When it comes to selling a property, homeowners tend to emphasize specifics such as the number of rooms, the year of construction, the size of the yard, and so on. But there is also an emotional aspect to buying a home, which often gets overlooked. Can the buyer imagine living there? Are there any details that may put them off? This is where home staging comes into the picture. By staging your home for a sale, you can highlight its best features, remove visual distractions, and leave a lasting first impression in buyers' minds, and in doing so, sell your property faster.
Selling your home this spring? Then read on for 7 of our favorite home staging tips for Los Angeles County homes for sale from Park Regency.
7 Tips on How to Stage Your Los Angeles County Home for Spring
» Declutter Your Space
How do I prepare my property for staging? A wise rule to follow is to put yourself in the buyer's shoes. If you were a stranger walking through the house, what would catch your attention? An interesting piece of art or a bouquet of flowers? What would put you off? Personal items and clutter?
Decluttering is the first step to creating a welcoming space. It involves removing unnecessary objects (even the ones you are emotionally attached to) which may be off-putting to anyone else. For example, you may be proud of your book collection, but a cluttered bookshelf may be too much for others. It is better to leave only a few books on display so the buyer can imagine adding their own.
The same goes for personal items such as children's art, fridge magnets, and football trophies. If your home is filled with your memories, there is no room for new ones. So dodge the personal items and add warmth with unique, original artwork, neutral textiles, and a splash of color here and there.
» Upgrade Your Kitchen Appliances
Investing in new kitchen appliances just before selling your home seems counterproductive. However, replacing some of your equipment is the easiest way to freshen up your kitchen while also more cost-effective than redoing the tiles. You can entice buyers by adding a few high-quality kitchen appliances that blend in with the space or upgrade your sink fixtures and stove without having to renovate the entire kitchen.
» Remove Bulky Furniture
When it comes to home staging, less really is more. Remove heavy, square-shaped furniture that can make your house feel cramped and replace them with a few more delicate, circular pieces. They will help create flow and make the rooms look larger, allowing the buyer to see the full potential of the house. Add some mirrors to open up the space even more, and use neutral colors for textiles to create a sense of lightness.
» Give Each Room a Function
If there are rooms in your home you haven't used before, now is the time to give them a purpose! Staging unused rooms will increase the perceived value of the property, as it gives buyers the impression that they have plenty of space for their activities. For example, a nice guest room, family room, or multimedia room is much more welcoming than a drab, half-furnished room filled with moving boxes or gym equipment.
» Use Natural Light
When staging your home, use natural sunlight whenever possible. Natural light creates warmth and adds to the appeal of the space. Letting the light in through all your windows will also help your home feel bigger, fresher, and more comfortable. If some rooms feel dark despite all the natural light, consider painting walls in lighter hues and using more lightweight furniture and textiles. As a last resort, you can turn on the lights during buyers' visits to make the room feel more spacious and brighter.
» Set the Scene with Props
Props are a great way to spark the imagination of buyers. Styling your dining table, for example, helps them imagine entertaining their own guests in the space. However, if you're still living in your home, you may find it challenging to stage the dining table several times a week. In this case, you can set the scene with the dinnerware on a serving tray and some fresh flowers.
Staging your home with fresh flowers is always a great idea if you're selling your home in the spring: it improves people's mood, makes the space feel more welcoming, and can emphasize the style of the house, whether rustic, sophisticated, or exotic.
When it comes to staging your home in the spring, don't forget to replace heavy winter fabrics with throws, curtains, and rugs in neutral tones and light materials. Remember that less is more; add just a few pieces to create a mood and leave the rest to the buyer's imagination.
» Enhance Your Curb Appeal
Our list of spring home staging tips wouldn't be complete without looking at your home's exterior. No matter how tastefully you've staged the inside of your home, it's the outside that makes a lasting first impression! So don't neglect the front yard: tend to the lawn and create a welcoming atmosphere with new landscaping, planters, and flowerbeds. When it comes to the patio, leave only the essentials on display, remove any clutter, and decorate with a few flower pots for the spring.
Planning to Sell Your Home This Spring? Let Park Regency Help You!
Home staging is an important step in selling your home. By removing visual distractions and adding some stylish décor, you can highlight your home's best features, allowing buyers to imagine living there. On the other hand, by leaving clutter, personal items, outdated furniture, and appliances, you run the risk of turning buyers away from the sale.
If you're looking to sell your Los Angeles County home, you've come to the right place. Park Regency has been in the business since 1977, helping thousands of clients sell their homes in Los Angeles County, the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas.
Call 818-363-6116 today or fill out our online form and find out how our Los Angeles County real estate agents can assist you with selling your home this spring.