Staging your home to sell

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - With the largest number of buyers actively searching for a new home during the warmer months, staging your house will help you stand out above the flood of listings in the real estate market.

Sydney Weaver-Bey, from homes.com , gave us some tips on how to effectively stage your home.

Staging makes your house look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, and most importantly, it makes homebuyers want to buy it.

1. C lean, Clean, Clean! - A clean, clutter-free house is very welcoming to potential buyers.

• Clean the house from top to bottom.
• Pay special attention to windows and mirrors-make them shine!
• Don't forget to look up, most people forget to clean ceilings, and fans but make sure to do so because dust collects there the quickest.
• Wax wood floors and bleach tile grout.
• Pay attention to drapes, curtains and blinds. Be sure to store personals like photos, memorabilia, etc.

2. Curb appeal - The exterior of your house is the first thing potential buyers will see. Make sure it is inviting by creating a bright, clean facade.

• Pressure wash siding 
• mow the lawn diagonally, to make it appear larger and edge along the sidewalks.
• Pull any weeds that have grown through the cracks
• Trim bushes back
• Plant a garden or buy container plants

3. Entry-way - If the first impression of the house isn't a good one, potential buyers will carry that negativity with them through the house. Make certain the entryway is inviting.

• Place potted plants outside close the step and/or landing, the cheapest ones are the ones that are in season and indigenous to the area
• Polish door handles
• Fix railings and clean the entrance area
• Stage the inside of the entryway with a clean doormat, a coat rack and umbrella stand.

4. Brighten up! - Once inside, buyers will pay attention to the atmosphere. It should be warm, inviting and clutter-free. The main goal is for the buyers to envision themselves in the space.

• Brighten things up with simple fixes like fresh flowers and bright pillows and throws for pops of color.
• Open windows and blinds to let air and light in. A bright and airy space is very welcoming.  

5. Living area - Choose neutral tones for the walls and furniture. If your furniture could use a pick-me-up, slipcovers are a great and inexpensive way to spruce it up.

• Use colorful pillows and throws as an accent
• In the kitchen, clean like your life depends on it!
• Remove anything from the countertop that is not affixed
• Pay attention to detail like fixtures including faucets, cabinet handles etc. Update them if you can but at the very least make sure they are clean and shiny.

6. Dining room - Set your dining room table as if you were preparing for guests to arrive.

• A beautiful and easy centerpiece to use is a vase full of fresh flowers
• Use brightly colored plates to set the table

7. Master bedroom - The master bedroom should be well appointed but should neither be too girly nor too masculine. You want a gentle mix of both so that homebuyers can feel comfortable.

• Limit furniture to the essentials to make the space appear larger; typically, a bed and dresser will do 
• Decorate in neutral tones with pops of color for added flair

8. Bathroom - Bathrooms are a key component of home sales. Clean yours thoroughly and update what you can.

• Handles, fixtures and towels can be easily updated and add style
• Make sure to thoroughly clean the shower head, tub and door (or curtain)
• Adding fresh flowers to the vanity (if there's room) is a great way to add color and brightness.

  9. Open Houses

• When your real estate agent has an open house, make sure they provide refreshments for guests like water, coffee, snacks, cookies, etc.
• batch of freshly baked cookies creates a sense of warmth when buyers enter your house and are a great treat for buyers who have been touring homes all day.
• Finally, make sure your real estate agent has put balloons out, so buyers can find the home easily.

10. Stand out!

• Work with your real estate agent to make sure advertising is done in color printing for postcards and newspaper ads.
• It will make your ad stand out from the rest.