When you start looking around at the clutter your home has collected over the years, however, sometimes prepping for a sell can feel a bit daunting. In some cases, you don't even see it. Intellectually you know you have "stuff", but in your eyes, everything is in its place.
So, how should a seller prepare their home (and their mindset) for the actual sell?
Preparing is "Pre-Packing"
When you sell your home, you're going to pack up and move out. The best approach is to box up and donate as much as you can to both prepare your home to show and to prepare for your actual move. If you haven't used it in a month or two, it can go. You may feel like your home looks a little barren after all this packing - that's okay, it's a good thing.
Don't worry so much about the big furniture pieces, because without furniture, a home can look rather empty. Instead, focus on putting away your collection of magneted notes and coupons on the fridge, or the stack of old magazines on your end table, and especially, personal items (more on this below). When a buyer comes to look at your house, they want to see a product they can move into, not a place that is "in use".
Switch Your Thinking from "My Home" to "My Product"
Even though you haven't yet sold your home, it is time to start thinking about your space as something that is no longer yours.
Though you're still using your shower, for example, it is best to make it look like it is as freshly cleaned and infrequently occupied. Throw out or conceal lotions and potions that you may keep out in the open normally, and have a freshly laundered towel ready for display purposes.
Hire a Staging Artist for a Consultation
Many people believe that hiring a staging artist is too expensive to include in their sell process, but in reality, there are staging options that are exceptionally affordable while still exceptionally useful.
You can, for example, have a staging artist simply come in for a consultation. They will look at your current space and give you a rough plan of what you can do with the space to make it show best to a potential buyer. They can give you suggestions based on the furniture and decor you already have, or offer affordable suggestions - such as a throw pillow or a decorative plant - to better showcase the space.
Hiring a staging artist has been shown to greatly help the sell of a home, and will expedite your process immensely.
Pack Up Your "Personal" Items
Religious items, family photos, trendy art, or any other personal items that you may have acquired around the home should be stored away before you intend to start selling your home. This will not only be protecting your privacy, but also be clearing the way for buyers to begin imagining themselves living in the space.
Looking to sell and have questions about your space? Don't hesitate to send me an email or give me a call!
No comments:
Post a Comment