There’s no question about it, real estate markets around the world are going through their toughest times in decades. And here in Australia the situation is not very different. Our real estate market is also in the doldrums.
But guess that? In all that doom and gloom, there’s good news for homeowners trying to sell a property in a buyer’s market. With these 10 free staging tricks, you can add significant value to your ‘For Sale’ property and increase the selling price of your property.
The first impression
Why?
Because buyers are likely to go through the outside of your place before inspecting the inside. If they don’t like what they see, they won’t come back. Once buyers are ready to inspect the property, the look of the front yard will set the tone for the interior of the home.
What you can do:
Trim trees and bushes, remove weeds, bar and porches, and keep the road clear and accessible on inspection days. Keep the front clear of toys, bicycles, etc. from children and remove cobwebs from eaves. Make sure your doorbell works and the paint is in good condition. Don’t leave a shoe collection outside your door for shoppers to stumble upon.
Cleanliness is next to mercy
Why?
It’s a no-brainer. Everybody wants clean. Anything less distracts buyers who can’t get past to see the home’s features. A property that is not clean inside and out is a red flag for all but the most determined buyers. Ignore this at your own risk.
What you can do:
Clean everything! This means washing, scrubbing, mopping, and dusting. You need to clean at a level beyond what you normally would. You’ll need to scrub behind the toilet, clean the oven after every use, while the house is on the market. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. Dirt and grime in these two areas of a house will cost a lot of money.
Basic Maintenance
Why?
If cleanliness is next to godliness, then the devil is in the details when it comes to home maintenance. A light that doesn’t work or a door that doesn’t close properly may be something you no longer notice. But your buyer will. If buyers notice basic maintenance issues, they’ll suspect there are more that they can’t see. And you can bet a buyer will bear the cost (and then some) of making those repairs, out of your asking price.
What you can do:
Check everything. We’re talking about every light, every hinge, every surface, and every faucet. Make sure each access point is just that: accessible. If it is electricity or water, hire a professional to fix it.
start packing
Why?:
Why are you moving right? And on top of that, the fewer things there are in the space, the bigger it will seem. Buyers are not interested in your stuff. Yes, they want to know what the function of a room is. But they are not interested in photos of you and your extended family. Or the mountain of toys that children have. Warning: do not strip your house. Otherwise, you will leave him feeling cold and unwelcoming.
What you can do:
Start packing everything you don’t use on a day-to-day basis. Do this work early, so it doesn’t overwhelm you, and then get the whole family involved. Avoid storing excess gear in the garage if you can. A better option is a storage facility. Some storage companies even bring storage to you so you can load it up, they will store it, and then deliver it to your new place when needed.
define the space
Why?:
Frankly for sale. This is what buyers want. So the more spacious and usable a space is, the more salable it is. All buyers need to know that a home meets the basics. A place to eat, bathe, sleep and play. A home gym instead of a bedroom will cost you. If you’re not using a bedroom as a bedroom, for example, it may make a buyer wonder why. Is it because a bed doesn’t fit? Suddenly, your home is less salable because it can’t meet the buyer’s basic need.
What you can do:
If you’re using a bedroom as a home office, turn it back into a bedroom. If you have converted the garage into a home theater, go back to the original use. Don’t have a place for a dining table to eat? Better create one. It is not necessary to organize a banquet on it. It can be small. You just need to be there.
Play with the kitchen
Why?:
Kitchens are one of the two most valuable spaces in a property. Here’s the thing. It’s not uncommon for a kitchen to make or break a property sale, so you should do everything you can to make it an asset to your home. The key is to make it look spacious, with plenty of storage and usable work space.
What you can do:
At a minimum, it should be spotlessly clean and tidy. Check the oven, stove, sink and benches. And let there be light. The more natural light, the better. Keep window coverings open or remove them completely if possible. Keep work tables free of general clutter in the kitchen and limit countertop appliances to no more than two. They are great space suckers.
and the bathroom
Why?:
Along with kitchens, bathrooms are another of the most valuable spaces in a house. This is because if a buyer doesn’t like what he sees, and wants or needs to make changes, it seems like an expensive and time-consuming project to undertake after the home purchase.
What you can do:
Again we are talking about clean, clean, clean. Toilet, sink, bathroom. Don’t forget the tiles and grout. A good wash with a small scrubbing brush leaves them almost new. Put away your toiletries, and then make your mirrors look sparkly. Liven it up with new and matching towels.
Livingroom
Why?:
This is an important meeting space for most people. They relax and entertain. So it should look like you can serve that purpose with ease.
What you can do:
Keep it neat and add lots of light. Don’t over-furnish, otherwise it’s hard for buyers to move around without bumping into the furniture. Keep most surfaces clear. Leave a few pieces for a decorative touch.
The main room
Why?:
The person who buys the house will sleep here. So make them feel like this is a place they can retreat to when they need to.
What you can do:
The bed needs to fit into the space, so make sure it’s easy to move around the bed. If it’s a double room, play with a double bed. Unless it’s built into the bed, TVs don’t belong in bedrooms. Neither do computers. Keep the bed made at all times with fresh, clean sheets. Make sure there is plenty of natural light so buyers can appreciate the features of the space. Keep closets tidy by storing out-of-season clothes.
Create a property profile package
Why?:
This helps buyers see all the features your property and the neighborhood has to offer. It’s a hard copy of what makes your house the best on the block.
What you can do:
There is a lot of information you could add to a package like this. The basic material includes photos of your property, information about the house and the size of the lot, the year the house was built, any special information related to the structure. You can mention any changes you’d like to have made, like installing a pool or adding an extra bedroom, for example. If you’ve gotten quotes for these kinds of things, include them. Add information about your neighborhood. Things like transportation available, schools, parks, stores. You can also add any information you have about approved future development for your area that adds to the quality of life in the neighborhood.