If you are planning to sell your home and downsize in the Kansas City area, you’ll want to make sure that it looks its best before prospective buyers come to visit. Staging your home can make a big difference in how it looks and how quickly it sells. Buyers are often drawn by “model homes” that have tasteful, well-thought out decor and accents and lacking clutter. Hiring a professional stager, however can be costly and may not make sense. Fortunately, there are some clever hacks you can use to stage your home like a pro, without breaking the bank. Here are seven of the best ways you can stage your home when selling your house in Kansas City.
1. Declutter and Depersonalize the Space
One of the first things you should do when staging your home is to declutter and depersonalize it. This is a natural part of the downsizing process anyway and will make your move even simpler. Your home will photograph better and appear more spacious and clean when its not filled with clutter. This means removing any personal items, such as family photos and knick-knacks, items overwhelming wall and floor space and getting rid of any excess clutter. This will help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the space and make it easier for them to see the home’s features. It will also give you a head start when your moving day comes and make cleaning and maintaining it easier.
2. Make it Sparkling Fresh & Clean
Cleaning your home thoroughly is another essential step in staging it after your decluttering is complete and another part of downsizing. Make sure to clean every surface, including floors, walls, and ceilings, baseboards and ceiling fans, windows and mirrors. Pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, as these are areas that buyers will scrutinize. Make sure all surfaces are spotless, and there are no lingering odors. The goal is to make your home feel inviting, while also clean enough to impress even the most discerning guests. Don’t forget the oven, dishwasher, microwaves, top of your cabinets – and an area often forgotten…behind your washer & dryer. If you aren’t able to clean like a pro, many sellers choose do hire professionals that can – and we highly recommend it! Be sure to ask for a deep or move out clean!
3. Rearrange Your Furniture
Rearranging your furniture can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels. If you are planning to sell, donate, or give away some of your furniture while you are downsizing in Kansas City – now is a great time. Consider rearranging your furniture to create a more open and inviting space. This may mean removing some pieces of furniture or moving them to different locations. Too much furniture in a room or a recliner blocking a pathway or exit looks cluttered and won’t photograph well. Imagine how a decorator would arrange furniture in a space. The home should feel open, and easy to navigate.
4. Add Some Greenery
Adding some greenery to your home can make it feel more inviting and add some life to the space. Greenery can invoke a spa feeling and add texture to your space. Consider adding some potted plants or fresh flowers to your living room, dining room, or kitchen. Ask your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® for recommendations as we want to minimize bringing in more “stuff” now matter how beautiful it is! that you don’t want to bring to your new space. Make sure the plants are healthy and well-maintained. Just avoid flowers with heavy pollen or a strong aroma as this may ignite allergies in your potential buyers.
5. Use Neutral Colors
Using neutral colors when staging your home can help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. Neutral colors, such as beiges, ecrus and whites create a clean and fresh look that appeals to a wide range of buyers. While greys had their season in recent years – we aren’t seeing them in new construction in the greater Kansas City area currently. Consider repainting any rooms that have bold or bright colors with a more neutral shade. Curious about color recommendations? Just ask!
6. Enhance Your Lighting
Lighting can have a big impact on how your home looks and feels. Make sure to maximize natural light by opening curtains and blinds and removing any obstructions. Be sure that all light bulbs are working and are the same color in light fixtures and that they are the same color (soft white & amber look differently and stand out when buyers walk into a space) Consider adding some additional lighting, such as table lamps or floor lamps, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
7. Add Some Finishing Touches
Adding some finishing touches can help your home look more polished and put together. Discuss a game plan with your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® and ask them if they include staging accents with your listing plan as you prepare to downsize. Consider adding some decorative pillows or throws to your couch or bed, hanging some artwork on the walls, or placing some decorative items on your shelves. However, make sure not to go overboard, as too many decorative items can make your home feel cluttered. The items you add should be simple and refined.
Staging your home is an essential step in the home-selling process. By using these clever hacks, you can stage your home like a pro without breaking the bank. Remember to declutter and depersonalize, clean thoroughly, rearrange your furniture, add some greenery, use neutral colors, enhance your lighting, and add some finishing touches. With some hard work and dedication, you can sell your home quickly and at a great price. Are you ready to sell your house in Kansas City, reach out to the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and BD Real Estate Solutions team to find out how we can help you. 913-232-3383
