Home
Staging -
By Donna Ross
There's no doubt about it, property markets
around the world are going through the hardest times seen in decades. And here
in
But guess what? In all that doom and gloom there
is some good news for home owners trying to sell property in a buyers' market.
With these 10 no cost home staging tricks, you can add significant value to
your 'For Sale' property and boost your property's selling price.
The First Impression
Why?
Because chances are buyers will drive past the
outside of your place before they inspect 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 inside of the house.
What you can do:
Trim trees and shrubs, pull weeds, sweep
pathways and porches, and keep your driveway clean and accessible on inspection
days. Keep the front and clear of the kids' toys, bikes etc and remove cobwebs
from the eaves. Make sure your doorbell works and any paintwork is in good
condition. Don't leave a collection of shoes outside your doorway for buyers to
stumble over.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness
Why?
It's a no brainer. Everybody wants clean.
Anything less is distracting to buyers who can't get past it to see the home's
features. A property that's anything less than clean inside and out, is a red
flag to all but the most determined of buyers. Ignore this at your peril.
What you can do:
Clean everything! This means wash, scrub, mop
and dust. You need to clean to a standard beyond what you'd normally do. You'll
need to scrub down behind the toilet, wipe out the oven after each use, while
the home is on the market. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms.
Dirt and grime in these two areas of a home will cost big bucks.
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 problems they
will suspect there is more that they can't see. And you can bet that a buyer
will take the cost (and then some) of doing those repairs, off your asking
price.
What you can do:
Check everything. We're talking every light,
every hinge, every surface and every tap. Make sure every access point is that
- accessible. If it involves electricity or water, get in a professional to
repair it.
Start Packing
Why?:
Because you're moving right? And besides that,
the less of your stuff in the space - the bigger it's going to seem. Buyers are
not interested in your stuff. Yes, they do want to know what a room's function
is. But they aren't interested in photos of you and your extended family. Or
the mountain of toys the kids have. Warning: don't strip your house bare.
Otherwise you'll leave it feeling cold and unwelcoming.
What you can do:
Start packing up anything you aren't using on a
day to day basis. Do this job 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 the
storage to you so you can load it, they'll store it, then deliver it to your
new place when needed.
Define the Space
Why?:
Frankly it sells. This is what buyers want. So
the more spacious and usable a space is the more sellable. All buyers need to
know that a home fulfils the basics. A place to eat, bath, sleep and play. A
home gym instead of a bedroom with cost you. If you aren't using a bedroom as a
bedroom for example, it may make a buyer wonder why that is. Is it because a
bed doesn't fit? All of a sudden your home is less sellable because it can't
cover a 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've made the garage a home theatre, go back to
the original use. Haven't got a place for a dining table to eat a meal at? Best
create one. You don't need to host a banquet in it. It can be small. It just
needs to be there.
Play up the Kitchen
Why?:
Kitchens are one of the two most valuable spaces
a property has. Here's the thing. It's not uncommon for a kitchen to make or
break the sale of a property, so you need to do what 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 the very least it needs to be sparkling clean
and tidy. Check the oven, stove top, sink and benches. And let there be light.
The more natural light, the better. Keep window coverings open or remove
altogether if possible. Keep your bench tops clear of general kitchen clutter
and limit bench top appliances to no more than two. They are big 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 they see, and they want or need to make any changes, it seems like an
expensive and time consuming project to take on after the home's purchase.
What you can do:
Again we're talking clean, clean, clean. Toilet,
sink, bath. Don't forget the tiles and the grout. A good scrub with a small
scrubbing brush brings them up looking near new. Put your toiletries away and
then get your mirrors looking sparkly. Dynamize it with new and co-ordinating
towels.
The Living Room
Why?:
This is an important gathering space for most
people. They relax and entertain. So, it needs to look like it can fulfil that
purpose with ease.
What you can do:
Keep it tidy and add in plenty of light. Don't
over furnish otherwise it's hard for buyers to move around without running into
furniture. Keep most surfaces clear. Leave a few pieces for a decorative touch.
The Main Bedroom
Why?:
The person buying 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 should fit the space, so make sure that
it's easy to move around the bed. If it's a double size room play that up with
a double bed. Unless it's built into the bed, televisions don't belong in
bedrooms. Nor for that matter do computers. Keep the bed made at all times with
fresh, clean linens. Make sure that there is plenty of natural light so buyers
can take in features of the space. Keep closets tidy by packing away out of
season clothing.
Create a Property Profile Pack
Why?:
This helps buyers see all the features your
property and the neighbourhood has to offer. It's a hard copy of what makes
your house the best on the block.
What you can do:
There's plenty of information you could add to a
pack like this. Basic stuff includes photos of your property, information about
the house and land size, the year the house was built, any special information
relating to the structure. You can mention any changes you would like to have
made, like putting in a pool or adding on an extra bedroom for example. If you
have gotten quotes for this type of thing, include it. Add information about
your neighbourhood. Things like available transport, schools, parks, shops. You
can also add in any information you have about approved future development for
your area that add to the neighbourhood's quality of life.