home staging

Home Staging

We recommend house sellers show their property in the best possible way so the have a better chance to sell your property quickly and at best price, helping you make the right move.

Home staging is preparing a home (inside and out), concentrating on it`s appearance and presentation. That is not the same as doing the repairs to the property.

The home must be presented in a way to have maximum appeal to the potential buyer. The seller would be wise to imagine they are the buyer, how does your own house come across?

Are you impressed?

The property needs to appeal to the largest possible amount of viewers and buyers. Sellers may ask `do I need to bother staging my home, it`s a lot of time and effort, is it worth it? This may be asked particularly when selling market conditions are favourable.

Answer is yes, most definitely. Home staging, can and will, sell your home quicker. It helps you think like a buyer, it justifies the asking price, it focuses the mind in terms of de-cluttering the property.

In short, it is all to do with the psychology of buying and creating the right impression in the buyer`s mind.

Let us with the outside, the very first impression, when the viewer arrives. Can you find a friend or relative who can stand outside and give an honest assessment of what needs improving? Perhaps this impartial viewpoint can be useful.

We don`t need to think of great expense but can we see if the paintwork is in need of renewing? This may apply to the garage door, front door, fascias, window frames etc, try and standardise the colours on view, match them where possible.  Perhaps there is wood visible that is splitting or even rotted. Sanding down, treating or filling can be worthwhile.  

Remove all debris and litter from your driveway or front lawn (if you have one). If your driveway has gravel, it may have spread, smarten it up. Use a power washer if paving slabs are dirty. Is your lawn is in good condition? New turf can be laid if necessary (allow time to bed in). This may cost a little, but not that much if it helps maintain the asking price. If the existing grass is good, it must be trimmed and weeded. Maintain flowerbeds, remove unsightly bits of brick or stone. Trim any plants as necessary. Plant new flowers if it improves (don`t overdo it).

You may hedges or bushes, again trim them neatly. Check any gates, fences, seating. Painting them will freshen up their appearance, they will look new.

The entrance of the house is vital. It must be clear and tidy. Remove spiders webs and dust. There must be no clutter as the viewer enters the house. Maybe a new floor mat will look better.

THE ROOMS

Lounge/living room

Use the space available most efficiently. You may have much loved items of furniture or ornaments. But if they make the room look smaller or cluttered, better to store them in a garage or loft. You may even consider hiring a storage unit.

Many home stagers remove family portraits and photographs, books from bookcases. This allows buyers to imagine this property could be theirs. The seller needs to disassociate themselves from the house.

However, your lounge must be warm and welcoming, it is a communal area. Furniture must be arranged with this mind, all chairs don`t have to face the T.V. The walls must be painted a neutral, but warm, colour. If your cushions are drab or damaged, they can be replaced.

If your furniture is aged and in disrepair, you may consider hiring different ones. Clean or polish existing furniture.

Any features, like a fireplace must be emphasised and presentable. Obviously, when viewers arrive, especially before dark, ensure natural light and fresh air show off the room. Blinds and curtains must be neat.

1.     The kitchen

Often the next port of call for a viewer. A very important room. Remove unnecessary clutter and mess. Turn coffee cup handles the same way. Clean around, wash windows inside and out  (as with all rooms), remove food odours. Make sure ovens and surfaces are clean. Any kitchen furniture must be in place. Kitchen cabinets can be stained if they are faded. Knobs and handles upgraded. If you have a free standing rubbish bin ensure it is clean and shut.

Kitchens carry good resale value, so perhaps spend more time chatting there than other rooms. Again, it needs to be well lit, decor may have to be refreshed.

2.     The bathroom

Similar to the kitchen, the bathroom carries good resale value. Clean the room thoroughly, perhaps introduce a few fresh flowers, if not, an appealing fragrance. Scrub baths, showers, sinks, clean the toilet. Wipe mirrors.

Look at the detail, can bathroom fixtures be updated? Make sure the colour scheme is right, match towels, mats etc. Place all bathroom products, shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes in their correct and tidy position.

3.     The bedrooms

Should be fairly simple to stage. Buyers will be looking for comfort and a bit of luxury. Tasks may involve painting walls (neutral and subtle). Create space, remove any unnecessary furniture. Bedding must look right, maybe invest in better sheets or pillow covers which you of course take with you when you move out. Same as the lounge, remove personal items/photographs. Freshen the air with windows open and/or fragrances.

4.      Playrooms/children`s rooms

Ensure these rooms are tidy, create space, use storage units.

5.     Utility rooms

Store away cleaning products, clean any mess, tidy or remove any washed clothes.

6.     Garage

Think cleanliness, remove spiders web and dust, spills of oil and liquids. Viewers will want to see storage options, not clutter. The buyer may think a dirty garage reflects the rest of the house you have cleaned for their benefit! A coat of paint would not do any harm.Catergorise items in the garage, certain tools together, sports equipment, car stuff. All the items you have removed from other rooms will have to go into storage or be well hidden.

Another point to remember for the whole house is to keep any dogs out the way if possible, also children must be well behaved, if present!

Overall, what you put into homestaging, you will get out. Don`t spend too much, but be prepared to invest some funds. After all, you will benefit for a while from some improvements.

Regarding your rear or main garden, please refer to our article on presenting gardens.

Written by Adam Levell