Our #1 Staging Tip (and it doesn’t cost a dime!)
What if I told you that the single most important step you can take to prepare your home for sale is completely free? PURE Home Studio’s # 1 staging tip was recently featured in an article by Redfin which you can read here: https://www.redfin.com/blog/home-staging-tips/.
When preparing an occupied home for sale it is important to look at the home from an outsider’s perspective. Here’s an example I know we can all relate to. Have you ever noticed that the homes of your friends and family each have a unique smell yet your own home smells like nothing? That’s because we live there day in and day out and have gotten used to it. The same thing happens with our decor, we get so used to the way our home is decorated that we don’t see the things that might stand out to a buyer and distract them from the home’s best features. Follow our three steps below to put your home’s best foot forward.
1. Depersonalize
Our homes are a reflection of who we are (as they should be!). But when it comes time for sale we want the home to be a blank slate that the next buyers can envision themselves living in. You may love cats or Elvis memorabilia but not everyone does! Look around your home and remove all family photos, pet related items (decorative items plus litters boxes, crates etc.), and personal items like toothbrushes, shampoo, and medicines.
2. Declutter
Clutter stands out to potential buys not just when they tour your home but also when they see the listing photos online. Pictures are especially important in today’s real estate market and making a good first impression is extremely important. Clearing off desks, counter tops, and paring down bookshelf decor helps the potential buyers keep their focus on the home rather that being distracted by unnecessary items.
2. Less is more
In home staging, mid century architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s famous advice, “less is more”, holds true. Do you have heavy curtains blocking natural light coming through the windows? Take them down. A bulky entertainment center occupying valuable square footage and making your room appear smaller? Remove it. Furniture encroaching on walkways? Take it away. A room that is overly full with extra furniture or bulky pieces appears smaller and one of the most important goals of home staging is to make your home feel spacious and inviting.
Don’t forget to check out the full article on Redfin and reach out to us at PURE Home Studio for help staging your property for sale in the Seattle area.
