Charlottesville Real Estate

Staging to Sell

Getting your home staged and ready to sell is my specialty.  My listings have greater appeal as a result of staging.  Here are a few of my top staging tips:

1. Bring them in from the curb! Buyers look at prospective homes online and even drive by to help decide if they want to schedule a showing. You don’t have a second chance to make a good first impression. Make sure your front yard is neat and manicured and send the message to buyers “this home has been maintained and cared for.” Inspect the front door and porch, could they stand a new coat of paint or sprucing up? A potted plant and NEW door mat all send a welcoming message to house hunters.

2. When in doubt, take it OUT! Less furniture is better when selling your home. Your house should appear spacious and open to allow the best features of the home come through. Open areas allow people to move unencumbered as they tour. Take a look at the art on the walls. Many times one large piece of art has more impact than smaller pictures scattered on the wall. You can never go wrong with a mirror in a simple frame.

3. Clear the Clutter! Limit the “things” that are sitting around in the house. Clean off kitchen and bathroom counters, throw away old magazines and newspapers, pack up special collections for safe keeping and generally pare down accessories. You DO NOT have to erase your personality, but you do want buyers to focus on the features of the house and not be distracted by the decorating.

4. Paint! A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to update a room and give it a fresh new look. Pick a couple rooms that may look worn or have very taste specific bold colors and repaint with a neutral color that will have broader appeal. Paint will change the whole dynamic of a space.

5. Lighten Up! Allow natural light to flow in by removing heavy or layered window treatments. Simple curtains or blinds let buyers see outside views while making the space appear open and airy. Replacing outdated or overly ornate light fixtures can also update a room quickly.

6. Make it Shine! Make sure your home is “white glove clean.” Go over the house top to bottom and give it thorough attention. Pay particular attention to any odors that may linger in the house. Nothing turns off a buyer quicker than dirt or odors, many will not even consider buying your home if they encounter one or the other.