Set The Stage For a Successful Sale

Set the Stage for a Successful Sale
Want to get top dollar for your home? Start by “staging” your house—sprucing it up to make it as appealing as possible for the largest audience. You don’t need to spend a fortune to make a fantastic first impression on would-be buyers. It’s often the smaller improvements that have the most dramatic impact and ensure a quick sale.

Home-staging basics:

Clean, clean, clean - A sparkling house will show buyers the home has been well-maintained. Clean the carpets, scrub the bathrooms and the kitchen, dust the light fixtures and make sure the windows are spotless. Pay attention to overlooked areas like window sills and the top of the fridge.

Get rid of the clutter - Buyers should easily visualize themselves in the home without being distracted by your stuff. Remove personal photos, trophies, paperwork and knickknacks. Organize all of your rooms and closets to make them look larger, and keep kitchens and bathroom counters cleared of frequently used products.

Brighten the mood - Extra light makes your home more cheerful and inviting. Allow the natural light in by keeping drapes and blinds opened. Make sure all the bulbs in the house work properly, and leave the lights turned on during showings.

Add a coat of paint - Painting can do wonders to refresh the interior of your home. Go with neutral colors, since they have the widest appeal.

Freshen up the place - Minimize the odors in your house. Open the windows for 15-30 minutes each day to air it out. Keep litter boxes clean and avoid cooking greasy or strong-smelling foods that can linger. Some people even bake cookies to create a welcoming atmosphere.

The small investment you make to stage your home is well worth it. According to a 2010 report by the Real Estate Staging Association, homes that are staged can sell 78 percent faster than unstaged houses. Don’t want to do it yourself? A professional home stager can work within your budget and target specific areas to help raise the value of your home without the need for major renovations.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the State of Georgia. Sara is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind! Please feel free to contact Sara anytime with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the selling / buying / staging /pre-approval process. Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many real estate questions when the time is right for you. Sara is easily reached at 770-399-8108 or e-mail her at sara@SaraHibbard.com.