When it comes to selling homes, the adage that you must not judge a book by its cover does not necessarily hold true. Like any thing that is put on sale, you have to make sure that the product is made extra attractive so it could get the attention of the market. Although the solidity and structural efficiency of your home will still matter, what matters at the onset is if your home is properly staged. When you stage your home, you simply primp it up to make it look worth more than it is. You make sure that your home is seen by the buyers in its best light: starting from the exterior towards the smallest room inside the house.
Remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression, so make sure that you don't blow it. Put as much attention on the exterior of your home as you would the interiors. Make sure that your hedges and the garden are trimmed, the paint of your exterior walls are intact (and not peeling), and the window panes are scrubbed. A welcoming exterior will do wonders for your sale.
Once you have the attention of buyers and have enticed them to pass through your doorstep, you have to make sure that the insides of your home look just as inviting as the outside. First, remove all the personal and unnecessary clutter from all the rooms. Shabby chic may appeal to you but it may not appeal to your potential buyers. Be on the safe side and go for Zen-like appeal. Stay with the basic pieces and pepper spaces with proper accessories.
When you've narrowed down your décor to just a few necessary items, arrange these in such a way that it would make your home appear even bigger or roomier. Try not to put your furniture pieces against the wall but nearer the center of the room or in small conversational groups instead. Also, don't be afraid to mix and match furniture pieces. If you have a few spare areas, you can dress these up to create interesting spaces and add value to your home. For example, the space underneath your stairs can be transformed into a reading nook simply by placing a comfortable chair, a side table, a lamp and a small book shelf.
Nothing makes a room much more warm and inviting than light. Remove dark and heavy drapes and let the sunshine in. This would make your home warm, bright and airy. In case you really do need to use artificial lights, play around with wattage and location. Find out which arrangement would make home more appear dramatic.
Finally, try not to make your home like a show-room. Put some life into it by placing plants or flowers in strategic areas inside your house. A vase of fresh flowers in the middle of the dining table, or a small potted plant by the door of your bathroom will do.
Staging a home need not be expensive. Just be creative and resourceful. Also, don't think of it as staging a home as a chore. Relax and have fun!
