How to Prepare and Stage Your Home for Sale

 

staged living room with couch

Are you getting ready to sell your home? If so, you want to make sure your house is looking its best, showing off its assets and charm. It’s all about making a good first impression on potential buyers. Wondering if there’s anything you can specifically do to prep your property? We’re here to give you some helpful tips on ways you can prepare and stage your home for sale and impress its future owners.

Does every home need to be prepared and staged for sale?

Every house can benefit from some upkeep and tidying. Staging a house for sale doesn’t have to include a major renovation. You want to flatter your property, drawing attention to its best features. Sometimes it only takes a little furniture rearrangement or a fresh coat of paint to work its magic. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to look into replacing flooring or tiles, for example, if you think it’s necessary and could bring about a higher return on investment.

As a general rule, when it comes to preparing and staging a home, think about how you can make your home as BIG and as BRIGHT as possible. Clean every space, make every corner sparkle. Declutter so it looks tidy, spacious, and roomy. When you create an inviting and attractive environment, it is easier for buyers to imagine making the space their own.

What are some common recommendations for pre-sale renovations?

General Home Maintenance & Repairs

Think about anything that could distract a buyer and negatively impact the possibility of a sale. Are there any leaky, dripping faucets or other plumbing? Do all the doors and windows work properly? Are there any cracks in the paint, indoors or outdoors? A place where the fence is broken? Any unruly shrubbery or tree that needs a good trim? Even tiny repairs can make a big difference in the appearance and appeal of a property.

Check out How to Budget for Home Maintenance and Repairs in Port Alberni for more helpful information about property upkeep.

Painting

We mentioned earlier that you want to make your home look as big and bright as possible. A new coat of paint is a tried-and-true way to brighten a room. The idea is to refresh the walls, not to generate a whole new style or bold statement. Stick to beiges, simple whites, or another warm neutral colour. The goal is to create a blank slate, an inviting space for buyers to imagine making it their own.

Rearranging Furniture

Switching furniture around in a space is one of the most cost-effective ways you can increase the appeal of your home. Make sure every room has a defined purpose, as an office, guest bedroom, or entertainment room, for example. Arrange the furniture so the space looks roomy, attractive, and easy to navigate. Adding extra touches like a vase of flowers or a lush plant can brighten a room too.

Updating Light Fixtures

Let there be light. The condition of the light fixtures in your home will definitely contribute to the brightness of the space. If it is an older house, you might want to consider investing in new fixtures. If you’re in a newer place, sometimes a thorough clean will do the trick.

Economical Kitchen/Bath Updates

Clean stained grout and caulking around your sinks and tubs. In Port Alberni, homeowners often struggle with the effects of humidity on their homes. Do you have any flooring that has lifted from excess moisture? Consider replacing it for a fresh, clean look. You don’t necessarily need a complete kitchen or bath remodeling. Most of the time, a good clean and refresh can give the room that perfect finishing touch that home buyers are seeking. Make the kitchen and bathroom a priority because these are rooms that are used most often.

Depersonalize

Artwork, statues, knick-knacks, and other favourite trinkets should be stowed away until you move into your new place. The goal is to make your home a neutral space, a blank page. Your potential buyers should be able to imagine putting their own art on the walls and personal treasures on surfaces.

How long will the home selling preparations and staging take?

Of course, it’s up to you how much time you want to take, or how much time you actually have to prepare and stage your home. If you have children, it could be a challenge to get it done quickly. Most home sellers take 3-6 weeks to prepare their homes. Do you have any family or friends who can spare some time and muscle to help out? As they say, many hands make light work. This is especially true with home moving. The people you love might be your best asset. If you’re feeling stuck, you can always hire help.

Is it crucial to get every staging item on the list completed?

Again, this is entirely up to you. Understandably, the more you can prepare and stage, the better results you’ll get. However, it’s also good to know when to draw the line. The more you start cleaning, fixing, and fiddling, the more you’ll find to do. A house is never perfect. There’s always something that needs looking after. Just be aware when you’ve come to the point where the extra work won’t improve your sales price or outcome. Keep it simple.

Conclusion

We hope these suggestions were helpful as you look ahead to prepare and stage your home for sale. For more information about home preparation and staging, check out 12 Tips for How to Stage Your Home for a Quick Sale. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our fantastic team of Port Alberni REALTORS®.

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Port Alberni?

Check out our properties for sale.