Prepare your home for viewings in eight easy steps

Staging your home before a viewing can be one of the most important actions you can take to help maximize the value of your home once it’s on the market.

Preparing your home for prospective buyers can be a challenge, especially if you remain living in the property while it’s for sale.

If you’ve moved to your new home, you might find it a wise investment to hire a company that will dress your home. They’ll rent furniture for the length of the sales campaign, ensuring that it enhances the property’s best features.

As an experienced real estate agent in our neighborhood, I believe you can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home by presenting it in the best light, so below are eight hot tips to dress your home for sales success. 

  1. Back to nature – Homes that embrace the natural environment are the height of fashion. Consider placing indoor plants at strategic locations and using throw rugs of natural fibres. If you have time to paint your main living area, various shades of olive green are a popular highlight right now. Check sites like Pinterest or Houzz for  inspiration.
  2. Tray tricks – Bottles of various potions are often scattered untidily around the bathroom. Put them all together on a tray – the effect is dramatic, decluttering the room immediately.
  3. Throw rugs – It’s great to use rugs to add a splash of color, especially in bedrooms. If you can’t find a suitable rug to put at the end of your duvet, consider a vivid sheet or empty duvet cover to add visual texture to the room.
  4. Avoid symmetry – Ornaments on open shelves should vary in height to offer subtle visual interest. However, keep your knick-knacks to a minimum, as you want buyers to picture themselves in your home rather than feel they’re a visitor. 
  5. Plump the beds – Top hotels use this strategy: layer your beds to look as luxurious as possible. It will give each bedroom additional appeal.
  6. Declutter – Make sure your home is tidy and ready for visitors. A messy home looks small and inadequate.
  7. Let in the light – Move furniture away from the windows and pull back the curtains. Turn on all the lights. A home full of light always appears spacious.

Smell of success – It never hurts to enhance the impression of your home with scent. Some say you can’t beat the aroma of freshly baked cookies, but it does depend on the style of property we’re selling! A subtle diffuser with essential oil can do the trick.