Trying to sell your home while still residing there poses some unique challenges. Here are seven quick tips to help you stage your home for potential buyers and while still being comfortable for your family.
1. Ditch Your Clutter
Before listing your home on the market, go through all of your belongings and keep only the most valuable. Less clutter will make your home appear more airy and expansive, which is definitely more appealing to would-be buyers. If needed, you can rent a storage space for other items until you hire movers or sell your home.
2. White Glove Treatment
Give your house the cleaning of its life. Potential buyers will notice small messes you might have missed. Newly waxed floors, washed walls and polished furnishings will also help make a great impression on potential buyers. If you’re coming in and out of the house daily, you will need to keep up this treatment or hire a cleaning service.
3. Go Neutral
If you have rooms that are painted in loud colors, consider a neutral shade as you stage your house for showings. White and beige may be boring, but they present your setting as a blank canvas for potential buyers.
4. Make Rooms Appear Larger
You can make smaller rooms appear larger by moving pieces of large furniture out, providing you don’t need them. A more expansive room will appear less cluttered. It will also allow visitors to move more easily through your home. Make sure you leave some furniture so you aren’t sleeping on cots or sleeping bags.
5. Improve Furniture Groupings
Arrange your furniture to emphasize the benefits of each room. Don’t face the back of your sofa to a doorway, as it makes for a less inviting entrance. If your furnishings are mismatched, don’t worry about investing in a new set. Instead, opt for chair and sofa covers in neutral hues. You can tie your décor together with a few coordinating throw pillows.
6. Cosmetic Fixes
Simple cosmetic fixes can help you improve your home without pricy replacements. Rather than investing in new kitchen cabinets, consider installing new doors and painting them to match. Paint porch railings and replace old fixtures with contemporary models to spruce up the look of your home.
7. Entryway Makeover
The entrance of your home is going to be a buyer’s first impression. Consider replacing an old door with a new one or simply have your old one painted professionally. Think about replacing worn flooring with new tile.
There are plenty of ways to live in your home while it’s on the market. The real balance is having what you need while making sure your home actually looks ready for a new owner. Once you figure that out, it’s a sure bet you will get your home sold without sacrificing too much comfort.
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