Even if you are selling a house for the first time, you’ve no doubt heard terms and phrases in the real estate industry, such as “curb appeal,” “staging” and “ambience.” When an agent brings buyers through to tour your home, your goal is to create a look and feel that enables prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in it. Some things are fairly obvious, like making sure there are no safety hazards in walkways or dirty dishes in the sink.
There are numerous other issues, however, that may not be so evident. These are small touches you can add when staging your home for showings. These seemingly minor details can have a major impact, creating a positive impression on a buyer.
Always do these things before each showing
A house should be clean and tidy for showings. It’s easy to remember the big things, like sweeping floors, wiping smudges off walls and appliances, and making sure the lawn and flower beds are neatly groomed. The following list includes seven small details that can enhance the ambience in your home:
- Make sure the toilet is clean, flushed and the lid is down.
- Empty all trash cans and wash them out, if needed.
- Clean the refrigerator and leave it as empty as possible, or organized and uncluttered if there are leftovers or condiments inside.
- Remove most, if not all, of your family photos and personal items from walls, mantle, coffee tables, etc.—these things make it difficult for a buyer to imagine himself or herself owning the home.
- Do not have a litter box or pet bowls within view and take your pets out of the house during showings.
- Enhance natural lighting as much as possible and make sure curtains are light, airy and neutral tones.
- Clean the oven.
Prospective buyers will open drawers, closets, appliances and anything else that conveys with the property. If you leave these areas in disarray, it is unlikely that a buyer will develop an emotional attachment to the home, which is necessary if you hope for an offer.
Save this post to use as a checklist
Whether you’re staging your home yourself or hiring a professional service or real estate agency to assist you, keep this blog post handy and review it before each showing, ensuring the tasks mentioned have all been completed. Paying attention to details like this helps create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere, which might inspire one or more buyers to make an offer!