Deciding to sell your home is a big step. Almost all home owners will still have a few things to do before actually activating their listing. Remember, buyers assume that a clean, organized, updated home is well-maintained. And just as importantly, they make the opposite assumption about dirty, cluttered, or dated homes. Once you’ve made the decision to sell, don’t leave any money on the table. Give yourself an edge on a successful post-holiday home sale and a “show ready” house with these tips:
Pare Down the Primary Closet
“This house has way too much storage!” said no buyer ever. It probably goes without saying that an empty closet shows better with buyers than one packed full of clothes and miscellany. That being said, emptying all the closets is not practical for most homeowners. Concentrate your efforts on the most important closet in a home buyer’s decision-making process: the primary bedroom or owners’ suite closet. Organize, eliminate, and get stuff off the floor.
For more detailed info on how to organize your closet for staging, check out our book, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging, now available on Amazon. Or enroll in our self-paced, online homeowner’s course, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging for Home SellersTM.
Begin De-Personalizing
Buyers need to be able to walk into your home and easily envision their family living there. They do not need to be reminded that they are a guest in someone else’s home. Start packing family photos, collections, sports memorabilia, and anything related to your hobbies or religion. This may feel especially difficult during the holiday season. However, if you plan to go on the market at the first of the year, set yourself up for a faster sale by starting the de-personalization process now.
Take Care of Any Maintenance, Repairs, or Updates
Leaky faucets, that one light switch that doesn’t work, the places on the wall that need touch-up paint…the list goes on and on for most homeowners. NOW is the time to start updating or fixing all those things you’ve been putting off. One trick we use with our clients is blue painter’s tape: stick a small piece on every spot in your house that needs maintenance or updating. The tape pieces are a constant visual “to-do” list that you can work on in the months leading up to your listing.
How We Can Help
When it comes to preparing for a post-holiday home sale, it’s extremely hard for most sellers to be objective about their own home. Investing in a professional home staging consultation BEFORE you list your home for sale will help you learn about how to show your home in its best light and give you more time to make the changes needed to get you a faster sale and a higher profit. Take a look below at all the ways we can help!
Book an Online Consultation
We specialize in positive and empowering virtual home staging consultations! Our practical, no-nonsense advice helps homeowners sell more quickly and for more money.
Enroll in Our Online Courses
Our online courses are designed with you, the DIY homeowner, in mind. From home staging to paint color selection, we break down the process for you from start to finish!
Read Our Book
In this brand new third edition of her popular book, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging, professional home stager Vannessa Rhoades walks you through the step-by-step process of staging your home for a faster, more profitable sale. Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions!
