Can you imagine that a clean doormat or furniture that is spaced properly can make a difference to the selling price of a home? Well, they do!
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First impressions are important and make an immediate impact on the viewer, as many professionals in the field, like the estate agents in Blackheath will concur. Staging is a form of visual marketing that attracts customers. As Gordon Roberts, one of the brokers at Sotheby’s International Realty mentioned, “The object of staging is to flatter the property but not be too obvious about it, like being dressed without drawing particular attention to what you’re wearing.”
Staging a home can be a lucrative way of raising the price of a home. However, as experts like the estate agents in Beckenham will advise, it also entails disengaging emotionally from the home and looking at it through the critical eyes of a viewer, noticing the pros and cons, and then working on the negative points to make them positive.
A few staging tips are given below, which can help increase the sale price of a home.
Kerb appeal: One of the most important, but less thought of, factors is making the first view of your home appealing. Cleanliness makes the difference. The windows should be thoroughly cleaned and the garden, too. Nothing can put off a prospective buyer more than an unkempt garden or untidy outdoor space. A sturdy, neat front door with matching door knobs can offer security and at the same time be alluring to the buyer. If there is room for storage of the garbage bins, that will help too as wheelie bins can add to an untidy outlook. Most folk enjoy having lush gardens, so if there is no place for soil plants, perhaps window boxes with bright, welcoming flowers could add to the ambience.
Declutter: The home should be as empty as possible for the viewers to have a futuristic idea of how they can see themselves living there. All personal items and mementos (like photographs, fridge magnets and keepsakes) should be removed. Clothes and toys should not be left lying around. Bathroom counters should be kept bare except for hand soap.
Repairs and maintenance: Sellers should ensure that all repairs are carried out, so that every fixture is working in tip top condition. Any damaged window panes need to be replaced. Damp patches or small cracks in the plaster on walls or ceiling need to be fixed before a home is put on the market.
Painting: If your home hasn’t been painted recently, a new coat of paint can work wonders. The sight of shabby walls can be off putting. Even though you may love bright colours, for prospective buyers a neutral colour would be best, as they can then add their own touch of favourites to the base, if required. If painting is not possible, then a power wash could help attain almost the same benefit.
Furniture and space: What most prospective buyers will look for is the amount of space available, to help them assess how it can be maximised. It is important for them to see that every nook and cranny is usable. An attic could become an office or a finished basement and an entertainment room. The idea is to make the home look as spacious as possible. It is amazing how additional space can be created by either removing a few pieces of “additional” furniture or just by moving the furniture around. Placing furniture away from walls can also make the room look bigger.
Lighting: One of the perks when selling a home is for it to have good lighting. Natural light is the best, so curtains should be drawn and blinds raised. However, if natural light is not readily available, then artificial lighting can be arranged to make your home look brighter and more inviting. Just dusting the bulbs and keeping the lights on will allow more light. If there is a dark corner, perhaps a lamp on a bookshelf or table in that area will make it less dim. A mix of high, mid and low-level lighting can add to the atmosphere and homeliness of the place. Brighter lights are required in the hallways and kitchen, while lower voltage bulbs will do for the living room and bedrooms, making them cosier.
Prospective buyers: However, before proceeding with the above staging tips, it is wise to assess who would be interested in buying your home. Having an idea of which age bracket they fall into would be helpful – whether the younger generation, families or retired people. By having a rough idea, you can carry out the staging tips accordingly. If your home is open to buyers from all categories, then a general staging can be carried out.
Conclusion: There is no doubt that staging a house for presentation to prospective buyers can add to the selling price of the property. Depending on the budget, professional cleaners and advisors could be called in, to see to the cleaning and rearrangement of furniture and other fittings to provide the maximum benefit. If it is unfeasible, then by just following the above tips, a seller can stage the home to bring in the best price!
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