Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Eileen Summers, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.Phone: (703) 244-3190
Email: [email protected]

Cost-Effecting Ways of Staging Your Home to Sell

by Eileen Summers 04/12/2020

Making a good first impression on prospective home buyers is the key to getting your house sold within a relatively short period of time. Once your house is on the market, you'll want to make sure any major flaws, aesthetic issues, and potential buyer turnoffs have been fully addressed before the first prospects walk through your front door.

Although serious house hunters often return for a second -- and sometimes third -- walkthrough of your home, first impressions determine whether they'll be back for another look.

Since time is of the essence and you may be on a limited home improvement budget, it's necessary to prioritize the projects that will have the most impact on the image you project. When it comes to making cost-effective decisions on preparing your house for showings, your real estate agent can provide helpful insights and objective advice. Seasoned agents can size up a property within minutes and identify ways to improve the look and feel of your home. Although every homeowner is going to have a different set of priorities and issues to deal with, there are a few focal points that would apply to just about everyone.

Curb appeal: To attract the maximum number of prospects to your home (and to put them in a receptive state of mind when viewing your house), it's essential that your property looks well maintained. In addition to having a manicured lawn and bushes that are neatly trimmed, your curb appeal also depends on the condition of your driveway, walkway, and house foundation. The appearance of weeds, cracked surfaces, and peeling or faded paint are sure to be seen as "red flags" to many people and will detract from the impression your home conveys.

Clutter control: Getting a handle on clutter in and around your house is a vital aspect of enhancing its appearance and marketability. Whether you're dealing with storage areas that are jam-packed to the hilt, too much furniture in your living room, or a front yard that's littered with bicycles, lawn equipment, toys and junk vehicles, clutter is a visual cue to people that "something is wrong here!" Clutter inside your house can cause rooms to look smaller and living space to appear as chaotic and uninviting. Even clutter in garages, basements, closets, and attics can send the wrong message to potential house hunters. On the other hand, uncluttered space is like "a breath of fresh air," and can go a long way toward winning over one or more interested prospects.

General recommendations: While everyone's situation is different and unique, cleanliness, proper room lighting, and basic home staging techniques can help maximize your chances for a successful showing. Applying a fresh coat of paint, where needed, also increases the eye-appeal of everything from your front steps and hallways to bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen areas. Thoroughly steam-cleaning carpets and refinishing faded hardwood floors can also be cost-effective ways to bring out the full potential of your home

About the Author
Author

Eileen Summers

• 23 years of highly successful Real Estate Experience in Northern Virginia • Expertise in the Northern Virginia marketplace • Excellent technology skills • Enthusiastic and Professional • Top Quality Service A 30 year resident of No. Virginia and a Graduate of the REALTORS Institute, Eileen is a Lifetime Member of the L&F Founder's Club as well as a Lifetime Member of the President's and Chairman's Club, and on the L&F Gold Team. She is an NVAR Life Top Producer and a Life member of the NVAR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club. Her excellent knowledge of the marketplace combined with experience, enthusiasm, technical knowledge, and professionalism provide clients and customers with top quality service. E-mail or phone Eileen for more information on her listings and/or for a free computerized Market Analysis of your home (Northern Virginia area homes). • 20 Years Real Estate experience in Northern Virginia • Expertise in the Northern Virginia Marketplace • Excellent all-round Technology Skills Specialities: • New Construction • Resale Residential • Specializes in Relocations