9 Quick Staging Tips for Busy Agents
Every agent knows that great curb appeal and a clean, serene indoor vibe can sell any house faster and at a better price. Part of your plan should be to make sure your listing is ready for its close-up, especially before an open house. The good news, professional home stagers say, is that it shouldn’t take a lot of time or money to make a home look its best.
- Make the first peek matter - Be sure the lawn is mowed and free of toys or bikes - even if it means you need to hire help to keep a vacant property presentable.
- Ace the entry - Does the front door need painting? Cleaning? Will a plant or two dress up the entryway? Indoors, make the foyer welcoming with fresh flowers on the table.
- Let the light in - Nothing turns off more buyers than a dark interior. If you can’t strip away drapes and curtains, open them fully. Then turn on the lights, especially in hallways and bath - and be prepared to change out any dim bulbs for brighter ones.
- Stow away family keepsakes - Buyers tend to imagine themselves living in the space they see, so help them do that. Pack away family photos, bowling trophies and other personal keepsakes.
- Create space - Stowing away clutter and unnecessary furnishings can make any room look more spacious - and purging crammed closets of out-of-season clothes creates the impression of good storage space, even if it means renting storage space.
- Set the dinner table - A table set with attractive linens and china, and fresh flowers on the table, invite a vision of happy entertaining.
- Clear the kitchen counters - Stow away some appliances and decor items to create a sleeker look, although a bowl of fresh lemons or a vase of fresh flowers is nice.
- Keep the air clean - If there are cooking, garbage, or pet smells in the house, grind a couple of lemons through the disposal. If air freshener is needed, keep it neutral.
- Check the linens - A few fluffy towels and handsome quilts should be part of your agent’s inventory, so you can swap out worn or dingy linens in time for your open house.
Barbara Pronin is an award-winning writer based in Orange County, Calif. A former news editor with more than 30 years of experience in journalism and corporate communications, she has specialized in real estate topics for over a decade.
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