Top 5 DIY Staging Tips

If you are preparing to put your home on the market this summer, it’s important to realize that every prospective home buyer that comes through your doors will view your home differently. And with today’s highly competitive market, it’s critical to include effective staging as part of the marketing of your home. The objective is to make sure your home stands out and garners the broadest appeal possible. An experienced real estate agent can help you select a home stager to work with, or you can work with your agent to stage the home yourself. Here are five great tips to get you started:

1. Remove the personal. Any items or artwork that speak to your personal family life need to be removed – photos, kids’ projects, trophies, etc. Home buyers need to see a neutral canvas on which they can begin to envision the home as their own. They need to see how their own personality can take shape in the home.

2. Tone it down. Look at your home objectively. If your paint and décor includes bright and/or unusual colors, or bold-patterned wall papers, consider turning the volume down a notch. Neutral colors across the board are your best bet.

3. Open the shutters. Natural lighting plays a huge part in increasing your home’s spaciousness and overall appeal. Buyers want a home that is sunny, bright and inviting. So be sure to remove all heavy drapery and blinds.

4. Reduce the retro. You may love your antique armoire or ’50s kitchen set, but most home buyers are looking for something new and fresh. Dated-looking furnishings and décor are usually an instant turn-off.

5. Scale it back. You might not care that your king-sized bed takes up 90% of your bedroom, but oversized furniture in a too-small space will make rooms look smaller. Put your big stuff in storage for the time being.