Dressed for Success:
Open House Staging Secrets Most Sellers Miss
You never get a second chance to make a great first impression! With that in mind, when it’s time for your open house you want to make the most of the opportunity. Here are some of the home staging secrets most sellers miss when preparing for an open house event.
Winning Strategies
Your first strategy when staging your home for sale is to think about presentation. You are not trying to show off your personal sense of style, your best china, or your home entertainment system. In essence, you want to dress your home in a manner that is neutral, uncluttered, and clean. Think about how hotels look, and that they are designed to appeal to basic standards of comfort and attraction. Keep in mind that homes in Phoenix, Arizona, sold on average for $250,000 in the last month. The market is competitive, and you want every edge you can get.
Curb Appeal
Chances are you’re familiar with the term curb appeal, which is important because it’s the first thing buyers see when they are house hunting is the outside. They will make a snap judgment of whether they even want to look inside, so you need to start your open house preparations with your home’s exterior. Remove all the extraneous objects like skateboards, garden decorations, tools, and equipment, and throw away anything you won’t take to your next home. Tidy your shrubbery, manicure your lawn, and clean your flowerbeds. Spread fresh mulch, spruce up your mailbox area, wash your siding, and refresh the paint on your front door. If your entryway is dated or tired, replace the hardware, fixtures, and welcome mat. Remember, you want buyers to want to see what’s inside, so make your curb appeal count.
Edit Clutter
Both inside and outside your home, it’s important to present the space as uncluttered and open as possible. That extends to your storage, so in the process of decluttering, pare down extra furniture, decorations, wardrobe, and the like, and remember that buyers will look in every nook and cranny. Jam-packed closets and storage make it appear your house lacks space. It’s important to show them your home’s best assets, so store as much offsite as possible.
Depersonalize
Staging with a neutral decor helps buyers to envision living in your home. When staging your house for an open house event, Moving.com points out a key point is removing your personal photos, any religious paraphernalia, sports memorabilia, and refrigerator art — anything that reminds buyers you live there and they don’t. You should also tone down your sense of style. Decorations and bold colors should be kept to a minimum. Paint walls in light, neutral hues.
Rearrange
The three rooms buyers look at most closely tend to be the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen. Those rooms should get your best efforts, and when it comes to tidying them up, HouseLogic suggests symmetrical, balanced furniture arrangements. Pull furniture from the wall for a spacious feel, and make sure traffic patterns flow. It’s also important to highlight your home’s best features; for instance, if you have a great view, stage rooms to show it off — and make sure your curtains are open. If you have a great fireplace, ensure it takes center stage. Don’t let buyers miss the best points of your property.
Clean and Repair
Buyers want a home that is move-in ready. If your property has any signs of disrepair, you need to mend those issues before your open house event. You should also present your home as spotlessly clean. Any dirt, debris, or maintenance concerns speak neglect in the mind of the prospective buyer. If you don’t have the time to do it all, Money Crashers recommends hiring professionals to do your cleaning and home repairs.
Make the most of your open house event. Repair, clean, tidy, declutter, and refresh everything, inside and out. Dress your home to appeal to buyers, and you’ll be set up for success!
Intergenerational Homes
Buying a House for Everyone’s Lifestyle and Needs
Caring for an aging parent often means a new living situation for the parent or for your entire family. Here’s how to tackle this major chore without stressing everyone involved.
Define needs. Your upcoming living arrangement will be defined by the needs of your family. Before embarking upon your house-hunting endeavor, make a list of your family’s needs and wants. Ask yourself:
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How many bedrooms do we need?
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Will my aging parent(s) live in the main home or a separate structure?
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Do I have access to healthcare specialist?
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Does the neighborhood offer amenities appropriate for my children’s ages?
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