Getting your home ready to sell quickly is largely about appearances, and using proven staging techniques is part of that package. From the inside out, your home must speak to potential buyers as a place they can envision themselves living. If they are able to get a good idea of how their life will fit into your home, it’s more likely to sell more quickly.
Here are some staging techniques for sellers in warm areas such as Martinsburg and Hagerstown.
START WITH A ONCE-OVER
Begin the staging process by going over the inside and outside of your home with a fine-toothed comb. Look for anything that you would notice as a buyer, including chipped paint, dirty baseboards, and unkempt hedges.
It may be helpful to bring in a friend or family member who doesn’t live in your home to give you a fresh set of eyes. This person may be able to see more of those small flaws that you are less likely to notice because you see your home every day.
Make a list of the items that need to be repaired, replaced, or otherwise addressed and take care of them as soon as possible.
FOCUS ON THE OUTDOORS
Living in a warmer climate such as Martinsburg and Hagerstown means your lawn is more likely to be green and in need of care year-round.
No matter when in the year you decide to sell your home, the first impression of the exterior is incredibly important. You need to make sure that any shrubbery is properly trimmed, your lawn is well-cared-for, and any mulch or other landscaping looks good.
Selling your home – and the process of buying another home – is time-consuming and stressful. That can mean things get lost in the shuffle of scheduled showings, work, and other life obligations.
To keep your lawn in the best possible condition at all times, consider hiring a lawn care service to make regular trips out to your home for lawn maintenance. You’ll get a home with great curb appeal without having to worry about making time to mow the lawn.
TAKE CARE OF SMELLS
A home in a warm area, especially if the weather outside is hot, can get a musty smell if it’s not properly temperature-controlled. This is more likely to happen if you’re not living in the home and aren’t adjusting the thermostat as the temperature changes.
When you’re trying to sell your home, musty smells can be a deal-breaker for potential buyers.
First, be sure that you’ve got the thermostat set at a temperature that can keep the indoors cool and dry. If necessary, invest in a programmable thermostat that can adjust the temperature up and down depending on the time of day.
If necessary, add a dehumidifier in any rooms that tend to get a little damper in warm weather. Find any moisture that exists and do your best to get rid of it and any smells that come with it.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
All the internet research in the world can’t give you all the fool-proof staging techniques that a real estate agent or staging professional may have in their back pocket.
Spending a little extra money to hire someone who can employ all the best staging techniques on your home saves you time and stress, and may save – or make – you money in the long run. This person will do all the work for you with the goal of getting you a quick sale at a high price.