Selling a home can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for anyone. With the right strategies and preparation, though, it doesn’t have to be. One of the most critical aspects of the home-selling process is marketing and staging a home to attract potential buyers and get top dollar for a given property.
Depersonalizing a home can make a huge difference in its ability to sell. Renovations like paint and updated fixtures will also make an incredible difference in staging.
In this article, Reed Pirain provides some tips on how to market and stage a home for a successful sale.
Connect With A Real Estate Agent
First and foremost, hiring a reputable real estate agent will make a significant difference in the home-selling process. A professional realtor has the experience and knowledge to help navigate the market, set the right price, and develop a marketing plan that highlights the home’s strengths.
They can also provide invaluable advice on how exactly to stage the home to make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Create An Attractive Environment
Depersonalize
When it comes to showing off a home, there are many things a home-selling-hopeful can do to create an inviting and attractive environment. Step one should be decluttering and depersonalizing the space. Potential buyers want to be able to envision themselves living in the home they are touring.
While ecclectic art and decor can make any home feel right to whoever already lives there, it will make it harder for a guest at an open house to imagine it as ‘theirs’. Removing personal items such as family photos and excess clutter can help them place themselves in the space as a happy homeowner.
Neutral Tones
Another crucial aspect of home staging is creating a neutral color palette. A lime green accent wall and funky wallpaper may entice a few, but it will alienate most. They’ll see a wall they have to paint over – a chore for the home before they’ve even moved in.
Neutral colors such as beige, white, and gray can create a calming and relaxing environment while appealing to a broader range of buyers.
Renovations
It may seem redundant to renovate a house that the owner is attempting to sell. While knocking out walls or replacing every scrap of plumbing in the house may increase (or decrease) value, these tasks are fairly expensive. However, there are some smaller renovations that a seller can work on to boost potential ROI.
According to Forbes, something as simple as a fresh coat of paint might be what it takes to convince a potential buyer. New hardwood floors are also extremely attractive to buyers. Examine the area for outdated hardware and dated fixtures like mirrors or lighting, then consider swapping them for something new and stylish.
If a bigger renovation is within the budget, the kitchen and bathrooms are what to focus on. If there’s room for a dishwasher in the kitchen, that be what makes or breaks someone’s decision to put down an offer. Replace anything that feels lacking, such as:
- Sinks (including faucets and knobs)
- Appliances like the oven and, if it’s not leaving with the former owners, fridge.
- Toilets
- Tubs/showers, including the showerheads, doors, curtain rods, and drains.
- Cabinets
- Countertops
Marketing The Home
Marketing a for-sale home is just as important as staging it. A professional real estate agent can help develop a marketing plan that highlights a home’s strengths and attracts potential buyers.
Online marketing is a powerful, must-have tool in today’s digital age. Any savvy seller knows that it’s essential to have high-quality photos and videos that showcase a home in the best light possible. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram can also be effective tools in reaching a broader audience.
Conclusion
By following these tips, sellers can make the overwhelming process of putting their home up for sale smoother and more successful. Hiring a reputable realtor, staging a home, and developing a solid marketing plan are what sellers should focus on to increase the likelihood of a successful offer and getting top dollar for their property.
