Home staging basics
It never ceases to amaze me that many buyers are genuinely put off by things like cobwebs, tatty carpet or dog hair. Very often I've seen properties that have languished on the market for months which are basically fine, it's just that they are badly presented. The majority of buyers can't see past the nasty wallpaper or smell of cigarette smoke, so move on to the next property.
This is what 'home staging' is all about. If you want to sell your property, you need to make it as desirable as possible. In other words, present your potential buyer with a glimpse of the 'lifestyle' they are buying into. It's a simple concept, and one that has been talked about in countless TV shows. There are even 'house doctors' that you can hire to come in and make your property look like a show home. But honestly, you just need a good dose of common sense and a bit of time. It's not difficult to get any home into the right shape to go on the market and sell successfully. You just need to know how...
First Impressions
You may have heard people talking about 'kerb appeal'. This is the industry term for the image that the property presents when you look at it from the road. This is critical – most people make a decision about whether or not they like the 'feel' of a property within thirty seconds of seeing it from the outside.
Take a look at your front door – consider repainting to bring it up to scratch. All other exterior paintwork should be in good condition. At the very least, make sure your windows are clean and sparkling. Now turn your attention to your garden - ideally, get some bedding plants to add temporary colour - and mow the lawn regularly.
Make sure you clear up any littered kids' toys or dog deposits – nothing is worse than a buyer walking in something undesirable or tripping over as they take a tour of the grounds. If you have decking or a patio, show it off to its fullest advantage with strategically placed garden furniture to create an outside entertaining zone. De-clutter anything personal, so the gnomes and washing line with your underwear flapping in the breeze have to go.
Spotless Sells!
Without wishing to sound like your Mum, you need to make sure that your property is absolutely immaculate when you're trying to sell. Nasties like cigarette smoke, pet smells, cooking odours – none are appealing to any buyer. Bowls of stale dog food and stinky pet beds in kitchens are another big no-no. You need your property to look and smell like you could eat your dinner off the floor – in any room.
Make sure you air the place thoroughly before any viewings to get rid of any musty or damp aromas, particularly in bathrooms. Don't do the classic thing and make fresh coffee before you have a viewing, as that trick has been done to death and most people are wise to it. Just make sure the place smells clean and neutral – no heavy air fresheners or overpowering incense to mask anything unpleasant.
Obviously, it goes without saying that you need to have a big spring clean before the property goes on the market and then keep up the good work with a weekly session. Yes, I know it's a pain, particularly when you're busy, but you want to sell the place, don't you?
Clear That Clutter
When a prospective purchaser considers a property, part of the thought process is 'What would it be like to live here?' In other words, the buyer needs to visualise how their furniture and personal belongings would work in each room.
New-home builders have developed highly sophisticated strategies in terms of showing off a property to its best advantage. Go into any showhome and you'll notice that there are a few decorative items on key areas like mantelpieces and windowsills (which are generally there to draw your eye to points of detail). But are there ornaments everywhere you look? No. Are there lots of pictures and decorative objects on every wall? No. Are the rooms full of furniture? No. And there's a very good reason why – the builder wants you to see the full scale of the room, and the furniture and decorations are there to purely demonstrate how the living space can be used.
Now apply the same principles to your home. For the time you are on the market, pack away the hoard of trophies or the collection of china cats that cover your mantelpiece. By all means, I'll let you leave a couple of pictures up, but anything hugely personal needs to be packed away, like the pictures the kids painted for you seven years ago that still adorn the kitchen. Your home needs to be as blank a canvas as you can make it – teddy bears on the bed when you're over fifteen is strictly a no-no.
Perfect Your Paintwork
Depending on how much budget you have available, if you can it pays to spend a small amount sorting out any areas in your property which aren't quite up to scratch. For example, if the hall carpet has seen better days, replace it. Likewise, if paintwork looks tired, a bit of emulsion will freshen a room up very quickly.
While we're on the subject of paint, if you've gone for a more unusual colour anywhere (burgundy lounges, purple bedrooms, you know the score!) think carefully about keeping the colour scheme in place when marketing a property. You want all walls to be as neutral as possible – remember, you are trying to create a backdrop against which potential buyers can visualise their belongings in the place.
Unless you have spent a fortune on an interior designer and had it professionally decorated (in which case the property is probably in fantastic shape to be marketed) a few cans of paint could be a great investment. There are literally hundreds of neutral tones of paint available, so you are bound to find something that will work with your current curtains and flooring. Try and avoid white if you can though – it only works in a very few properties with specifically chosen furniture and lighting, and generally looks industrial and stark which isn't quite the atmosphere you are trying to create.
There you go then! It's not going to cost you a fortune or lots of time to achieve a well-presented home that's ready for the market. Yes, I know it's tempting to take the whole 'if they love the house they'll buy it regardless' approach, but trust me, if you do, chances are your property will be one of those that sits on the market for weeks. One last thought though – the more clearing out you do to get your house ready to sell, the less packing you'll have to do when you move. See? You know it makes sense!