13 Tips to Stage Your Home to Sell for the Best Price Possible

We sold our house this week on Valentine's day.  It was bittersweet.  I'm so sad to leave our loved ones behind but I'm excited for the adventure up ahead as we transition to a life in Florida.  We worked so hard to get our house in tip-top shape so that we could sell it for the best price possible to help with the rising housing costs in Sarasota.  In light of all the hard work we did to stage our home for sale, today I'm sharing......

How to Stage Your Home So You Get the Best Price Possible:

[Pin it for later!]

When it comes to selling your home, presentation is key. Staging your home can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers and getting the highest price possible. Here are some tips to help you stage your home to sell:

1. CREATE CURB APPEAL
The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see, so make sure it looks its best. Clean up any yard debris, trim the hedges, mow the lawn, add plants or flowers, a seasonal wreath and friendly door mat to make your home more feel welcoming.

Source

2. DECLUTTER
Decluttering is one of the most important things you can do when staging your home. Remove any unnecessary items from your home and make sure everything you keep is neat and tidy.  Decluttering will make your home feel more spacious to potential buyers.

"After" Photography

3. CLEAN.....EVERYTHING!
Whether your home is old or new, one way to turn home buyers off is to have a dirty, messy home. A clean home not only showcases your home's best attributes, but it also tells buyers that you take care of things. And if you take good care to clean your home well, buyers will assume the you stay up to date with maintenance and repair and therefore will worry less about making the investment in buying your home.  Clean windows, walls, ceilings, cabinets, grout, baseboards, floors, vents, fans, closets, basements, garages, etc. 

Design | Photography

4. FIX & REPAIR 
Fixing minor issues is another important part of staging your home. Even small issues can create negative impressions for potential buyers and make them wonder what else might be wrong with the property. Here are some minor issues to look out for; leaky or dripping faucets, squeaky doors, cabinets or floors, carpet stains, wall dings, burnt out lightbulbs, etc.


5. PAINT
If your budget allows, repaint walls, trim and doors with a fresh coat of paint when staging your home.  Painting your home in a neutral colour throughout will not only make it appear cleaner and newer, but a consistent colour throughout will make your home feel more expansive.  WOW 1 Day Painting does the job quickly at a competitive price.  And if you're not sure what colour to choose check out our favourite neutral greige  or white paint colours to help you. 

If a painting your entire home isn't feasible, even touch ups of scuffs, scratches, or other blemishes can make a space look like new again. 

"After" Photography

6. HIGHLIGHT YOUR HOME'S BEST FEATURES
One of the best ways to sell your home for the best price possible is to stage it in a way that highlights your home's best features. For example, if you have a beautiful fireplace, make sure it's clean and decorated with simple, attractive decor. If you have a great view, make sure your windows are clean and window treatments are kept open to showcase the view. 

Source

7. REARRANGE FURNITURE
The way your furniture is arranged can make a big difference in the flow of your home.  Forget how you use the space for the time being and instead consider rearranging your furniture to create an open, welcoming space that will make it easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.  

Design | Photography

8. DEPERSONALIZE
While your personal touches may make your house feel like a home, they can also make it difficult for potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Remove any family photos, personal artwork, photo calendars or other personal items and stick to neutral decor that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Design | Photography

9. ADD LIFE
Once you've depersonalized your home, it may feel a bit lifeless. Add fresh flowers or plants to add a pop of colour and breathe life into your home.  If you need help determining where to incorporate plants to enhance your home's beauty, check out our article on how to decorate with plants.

Source

10. LET THERE BE LIGHT
When staging your home to get the best price possible, it's important to use lighting to your advantage. Good lighting can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels. If you can, update old fixtures for more modern lighting that aligns with the home's style. The investment will make a huge impact on the space which you are sure to see a return on. 

If new lighting isn't in your staging budget, just make sure to clean all fixtures and shades and make sure all lightbulbs are the same colour temperature (eg. all soft white or all warm white) so that your home is well lit and has a consistent feel from room to room.  Also make sure to open up all blinds and drapes to let in as much natural light as possible to brighten up your space.

Source

11. CREATE A WELCOMING, HOMEY VIBE
In order to get the best price for your home, you have to create demand for it.  All of the aforementioned staging techniques will help put your home's best impression forward, but another great way to create demand is to make people "feel good" when they're in it.  Set the mood by playing some soft, calming background music to create a relaxed atmosphere.  Consider using some lightly scented candles or essential oils to create a fresh and inviting aroma in your home. You can also offer light refreshments to help make potential buyers feel welcome and comfortable in your home.

 Source

12. GET PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Most potential buyers will view your home online before deciding to attend an open house or schedule a viewing. A professional photographer can make your home look its best online because they use high-quality equipment and editing software to capture your home's best angles and lighting.  High quality photos will attract more potential buyers and potentially leading to a quicker sale and better price. I highly recommend Adam Lewis Photography via Visual Advantage if you're in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. 

 
Design | Photography

13. HIRE THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT
There are so many great real estate agents out there - no doubt you know more than one of them.  One of the best ways you can sell your home for the highest price possible is to hire a real estate agent that you connect with and LOVES your home. When your agent loves your home, it becomes effortless to sell.  They create demand by sharing their genuine love for your home. One person's enthusiasm can be contagious, causing others to also take notice and therefore create greater interest in your home.

We were so lucky to find real estate agent, Bonnie Higgins, to help us sell our home.  Her sunny disposition and true appreciation for our home surely came across when speaking to potential buyers.  We are truly grateful for Bonnie's service and would highly recommend anyone looking to buy or sell their home in the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding area to reach out to her for help with their home. 

I hope these tips help ensure that your home is presented in the best possible way to potential buyers when you plan to sell. Remember, the goal of staging is to make your home feel spacious, inviting and neutral so that potential buyers can see themselves living there. With a little effort, you can help your home stand out from the competition and sell it for the best possible price.

If you'd like to see more interior decorating related content, be sure to join our Design Tribe.  We send interior decorating tips regularly, along with exclusive offers.  We'd love for you to join our community. 

And if you've recently purchased a home and you'd like help creating your a beautiful home interior, we'd LOVE to help you. Check out our virtual interior design services to learn more.

To view some of our  projects and learn how clients felt about the services we offer visit our portfolio here and testimonials here.

 
And for the DIYers out there that like to take the glory when it comes to decorating your space check out my DIY Interior Design Course. I teach my step-by-step interior decorating process so that you can complete your project as smoothly as possible while avoiding potentially costly mistakes. 

P.S.  Painting your house any time soon?  Get our FREE Perfect Paint Colour Checklist & Coordinating Paint Colours Guide!