When you’re looking to sell your house, there are lots of things you should keep in mind about exactly how you should do so. While it’s important to remember that each house is unique and that what works for one property may not necessarily work for another, there are nonetheless enough expert tips out there that apply to houses on a more general basis. So if you feel overwhelmed by where to begin, here are some ways to get started:
De-Clutter
De-cluttering your home isn’t just about ensuring books, DVDs, and magazines are all neatly put away – although that’s important too. De-cluttering your home for prospective buyers also involves putting away any sentimental trinkets or family pieces you might have on display. Have you got lots of cute knick-knacks or souvenirs from trips abroad? Are there trophies and artwork by the kids on display? For the moment, put them away. Create a blank canvas – allow visitors to envision what the place could look like over what it looks like currently. Your property may be defined by your family now, but it isn’t going to stay that way, so don’t showcase personal effects. This is especially important in bedrooms and bathrooms. De-cluttering also allows you to play up storage areas, which are a big selling point of any home.
Color
The colour of your walls and furnishings also feed into the depersonalising of a space. If the kids’ rooms are painted in their favourite bright colours, it’s worth painting over them in warm, neutral hues instead. Bear in mind that ‘neutral’ doesn’t have to look boring – off-white and beige are all very well, but you can opt for warm yellows or lighter greens and blues too. Honey-coloured walls make for a nice contrast against dark furnishings and make a space feel cosy without diminishing its size. A useful trick to make a room appear bigger is to paint it the same colour as the room adjacent to it.
Lighting
If your house gets lots of natural lighting, play it up. Equally important, though, is the regulation of said lighting through pretty, effective curtains or shutters. Quality window dressing makes a big difference to a room – it has the effect of making the space look more tailored, chic and upscale. For example, if you’ve got a conservatory, or a conservatory-style extension to your house, investing in some nice blinds won’t just improve the look of the room, it’ll keep the sun from shining in your visitors’ eyes as they look around. Your artificial lighting is also vital – it should consist of proper ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet, or reading), and accent (table and all) lighting for thoroughness.
Scent
Looking through a house isn’t just about the way things, well, look. It’s a sensory experience that can be subtly enhanced in a number of ways. If it’s a warm day, open the windows and let lots of fresh air in. Don’t overuse artificial air fresheners, but at least make sure that rooms smell clean. Place a big bowl of fruit in the kitchen or on the living room table. For an extra homey touch, put some cookies in the oven to bake just before visitors arrive – the smell will fill the house.
External Area
The interior of your property isn’t the only part of your property. Even if you’re not an avid gardener, take the time to ensure your lawn is at least neat. If you’ve got a garden shed, make sure everything’s locked away inside and there are no gardening tools just lying around. Play up the surrounding area as well – is there a train station or bus stop nearby? Or a good grocery store or a great play park for kids? Don’t forget to make mention of those things.
Just get started with these tricks and your home will be looking more show-ready in no time. Have you ever had to stage your home? What methods did you use? Share your advice in the comments!
