How to Stage Your Home Before It’s Listed

January 24, 2022

If you have ever heard the word staging when it comes to selling a home, you may have had visions of putting on a show for prospective buyers. Well, you’re on the right track! Staging your home puts it in the spotlight for those coming to showings. In addition, it gives potential buyers an idea of what each room might look like when they move in. Staging also leaves room for the buyer’s imagination to run wild. Here are a few tips on how to stage your home before it’s listed. 

 

Declutter

The first step is to clean things up. Think of this as a mini downsizing. Remove any items you likely will not need between now and your moving day. Pay particular attention to cabinets, closets, pantries, and counters. Give the illusion that your home has plenty of storage space. Look at it as early packing for the big day!

 

Depersonalize

The point of showing and staging your home is to allow potential buyers to picture themselves living in your home. That can be hard to do when family photos and personal keepsakes are on display. So take a walkthrough of your home and remove any items that identify the living space as uniquely yours. 

 

Ditch the pets

Well, maybe not literally. However, you will want to remove signs that you have pets living with you. This includes tucking away toys, feeding dishes, water bowls, and scratching posts. You may love your pets; however, they can be a turn-off for some people, especially if they are allergic. 

 

Deep clean

Your home needs to look pristine. Aim to clean so it looks like no one lives in your home. Kick dust bunnies to the curb, no smudges on the windows, sparkling countertops. You get the idea. 

 

Make spaces appear larger

Here’s a trick – add mirrors to rooms. When mirrors are on the walls, they give the illusion of a much larger room. You are trying to make your home look spacious with plenty of potential.

 

Don’t leave rooms empty

If you are lucky enough to have an empty room in your home, do not leave it empty. Instead, make unused guest rooms look usable by staging them as an office or craft room. 

 

Increase lighting

The trick here is to make your home look bright and inviting. Replace burned-out bulbs, bump bulbs up to a higher wattage if you can, clean windows, and open the blinds completely. 

 

Following these simple tips will wow potential buyers and have your house sold in no time. Still unsure of the perfect way to stage your home? I can help!! Call me at 717-253-3259 (cellphone) or visit my website at www.karentavenner.com.