outside

Curb appeal is important with staging as well, and don’t forget to give the outside of your home some love.

Home staging is the best way to prepare your home to be sold. Taking the extra time, or extra investment, will pay you back in so many ways – by allowing your house to be sold quickly and for it's top value.