Selling your home is an important and exhilarating decision, providing you with the potential to make an impressive profit and freeing you up to settle into a fresh, new residence. And yet, the process can be complicated and filled with questions. Where do you start, and how do you handle all the steps with grace and knowledge?
In addition to working with an excellent real estate agent who can help facilitate a fast and advantageous sale, one of the most important moves you can make is to thoughtfully and artfully stage your home for photographs, viewings, and showings. Indeed, research demonstrates that staged homes sell more than 25% faster than non-staged houses — and the less time your home spends on the market, the more leverage you’ll have in negotiations. With all of this in mind, The B.A.R. Group — a collection of agents who specialize in Lake Highlands real estate — has compiled this list to streamline the staging of your residence.
Assess your home
Living in a home for years, or even just months, means that it has received a lot of love. And while you may not note the minor, barely-there flaws it may have, a prospective buyer undoubtedly will. Hire a licensed home inspector to evaluate your home and help bring your attention to matters that are beyond your ability to fix, whether that’s an issue in your electrical system or a tiny but growing mildew problem. Between your critical eye and their in-depth knowledge, you’ll be able to ascertain what changes need to be made before listing your home on the market.
Investigate your exterior
The exterior of your home is of utmost importance, largely because people form an impression in as little as 27 seconds. Examine your home from the street and its mailbox to the perimeter of your yard, and make sure everything looks as pristine as possible. This may mean replacing your mailbox entirely or having your landscaper clean out any debris that has accumulated in your flowerbeds. Give your front door and entryway an update by either painting or replacing your front door, polishing or replacing your hardware, and heightening your entry’s welcoming look with pots of lush plants and front door accouterments (such as a small seating area or a porch swing). Lastly, don’t overlook your siding: wear and tear can make your home appear older than its actual age.
Hire a contractor
Larger issues that may exist within your home, such as roof leaks and faults in your plumbing, will need to be handled by experts. Bring a contractor on board to handle the alterations you’ve elected to perform, and schedule their work well in advance of listing your home on the market.
Perform a deep clean
You’re well aware that your home ought to shine from floor to ceiling before you enlist the services of a real estate photographer. What you may be less aware of is that a staged home means your personal effects will need to be omitted from the picture. Pack away any art, photographs, vinyl collection, and knickknacks, and only leave out pieces with widespread appeal. A professional cleaning team will scour your home and ensure it glistens, including those concealed pockets of your home that may haven’t received attention in years. Further, they will eliminate any odors that may be unnoticeable to you but will be conspicuous to prospective buyers.
Revitalize your walls
A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and most effective ways to rejuvenate the interior of your home. Neutral tones — such as white and ecru — naturally translate to increased luminosity, making your home seem bigger and brighter.
Take note of your appliances
Buying a new home is one of the most profound financial decisions a person will make in their lifetime, and buyers approach the homes they visit at showings and open houses with an eagle eye towards details, especially when it comes to the condition of appliances. Indeed, experts assert that one of the most significant turn-offs for prospective buyers is old, worn-out appliances. If yours fall into this camp, consider replacing them to uplevel the beauty and value of your home.
Construct an outdoor haven
Your home will appear larger and more inviting if you emphasize the appeal of your backyard, patio, or balcony, impressing unto others that your outdoor areas are as much a part of your home as your interior. Clean or update your outdoor furniture and include weather-resistant throw pillows in timeless designs. Invest in potted palms and other greenery to make your outdoor oasis appear even more verdant and inviting. Other items, such as a firepit and strings of modern white lights, may not be obligatory, but they’ll also elevate the appearance of your open-to-the-sky sanctuary.
Partner with a seasoned professional
You may have an astute and artistic eye, but professional home stagers have received the education, training, and experience to get the job done right. From rearranging your furniture to showcase your home’s most splendid views to incorporating pieces of timeless decor — and from repurposing rooms to emphasize your home’s best attributes — they can transform your home into a place that will help prospective buyers feel that they could not only live delightedly in your home but also need it.
Work with a well-respected local realtor
A world-class real estate agent will have a firm grasp on the changes you should make to your home for marketing, showing, and open house purposes and will work alongside your professional home stager to ensure everything is in place. They also have a solid handle on what prospective buyers in your region are searching for, from on-trend splashes of color to the most often-seen renovations.
The B.A.R. Group is composed of just such realtors. Specializing in homes for sale in Lake Highlands, Dallas, they have a thorough knowledge of buyers’ expectations and the local market. They sell more Lake Highlands homes than any others in their market. Reach out to them today to reap the benefits of their expertise.
